Bible Commentaries
Hosea 11

Verse 1

11:1 When Israel {a} [was] a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

(a) While the Israelites were in Egypt, and did not provoke my wrath by their malice and ingratitude.

Verse 2

11:2 [As] they called them, so they {b} went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

(b) They rebelled and went a contrary way when the Prophets called them to repentance.

Verse 4

11:4 I drew them with cords {c} of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

(c) That is, friendly, and not as beasts or slaves.

Verse 5

11:5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his {d} king, because they refused to return.

(d) Seeing that they condemn all this kindness, they will be led captive into Assyria.

Verse 7

11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though {e} they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

(e) That is, the Prophets.

Verse 8

11:8 {f} How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as {g} Admah? [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, {h} my repentings are kindled together.

(f) God considers with himself, and that with a certain grief, how to punish them.

(g) Which were two of the cities that were destroyed with Sodom; De 29:23 .

(h) Meaning that his love with which he first loved them positioned him between doubt and assurance in terms of what to do: and in this appears his Fatherly affection, that his mercy toward his own will overcome his judgments, as he declares in the next verse.

Verse 9

11:9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I [am] God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not {i} enter into the city.

(i) To consume you, but will cause you to yield, and so have mercy on you: and this is meant of the final number who will walk after the Lord.

Verse 11

11:11 {k} They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

(k) The Egyptians and the Assyrians will be afraid when the Lord maintains his people.

Verse 12

11:12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with {l} God, and is faithful with the saints.

(l) Governs their state according to God’s word, and does not degenerate.