Hosea7
New International Version
1whenever I would heal Israel, the sins of Ephraim are exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practice deceit, thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets;
2but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before me.
3“They delight the king with their wickedness, the princes with their lies.
4They are all adulterers, burning like an oven whose fire the baker need not stir from the kneading of the dough till it rises.
5On the day of the festival of our king the princes become inflamed with wine, and he joins hands with the mockers.
6Their hearts are like an oven; they approach him with intrigue. Their passion smolders all night; in the morning it blazes like a flaming fire.
7All of them are hot as an oven; they devour their rulers. All their kings fall, and none of them calls on me.
8“Ephraim mixes with the nations; Ephraim is a flat loaf not turned over.
9Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it. His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice.
10Israel’s arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this he does not return to the Lord his God or search for him.
11“Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless— now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria.
12When they go, I will throw my net over them; I will pull them down like the birds in the sky. When I hear them flocking together, I will catch them.
13Woe to them, because they have strayed from me! Destruction to them, because they have rebelled against me! I long to redeem them but they speak about me falsely.
14They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail on their beds. They slash themselves, appealing to their gods for grain and new wine, but they turn away from me.
15I trained them and strengthened their arms, but they plot evil against me.
16They do not turn to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow. Their leaders will fall by the sword because of their insolent words. For this they will be ridiculed 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