Verse 1

people = peoples.

gone a whoring: i.e. gone into idolatry. See note on Hosea 1:2.

a reward = a love-fee. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 23:18, "hire"). App-92.

Verse 2

floor = threshing-floor.

winepress = wine fat. Hebrew. yekeb, the wine receptacle; not gath, the winepress. See note on Isaiah 5:2.

new wine. Hebrew. tirosh. App-27. Not same as Hosea 9:4.

her. A special various reading called Sevir (App-34), with some codices, one early printed edition, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, give "them"; some give "with her" in margin

Verse 3

return to Egypt. See Hosea 8:13; Hosea 11:5. Compare Ezekiel 4:13.

in Assyria. See 2 Kings 17:6. 2 Kings 11:11.

Verse 4

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27. Not same as in Hosea 9:2.

bread. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), App-6, for all kinds of food.

of mourners. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 26:14. Numbers 19:14). App-92. Hebrew. "aven. A Homonym. See note on "Benjamin", Genesis 35:18.

Verse 6

because of = from.

Egypt = [yet] Egypt. Compare Hosea 7:16.

shall gather them up = shall rake them out [for manure, or for burning]; not for burial in their own land; this would be "asaph. But here it is kabaz. (Jeremiah 8:2. Ezekiel 29:5.)

Memphis. The capital of Lower Egypt (near Cairo). Now Mitrahumy; also called Noph.

tabernacles = tents. Hebrew. "ohel (App-40.); "tents" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, for the place where their tents were pitched.

Verse 7

The days of visitation are come. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:34). App-92. Compare Luke 19:44; Luke 21:22.

recompence = retribution.

know [it] = discover [her wickedness, when she said].

spiritual man = man of the Spirit: i.e. God"s prophet, who is defined as a man in whom the Spirit of God was.

for the multitude, &c. = for great is thine iniquity, great is thine enmity.

iniquity = distortion. Hebrew. "avah. App-44.

hatred = provocation.

Verse 8

The watchman. Note the series of contrasts, what Ephraim had been, and what Ephraim had now become, which commences here; with remarks following each. See Hosea 9:10 and Hosea 9:13; Hosea 10:1, Hosea 10:9; Hosea 11:1; Hosea 13:1.

watchman. Used of a true prophet in Isaiah 21:6-11. Jeremiah 6:17; Jeremiah 31:6. Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:7.

was. Render: "Ephraim [was so], e.g. in Joshua"s days.

my God: i.e. Hosea"s God.

but = [but now].

the prophet: i.e. Ephraim.

is = is become.

his God. In contrast with Hosea"s God.

Verse 9

the days of Gibeah. See Hosea 10:9. This implies a common knowledge of the history of Judges 19:15, &c.

therefore. Some codices, with three early printed editions (one Rabbinic, marg), read "now will He", &c.

He: i.e. Jehovah. App-4. He will visit. Some codices read "that He may visit". Compare Hosea 8:13.

Verse 10

I found, &c. Another contrast. See Hosea 9:8.

they went, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 25:3). The history was well known, or this reference to it would be useless. App-92.

Baal-peor. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 25:3. Deuteronomy 4:3). Elsewhere only in Psalms 106:28. Compare Joshua 22:17.

that shame = that shameful thing: the "Asherah and its worship. See App-42.

their, &c. Supply the Ellipsis, and render: "became an abomination like their paramour".

Verse 11

from the birth, &c. = no birth, none with child, no conception.

conception. This particular word herayon occurs only here, and Ruth 4:13. A similar word (Hebrew. haron) in Genesis 3:16.

Verse 12

Though they bring up, &c Not "inappropriate after Hosea 9:11", but is part of the contrast commenced there.

children = sons.

will I bereave them. Ref to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:22. Deuteronomy 28:41, Deuteronomy 28:62).

when I depart from them = when I take command from them. Hebrew. sur, as in Hosea 8:4, and Hosea 12:3 (see notes there). Not the same word as "withdraw" in Hosea 5:6, which is halaz.

Verse 13

as I saw Tyrus. Another contrast. See note on Hosea 9:8. The verse does not "defy explanation".

as = according as.

Tyrus. See Isa 23. Eze 26, Eze 27, Eze 28.

Verse 15

wickedness. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

Gilgal. Compare Hosea 4:15; Hosea 12:11. The place where Jehovah was rejected, and man"s king set up; and where, on account of his impatience and disobedience Saul got his first message of his rejection (1 Samuel 13:4-15), and his second (1 Samuel 15:12-33). See note on Hosea 4:15.

I hated them = have I come to hate them.

for the wickedness, &c. Compare Hosea 1:6.

their princes are revolters. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6), for emphasis. Hebrew. sareyhem. sorerim. It may be Englished by "their rulers are unruly". Compare Isaiah 1:23, where the same words are used.

Verse 17

they shall be wanderers, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:64, Deuteronomy 28:65).