Bible Commentaries
Hosea 9

Verse 1

people = peoples.

gone a whoring: i.e. gone into idolatry. See note on Hosea 1:2 .

a reward = a love-fee. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 23:18 , "hire"). App-92 .

Verse 2

floor = threshing-floor.

winepress = wine fat. Hebrew. yekeb, the wine receptacle; not gath , the winepress. See note on Isaiah 5:2 .

new wine. Hebrew. tirosh. App-27 . Not same as Hosea 9:4 .

her. A special various reading called Sevir ( App-34 ), with some codices, one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, give "them"; some give "with her" in margin

Verse 3

return to Egypt. See Hosea 8:13 ; Hosea 11:5 . Compare Ezekiel 4:13 .

in Assyria. See 2 Kings 17:6 . 2 Kings 11:11 .

Verse 4

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 . Not same as in Hosea 9:2 .

bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6 , for all kinds of food.

of mourners. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 26:14 .Numbers 19:14; Numbers 19:14 ). App-92 . Hebrew. 'aven. A Homonym. See note on "Benjamin", Genesis 35:18 .

Verse 6

because of = from.

Egypt = [yet] Egypt. Compare Hosea 7:16 .

shall gather them up = shall rake them out [for manure, or for burning]; not for burial in their own land; this would be 'asaph. But here it is kabaz. (Jeremiah 8:2 .Ezekiel 29:5 .)

Memphis. The capital of Lower Egypt (near Cairo). Now Mitrahumy ; also called Noph.

tabernacles = tents. Hebrew. 'ohel ( App-40 .); "tents" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for the place where their tents were pitched.

Verse 7

The days of visitation are come. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:34 ). App-92 . Compare Luke 19:44 ; Luke 21:22 .

recompence = retribution.

know [it] = discover [her wickedness, when she said].

spiritual man = man of the Spirit: i.e. God's prophet, who is defined as a man in whom the Spirit of God was.

for the multitude, &c. = for great is thine iniquity, great is thine enmity.

iniquity = distortion. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .

hatred = provocation.

Verse 8

The watchman. Note the series of contrasts, what Ephraim had been, and what Ephraim had now become, which commences here; with remarks following each. See Hosea 9:10 and Hosea 9:13 ; Hosea 10:1 , Hosea 10:9 ; Hosea 11:1 ; Hosea 13:1 .

watchman. Used of a true prophet in Isaiah 21:6-11 .Jeremiah 6:17 ; Jeremiah 31:6 . Ezekiel 3:17 ; Ezekiel 33:7 .

was. Render: "Ephraim [was so], e.g. in Joshua's days.

my God: i.e. Hosea's God.

but = [but now].

the prophet: i.e. Ephraim.

is = is become.

his God. In contrast with Hosea's God.

Verse 9

the days of Gibeah. See Hosea 10:9 . This implies a common knowledge of the history of Judges 19:15 , &c.

therefore. Some codices, with three early printed editions (one Rabbinic, marg), read "now will He", &c.

He: i.e. Jehovah. App-4 . He will visit. Some codices read "that He may visit". Compare Hosea 8:13 .

Verse 10

I found, &c. Another contrast. See Hosea 9:8 .

they went, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 25:3 ). The history was well known, or this reference to it would be useless. App-92 .

Baal-peor. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 25:3 .Deuteronomy 4:3; Deuteronomy 4:3 ). Elsewhere only in Psalms 106:28 . Compare Joshua 22:17 .

that shame = that shameful thing: the 'Asherah and its worship. See App-42 .

their, &c. Supply the Ellipsis, and render: "became an abomination like their paramour".

Verse 11

from the birth, &c. = no birth, none with child, no conception.

conception. This particular word herayon occurs only here, and Ruth 4:13 . A similar word (Hebrew. haron) in Genesis 3:16 .

Verse 12

Though they bring up, &c Not "inappropriate after Hosea 9:11 ", but is part of the contrast commenced there.

children = sons.

will I bereave them. Ref to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:22 .Deuteronomy 28:41 , Deuteronomy 28:62 ).

when I depart from them = when I take command from them. Hebrew. sur, as in Hosea 8:4 , and Hosea 12:3 (see notes there). Not the same word as "withdraw" in Hosea 5:6 , which is halaz.

Verse 13

as I saw Tyrus. Another contrast. See note on Hosea 9:8 . The verse does not "defy explanation".

as = according as.

Tyrus. See Isaiah 23:0 .Ezekiel 26:0 , Ezekiel 27:0 , Ezekiel 28:0 .

Verse 15

wickedness. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

Gilgal. Compare Hosea 4:15 ; Hosea 12:11 . The place where Jehovah was rejected, and man's king set up; and where, on account of his impatience and disobedience Saul got his first message of his rejection (1 Samuel 13:4-15 ), and his second (1 Samuel 15:12-33 ). See note on Hosea 4:15 .

I hated them = have I come to hate them.

for the wickedness, &c. Compare Hosea 1:6 .

their princes are revolters. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ), for emphasis. Hebrew. sareyhem. sorerim. It may be Englished by "their rulers are unruly". Compare Isaiah 1:23 , where the same words are used.

Verse 17

they shall be wanderers, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:64 , Deuteronomy 28:65 ).