Bible Commentaries
Hosea 14

Introduction

Hosea 14:0

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see “Guide to Good Bible Reading”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compare your subject divisions with the four modern translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

Verses 1-3

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Hosea 14:1-3 1Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. 2Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him, “Take away all iniquity And receive us graciously, That we may present the fruit of our lips. 3”Assyria will not save us, We will not ride on horses; Nor will we say again, 'Our god,' To the work of our hands; For in You the orphan finds mercy.”

Hosea 14:1 “Return” This (BDB 996, KB 1427) is a Qal IMPERATIVE. “Return” is a recurrent theme in Hosea (e.g., Hosea 3:5; Hosea 5:4; Hosea 6:1; Hosea 7:10, Hosea 7:16; Hosea 11:5; Hosea 12:6; Hosea 14:1-2). True repentance brings physical and spiritual benefits! Remember that repentance is related to personal relationship (i.e., “return to the LORD your God,” e.g., Hosea 2:13; Hosea 4:6; Hosea 8:14; Hosea 13:6; Amos 4:6, Amos 4:9, Amos 4:10, Amos 4:11) as much as it is to rules! See Special Topic: Repentance in the Old Testament.

▣ “stumbled” The OT metaphor of footing is used to describe the spiritual life. Sure footing is a sign of a healthy spiritual life, while stumbling (BDB 505, KB 502, Qal PERFECT) is a sign of sin (cf. Hosea 5:5b; Isaiah 3:8; Isaiah 59:10, Isaiah 59:14; Jeremiah 46:6).

Hosea 14:2 “Take words with you and return to the LORD” This sentence (Hosea 14:1 in MT) has four Qal IMPERATIVES and one Piel COHORTATIVE. God demands that they respond appropriately!

1. “take” - BDB 542, KB 534

2. “return” - BDB 996, KB 1427

3. “say” - BDB 55, KB 65

4. “present” - BDB 1022, KB 1522 (Piel COHORTATIVE)

Notice the repetition of “take.” If Israel will truly repent then God will completely accept and restore them!

This refers to the sacrificial system (i.e., MT “our lips as bulls”). To better understand this phrase we should add “take words not lambs.” This affirms the proper restoration of Mosaic sacrifice.

▣ “Take away all iniquity” The VERB (BDB 669, KB 724, Qal IMPERFECT) is surrounded by IMPERATIVES. This phrase occurs several times (7) in the OT with God as its subject (cf. Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Psalms 32:5; Psalms 85:2; Isaiah 33:24; Hosea 14:2; Micah 7:18) and always means “remove iniquity” (cf. NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 162). It is a plea from truly repentant covenant people.

NASB, NKJV“And receive us graciously” NRSV“accept that which is good” TEV“accept our prayers” NJB“accept our wealth”

The variations in translations are due to the confusion over which meaning tob (BDB 373) should carry.

1. good, KB 371 I (LXX, NASB, NRSV, NJB)

2. speech, KB 372 IV (i.e., “take words” line 1; TEV, NET)

NASB“That we may present the fruit of our lips” NKJV“For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips” NKJV (footnote)“For we will offer the bull calves of our lips” NRSV“and we will offer the fruit of our lips” TEV“and we will praise you as we have promised” PESHITTA“then he will recompense you for the prayer of your lips” NJB“instead of bulls we will dedicate to you our lips” REB“we shall pay our vows with cattle from our pens” NET Bible“that we may offer the praise of our lips as sacrificial bulls”

The VERB basically means “to complete,” here to pay a vow (e.g., 2 Samuel 15:7; Psalms 50:14; Psalms 66:13; Psalms 116:14, Psalms 116:18; Isaiah 19:21). This refers to confession, prayer, and praise. This passage is used by modern Judaism to rationalize the place of prayer as a substitute for sacrifice (cf. Psalms 50:0; Psalms 69:30-31).

The above translation and interpretation, so popular among Jewish sources, reflects the Septuagint. The MT reads, “offer bulls.” The Hebrew is uncertain and the context must fill in the necessary gaps!

Hosea 14:3 “Assyria will not save us” In this verse there are allusions to political alliances and the things that human leaders tend to trust: (1) foreign alliances (Assyria's treaties, cf. Hosea 5:13); (2) military power (Egyptian horses, cf. Psalms 20:7); and (3) idols (“work of our hands,” i.e., Canaanite fertility gods).

▣ “To the work of our hands” Hosea ridicules idolatry in Hosea 4:12; Hosea 14:3; Isaiah in Isaiah 2:18, Isaiah 2:20; Isaiah 17:7-9; Isaiah 31:7; and Jeremiah in Hosea 10:3-5, Hosea 10:8-9, Hosea 10:14-15. This attitude reflects Exodus 20:4-5; Exodus 34:17; Leviticus 19:4; Leviticus 26:1; Deuteronomy 4:15-19, Deuteronomy 4:25; Deuteronomy 5:8.

▣ “For in You the orphan finds mercy” God is again depicted as a merciful parent as in Hosea 11:1-4 (cf. Psalms 68:5; Lamentations 5:3). The orphan represents the powerless and vulnerable people of society. God's people should care for these kinds of people (e.g., Exodus 22:21-24; Deuteronomy 10:18-19; Deuteronomy 14:29; Deuteronomy 16:11-12; Deuteronomy 24:17, Deuteronomy 24:19; Deuteronomy 26:12-13; Deuteronomy 27:19).

The VERB “finds mercy” (BDB 933, KB 1216, Pual IMPERFECT) is the same as one of Hosea's children (negated) in Hosea 1:6; Hosea 2:4, but mercy is restored in Hosea 2:1, Hosea 2:19, Hosea 2:23 and here! This is a covenant term like “My people” (cf. Hosea 1:9 vs. Hosea 2:1).

Verses 4-7

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Hosea 14:4-7 4I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them. 5I will be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon. 6His shoots will sprout, And his beauty will be like the olive tree And his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. 7Those who live in his shadow Will again raise grain, And they will blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Hosea 14:4 “I will heal their apostasy” In verses Hosea 14:4-8 God speaks! The VERB (BDB 950, KB 1272) is a Qal IMPERFECT. Healing is an OT metaphor for forgiveness (cf. Hosea 5:13; Hosea 6:1; Hosea 7:1; Hosea 11:3; Psalms 103:3; Isaiah 57:18; Jeremiah 3:22).

The term “apostasy” (BDB 1000) is literally “turning back” (cf. Hosea 11:7). It is used in Jeremiah for turning away from YHWH (cf. Jeremiah 2:19; Jeremiah 3:22; Jeremiah 5:6; Jeremiah 8:5; Jeremiah 14:7; Judah is called faithless in Jeremiah 3:6, Jeremiah 3:8, Jeremiah 3:11, Jeremiah 3:14; also notice Jeremiah 7:24). If Israel “turns back” (i.e., repents) from sin (cf. Hosea 14:1) YHWH will “heal their turning back” (i.e., apostasy) tendencies! His anger has “turned away from them” (cf. Deuteronomy 30:1-10). Notice the series of word plays on shub (BDB 996). See Special Topic: Apostasy (aphistçmi).

▣ “I will love them freely” This VERB (BDB 12, KB 17, Qal IMPERFECT) is parallel to heal in line 1. Grace (God's unchanging character), not merit (humans ever-changing heart and motives), is the key to the new covenant (cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-38). However, an initial and ongoing response is demanded, not only repentance and faith (cf. Deuteronomy 30:0; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:21), but also obedience (cf. Luke 6:46) and perseverance (cf. Rev. 2-3).

▣ “My anger has turned away from them” The term “anger” (BDB 60) is from “nose” or “face.” Anger can be seen in a red face and hard breathing. Here is an anthropomorphism for God's deep feelings.

There is a play on the word “turn back” or “return” (BDB 996) in this context:

1. return, Hosea 14:1

2. return to, Hosea 14:2

3. turn away, Hosea 14:4

4. also in Hosea 14:7

Hosea 14:5 “the dew” Dew (literal here, not like Hosea 6:4; Hosea 13:3) is the only source of moisture in Israel between the two rainy periods and is crucial for crops to mature. Verses Hosea 14:5-7 describe the agricultural signs of God's blessings (cf. Deut. 27-28).

There is a series of JUSSIVES in Hosea 14:5-6:

1. “blossom,” Hosea 14:5 - BDB 827, KB 965, Qal IMPERFECT - JUSSIVE in meaning

2. “will stake its roots,” Hosea 14:5 (i.e., will take root) - BDB 645, KB 697, Qal JUSSIVE

3. “sprout” (lit. “go”), Hosea 14:6 - BDB 229, KB 246, Qal IMPERFECT - JUSSIVE in meaning

4. “will be” - BDB 224, KB 243, Qal JUSSIVE

▣ “Lebanon” This is the land north of Israel called Phoenicia, whose capital is Tyre. It was famous for its trees. In this context

1. trees, Hosea 14:5 (parallel to city)

2. trees, Hosea 14:6 (parallel to olive trees)

3. wine, Hosea 14:7 (parallel to vine)

In context, this may be a veiled reference to Ba'al, who Jezebel from Tyre, brought into Israel. The fertility of Lebanon was from YHWH, not Ba'al (cf. Hosea 14:8).

Hosea 14:6-7 “olive tree. . .grain. . .vine” The three main crops of Palestine are olive oil, grains, and grapes. YHWH gave them this fertile land (e.g., Deuteronomy 8:7-9; Deuteronomy 11:9-12). These were from YHWH, not Ba'al! The restoration of God's people to the land flowing with milk and honey is described as agricultural abundance (cf. Amos 9:13-15), but in reality it is the intimacy of the interpersonal relationship that is the greatest joy of a restored and renewed people/family!

Hosea 14:7 “Those who live in his shadow” The VERB (BDB 442, KB 444, Qal PERFECT) means to sit or to dwell. This is a metaphor of (1) God as a mother bird who protects her young under her wings (cf. Psalms 17:8; Psalms 36:7; Psalms 57:1; Psalms 63:7; Matthew 23:27) or (2) because of the agricultural context of Hosea 14:5-7 and 8, this probably refers to God as a provider of a fruitful tree (cf. Hosea 14:8; Ezekiel 17:22-24). See Special Topic: Shadow As a Metaphor for Protection and Care.

It is YHWH, not Ba'al, who is the source of fertility and stability (cf. Hosea 14:8).

Verses 8-9

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Hosea 14:8-9 8O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a luxuriant cypress; From Me comes your fruit. 9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them.

Hosea 14:8 “what more have I to do with idols” This is a Hebrew idiom of rejection (e.g., Judges 11:12; 2 Samuel 16:10; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 17:18; 2 Kings 3:13; 2 Chronicles 35:21; John 2:4).

▣ “It is I who answer” Idols cannot answer, but YHWH can. This same VERB (BDB 772, KB 851) is used repeatedly in Hosea 2:21-22, which sets the stage for the great promise of Hosea 2:23!

▣ “and look after you” This VERB (BDB 1003 II, KB 1449, Qal IMPERFECT) has the connotation of “regard with watchful care,” (root “to bend down to look at”).

This same VERB is used in Hosea 13:7 with the connotation of “lie in wait to ambush” (cf. Jeremiah 5:26). Context is determinative!

The God of Israel is alive and attentive, while the gods of Canaan are lifeless idols of wood and metal who cannot see, hear, speak, move, or help!

▣ “I am like a luxuriant cypress” This is the only place in the OT that God is described as a tree.

▣ “From Me comes your fruit” YHWH, not Ba'al, is the source of blessing. What a tragedy when God's people do not know this truth.

Hosea 14:9 This is a wisdom proverb much like the book of Revelation, “Let him who has an ear hear.” The VERBS “understand” (BDB 106, KB 619) and “discern” (BDB 106, KB 122) are both JUSSIVES (the second in meaning, but not form). Hosea must be read more than once and enacted!

▣ “Whoever” This closing wisdom saying focuses on an individual (not corporate) response to Hosea's teaching. The nation was unable to repent, but individuals can respond to God's love appropriately! Choice is an individual covenantal concept (cf. Ezekiel 18:0). We are responsible individually because we must respond to God individually.

▣ “the ways. . .walk. . .stumble” Here are three terms that describe the life of faith in metaphors of physical walking (e.g., Proverbs 23:19). This reflects OT Wisdom Literature's “the two ways”: choose God, walk in Him and live or choose sin and walk in it (cf. Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Romans 8:4-5). The early church was originally called “the Way” in Acts. Biblical faith is a lifestyle. Eternal life has observable characteristics.

▣ “right. . .righteous” The Hebrew root is a “straight edge.” Today we would say a “ruler.” Therefore, all Hebrew words for “sin” refer to a deviation from this standard. The standard is God Himself! See Special Topic: Righteousness.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR CHAPTERS 13 AND 14

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.

1. Was Hosea against the concept of monarchy?

2. Why does Paul quote Hosea 13:14 in 1 Corinthians 15:0?

3. Describe the literary metaphors used in Hosea 14:9.

4. What two metaphors does Hosea use to describe God?

5. What is the central theme of the book?