Bible Commentaries
Hosea 6

Verse 1

let us return. These are the words of Israel in a yet future day, as already symbolized by the return of Gomer (Hosea 3:2 , Hosea 3:3 ), and foretold in Hosea 3:5 . See the Structure, p. 1213). This is the acknowledgment referred to in Hosea 5:15 . Deu 82:39 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

He will heal us. Compare Jeremiah 30:17 .

Verse 2

After two days: i. e. two days after this national repentance. See Hosea 5:15 , "till".

revive us = bring us back to life.

in = on.

live = live again in resurrection. Referring to the yet future resurrection of the new Israel (Ezekiel 37:0 ), which will thus resemble the resurrection of Messiah (1 Corinthians 15:20 ).

in His sight. Hebrew = before His face, as their sin had been (Hosea 7:2 ).

Verse 3

to know, &c. See note on Hosea 2:20 . Compare Hosea 4:1 .

His going forth. Compare 2 Samuel 23:4 .Micah 5:2 . Joh 16:28 .

prepared = sure, or fixed.

morning = dawn.

unto us. Compare Psalms 72:6 . Zechariah 9:9 , and Micah 5:2 .

as the rain. Compare Psalms 72:6 . Job 29:23 .

former rain. Ref to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 11:14 , Hebrew. yoreh). So rendered only there, here, and Jeremiah 5:24 . App-92 .

Verse 4

what . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis and Aporia. App-6 .

for. Some codices, with Syriac and Vulgate, read "and".

goodness = piety.

Verse 5

Therefore have I hewed them, &c. = This is why I hewed them. Hebrew idiom, by which the declaration that a thing should be done is spoken of the personal act of doing it. See note on Jeremiah 1:18 ; and compare Jeremiah 1:10 ; Jeremiah 5:14 .

by the prophets: i.e. declared by the prophets.

thy judgments are. A regrouping of the letters of the Hebrew word agrees with the Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, and reads "My judgment is". Hosea 6:5 speaks of Jehovah's acts (see Structure, above). Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 33:2 ). App-92 .

the light = light.

Verse 6

I desired, &c. Compare 1 Samuel 15:22 .Ecclesiastes 5:1 .Micah 6:8 .

mercy = lovingkindness. Quoted in Matthew 9:13 ; Matthew 12:7 .

not sacrifice. Compare Psalms 50:8 , Psalms 50:9 . Proverbs 21:3 .Isaiah 1:11 . Hebrew. zabach. App-43 .

the knowledge of God. Compare Jeremiah 9:23 , Jeremiah 9:24 ; Jeremiah 22:16 . See note on Hosea 2:20 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 7

like men. Hebrew like Adam.

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . Compare Job 31:33 .Psalms 49:12 ; Psalms 82:7 .

transgressed = rebelled. Heb 'abar . App-44 .

the covenant. See Joshua 24:1 , Joshua 24:25 .

Verse 8

iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven = vanity ( App-44 .) Referring here, to the sin of idolatry. Compare "Beth-aven", Hosea 4:15 .

polluted with = tracked with heel-marks of.

Verse 9

troops = gangs.

by consent = towards Sichem, as in Genesis 37:14 .

Sichem (like "Gilead", Hosea 6:8 ) was a city of priests (Joshua 21:21 ).

commit lewdness: i.e. practice idolatry. Jeroboam built Shechem (now Nablous), and doubtless set up his calf-worship there (1 Kings 12:25 ).

lewdness. Reference to Pentateuch (Hebrew. zimmah, is a Levitical word, found in Leviticus 18:17 ; Leviticus 19:29 ; Leviticus 20:14 , Leviticus 20:14 ). App-92 .

Verse 10

whoredom = idolatry. See note on Hosea 1:2 .

Verse 11

he hath set = there is appointed.

harvest: i.e. a reaping time of judgment. See Jeremiah 51:33 .Joel 3:13 ; and compare Proverbs 22:8 . Galatians 1:6 , Galatians 1:7 , Galatians 1:8 .

for thee. Some codices, with two early printed editions and Aramaean, read "for her".

returned = turned again.