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. Deuteronomy 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 (Eze 37), 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. John 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.