Hosea10
English Standard Version
1 is a that its . The more his , the more he ; as his , he his .
2Their is ; they must bear their . The Lord will their and their .
3 they will : We have no , for we do not the Lord; and a — could he for us?
4They mere ; with they ; so like weeds in the of the .
5The of for the of . Its for it, and so do its — those who it and over its — for it them.
6The thing shall be to as to the . shall be , and shall be of his .
7 shall like a on the of the .
8The of , the of , shall be . and shall grow on their , and they shall to the , us, and to the , on us.
9From the of , you have , O ; they have . Shall not the against the them in ?
10When I , I will them, and shall be them when they are up for their .
11 was a that to , and I her ; but I will put to the ; must ; for himself.
12 for yourselves ; ; your , for it is the to the Lord, that he may and upon you.
13You have ; you have ; you have the of . you have in your own and in the of your ,
14therefore the of war shall among your , and your shall be , as the of ; were dashed in with their .
15 it shall be to you, O , of your great . At the of shall be .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Hosea 10.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The idolatry of Israel. (1-8). They are exhorted to repentance. (9-15).
vv1-8
A vine is only valuable for its fruit; but Israel now brought no fruit to perfection. Their hearts were divided. God is the Sovereign of the heart; he will have all, or none. Were the stream of the heart wholly after God, it would run strongly, and bear down all before it. Their pretences to covenant with God were false. Even the proceeding of justice was as poisonous hemlock. Alas, how empty a vine is the visible church even at this day! But all earthly prosperity is but a collection of bubbles, soon destroyed like foam upon the water. Sinners will in vain seek shelter from that Judge, whom they now despise as a Saviour.
vv9-15
Because God does not desire the death and ruin of sinners, therefore in mercy he desires their chastisement. The children of iniquity still remained in Israel. The enemies would be gathered against them. It is just with God to make those know what hardships mean, who indulge themselves in ease and pleasure. Let them cleanse their hearts from all corrupt affections and lusts, and be a broken and contrite spirit. Let them abound in works of piety towards God, and of justice and charity towards one another: herein let them sow to the Spirit. Seeking the Lord is to be every day's work, but there are special occasions when to seek him. Christ shall come as the Lord our righteousness, and grant us of it abundantly. If we sow in righteousness, we shall reap according to mercy; a reward not of debt, but of grace. Even the gains of sin yield the sinner no satisfaction. As our comforts, so our confidences in the service of sin will certainly fail us. Come and seek the Lord, and thy hope in him shall not deceive thee. See what cruel work war makes. Whatever mischief is done, it is sin that does it. What miseries men's sins bring on them, even in this world!
Key Words
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בָּקַק: to pour out, i.e. to empty, figuratively, to depopulate; by analogy, to spread out (as a fruitful vine)
גֶּפֶן: a vine (as twining), especially the grape
שָׁוָה: properly, to level, i.e. equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust (i.e. counterbalance, be suitable, compose, place, yield, etc.)
פְּרִי: fruit (literally or figuratively)
רֹב: abundance (in any respect)
מִזְבֵּחַ: an altar
רָבָה: to increase (in whatever respect)
אֶרֶץ: the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
טוֹב: good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
Cross References
Hosea 10Direct verbal echo of 'say to the mountains, Fall on us' during final cosmic judgment.
Supported by JFB
Jesus directly cites this verse ('say to the mountains, Fall on us') regarding Jerusalem's doom.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the proverbial metaphor of judgment springing up like poisonous hemlock/wormwood in plowed furrows.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Textual background linking false swearing and covenant breaking to a root bearing gall and wormwood.
Supported by JFB
Direct verbal echo connecting Israel's deep corruption to the historical outrage at Gibeah.
Supported by JFB
Verbal match: 'Break up your fallow ground,' emphasizing repentance before sowing spiritual seed.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallels the metaphor of Israel as a vine failing to yield fruit to God.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates the 'divided heart' that wavers between Yahweh and Baalism.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
New Testament parallel explaining that a divided heart cannot serve two masters.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Exposes Bethel's degradation by contemptuously renaming it Beth-aven ('house of vanity/iniquity').
Supported by JFB
Identifies King Jareb of Assyria, to whom Ephraim sent tribute, as their false protector.
Supported by JFB
The concrete historical account of the gross crime at Gibeah referenced in verse 9.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the image of empty, plundered vines ruined by external invaders.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Matches God's active, judicial 'desire' to chastise His disobedient people.
Supported by JFB
Theological fulfillment of the harvest principle: sowing in righteousness versus reaping corruption.
Supported by Matthew Henry