Bible Commentaries
Hosea 11

Verse 1

I loved him. Compare Jeremiah 2:2 .Malachi 1:2 .

called My son, &c. = called to My son. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 4:22 , Exodus 4:23 ). App-92 . Quoted in Matthew 2:15 .

Verse 2

they. The callers: i.e. the prophets, &c. who called to them.

them. The Septuagint and Syriac read "Me".

they. Israel.

sacrificed = kept sacrificing. Compare Hosea 2:13 ; Hos 13:2 . 2 Kings 17:16 .

Verse 3

I taught, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 1:31 ; Deuteronomy 32:10 , Deuteronomy 32:11 , Deuteronomy 32:12 ). Compare Isaiah 46:3 .

go = walk. See Acts 13:18 margin

taking = I used to take.

I healed them. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 15:26 ).

Verse 4

I drew = I would draw.

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

take off = lift up, or loosen: viz. the straps which hind the yoke to the neck.

I laid meat = holding out [food] to him I let him eat.

Verse 5

not. Connect this with Hosea 11:4 , for he is to return to Assyria (Hosea 8:13 ; Hosea 9:3 ).

shall be = he [became].

Verse 6

branches. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for "sons", as being the progeny and defenders.

Verse 7

bent to backsliding. Compare Hosea 4:16 .

though they called them, &c. = though they call upon the Most High.

Most High. Hebrew. 'al.

none at all would exalt Him = He shall not altogether lift them up.

Verse 8

How . . . ? Figures of speech Erotesis and Pathopoeia. App-6 .

Admah . . . Zeboim. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 10:19 ; Genesis 14:2 , Genesis 14:8 . Deuteronomy 29:23 ). App-92 . These places are not mentioned elsewhere.

repentings = compassions.

Verse 9

I am GOD, and not man. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ): put both ways for emphasis. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 23:19 ). Compare Isaiah 55:8 , Isaiah 55:9 . Malachi 3:6 .

GOD. Hebrew. 'El. App-4 .

man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

in the midst = [will not come] into the midst. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 33:5 ). App-92 .

enter into = come against: i.e. as an enemy. The verse is not "nonsense", as alleged. The reference is to Hosea 11:8 .

the city: i.e. as I came against Sodom and Gomorrah.

Verse 10

walk after = return to. The Structure (p. 1215) shows that verses: Hosea 11:10 , Hosea 11:11 are not an "exilic insertion".

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

He shall roar = [when] He shall summon them with a lion's roar.

children = sons [of Israel].

tremble = come, or hasten, trembling.

from the west. Compare Zechariah 8:7 .

Verse 11

in their houses. Compare Ezekiel 28:25 , Ezekiel 28:26 ; Ezekiel 37:21 , Ezekiel 37:25 .

Verse 12

Ephraim compasseth Me, &c. The Structure (p. 1221) shows the change of subject in Hosea 11:12 Hosea 12:8 , which is "incorrigibility". The chapters are badly divided here.

with deceit. See Isaiah 29:13 .Ezekiel 33:31 .Matthew 15:8 , Matthew 15:9 . Mark 7:6 , Mark 7:7 .

Judah yet ruleth, &c. Compare 2 Chronicles 13:10-12 .

with the saints = with the Holy One. Hebrew, plural; so used elsewhere. Compare Joshua 24:19 . Proverbs 30:3 .