Hosea7
World English Bible · Public Domain
1When I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, also the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the thief enters in, and the gang of robbers ravages outside.
2They don’t consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their own deeds have engulfed them. 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 burning like an oven that the baker stops stirring, from the kneading of the dough, until it is leavened.
5On the day of our king, the princes made themselves sick with the heat of wine. He joined his hand with mockers.
6For they have prepared their heart like an oven, while they lie in wait. Their anger smolders all night. In the morning it burns as a flaming fire.
7They are all hot as an oven, and devour their judges. All their kings have fallen. There is no one among them who calls to me.
8Ephraim mixes himself among the nations. Ephraim is a pancake not turned over.
9Strangers have devoured his strength, and he doesn’t realize it. Indeed, gray hairs are here and there on him, and he doesn’t realize it.
10The pride of Israel testifies to his face; yet they haven’t returned to Yahweh their God, nor sought him, for all this.
11“Ephraim is like an easily deceived dove, without understanding. They call to Egypt. They go to Assyria.
12When they go, I will spread my net on them. I will bring them down like the birds of the sky. I will chastise them, as their congregation has heard.
13Woe to them! For they have wandered from me. Destruction to them! For they have trespassed against me. Though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
14They haven’t cried to me with their heart, but they howl on their beds. They assemble themselves for grain and new wine. They turn away from me.
15Though I have taught and strengthened their arms, yet they plot evil against me.
16They return, but not to the Most High. They are like a faulty bow. Their princes will fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue. This will 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