Hosea7
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1When I would heal Israel, then is the iniquity of Ephraim uncovered, and the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief entereth in, and the troop of robbers ravageth without.
2And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now have their own doings beset them about; they are before my face.
3They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.
4They are all adulterers; they are as an oven heated by the baker; he ceaseth to stir the fire, from the kneading of the dough, until it be leavened.
5On the day of our king the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine; he stretched out his hand with scoffers.
6For they have made ready their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.
7They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges; all their kings are fallen: there is none among them that calleth unto me.
8Ephraim, he mixeth himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
9Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, and he knoweth it not.
10And the pride of Israel doth testify to his face: yet they have not returned unto Jehovah their God, nor sought him, for all this.
11And Ephraim is like a silly dove, without understanding: they call unto Egypt, they go to Assyria.
12When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the birds of the heavens; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.
13Woe unto them! for they have wandered from me; destruction unto them! for they have trespassed against me: though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
14And they have not cried unto me with their heart, but they howl upon their beds: they assemble themselves for grain and new wine; they rebel against me.
15Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet do they devise mischief against me.
16They return, but not to him that is on high; they are like a deceitful bow; their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Hosea 7.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The manifold sins of Israel. (1-7). Their senselessness and hypocrisy. (8-16).
vv1-7
A practical disbelief of God's government was at the bottom of all israel's wickedness; as if God could not see it or did not heed it. Their sins appear on every side of them. Their hearts were inflamed by evil desires, like a heated oven. In the midst of their troubles as a nation, the people never thought of seeking help from God. The actual wickedness of men's lives bears a very small proportion to what is in their hearts. But when lust is inwardly cherished, it will break forth into outward sin. Those who tempt others to drunkenness never can be their real friends, and often design their ruin. Thus men execute the Divine vengeance on each other. Those are not only heated with sin, but hardened in sin, who continue to live without prayer, even when in trouble and distress.
vv8-16
Israel was as a cake not turned, half burnt and half dough, none of it fit for use; a mixture of idolatry and of the worship of Jehovah. There were tokens of approaching ruin, as grey hairs are of old age, but they noticed them not. The pride which leads to break the law of God leads to self-flattery. The mercy and grace of God are the only refuge to which obstinate sinners never think of fleeing. Though they may howl forth their terrors in the form of prayers, they seldom cry to God with their hearts. Even their prayers for earthly mercies only seek fuel for their lusts. Their turning from one sect, sentiment, form, or vice, to another, still leaves them far short of Christ and holiness. Such are we by nature. And such shall we prove if left to ourselves. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.
Key Words
רָפָא: properly, to mend (by stitching), i.e. (figuratively) to cure
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עָוֺן: perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
אֶפְרַיִם: Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
גָּלָה: to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
רַע: bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
שֹׁמְרוֹן: Shomeron, a place in Palestine
פָּעַל: to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise
שֶׁקֶר: an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
גַּנָּב: a stealer
Cross References
Hosea 7Direct parallel text: 'the pride of Israel testifieth to his face' repeated verbatim.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the core tragedy of people not returning to God despite severe national judgments.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Matches the specific judgment metaphor of God spreading His net to capture His rebellious people.
Supported by JFB
Illuminates secret sins being set 'before my face' in God's holy presence.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the devastating state where 'there is none that calleth upon thy name.'
Supported by JFB
Explains Ephraim's mixing with the nations and adopting their corrupt pagan practices.
Supported by JFB
Verbatim parallel to 'they are like a deceitful bow' in their spiritual unfaithfulness.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Sinner is ensnared and 'beset about' by the work of their own hands.
Supported by JFB
Thematic parallel of a sinner being taken and holden in the cords of his own sins.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Historical precedent for celebrating 'the day of our king' with royal feasting.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
New Testament example of royal birthday celebrations leading to sin and foolishness.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical fulfillment of Israel's foolish back-and-forth alliances with Egypt and Assyria.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the physician metaphor: God would have healed, but the incurable sickness was discovered.
Supported by Matthew Poole
New Testament parallel of rulers taking pleasure in and approving of wickedness.
Supported by JFB
Delineates the self-destructive consequences of wine and mockers stretching out hands.
Supported by Matthew Henry