Hosea 9:8

Tragic consequences

8 The prophet is God's watchman looking over Ephraim, yet a hunter's trap is set, covering all his ways, and rejection is in his God's house.

Hosea 9:8 Meaning and Commentary

Hosea 9:8

The watchman of Ephraim [was] with my God
Formerly the watchmen of Ephraim, or the prophets of Israel, were with the true God, whom the prophet calls his God; as Elijah and Elisha, who had communion and intimacy with him; had revelations and instructions from him; and were under the direction and inspiration of his Spirit, and prophesied in his name things according to his will, and for the good of his people: or "the watchman of Ephraim [should be] with my God"; on his side, and promote his worship and service, his honour and interest; and give the people warning from him, having heard the word at his mouth: but now they were not with him, nor for him, nor did as they should: or one that bore this character of a watchman in the ten tribes, pretended to be such a one, and would be thought to be with God, and to have his mind and will, and to be sincere for his glory: [but] the prophet [is] a snare of a fowler in all his ways;
the false prophet, the same with the watchman, instead of guiding and directing Ephraim in the right way in which he should go, lays snares for him in all the ways he takes, to lead him wrong, and draw him into sin, particularly into idolatry, both by his doctrine and example: [and] hatred in the house of his God;
and so became detestable and execrable it the house of his own god, the calf at Bethel, in the temple there: prophesying such things as in the event prove false, and drawing into such practices as brought on ruin and desolation. The Targum interprets it, of laying snares for their prophets, their true prophets; and Kimchi and Jarchi of slaying Zechariah the prophet in the temple.

Hosea 9:8 In-Context

6 Even if they escape destruction, Egypt will gather them, Memphis will bury them. Briars will possess their precious things of silver; thorns will be in their tents.

7 The days of punishment have come; the days of judgment have arrived; Israel cries, "The prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad!" Because of your great wickedness, your rejection of me is great.

8 The prophet is God's watchman looking over Ephraim, yet a hunter's trap is set, covering all his ways, and rejection is in his God's house.

9 They have corrupted themselves terribly as in the days of Gibeah; he will remember their wickedness; he will punish their sins.

10 Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. In its first season, like the first fruit on the fig tree, I saw your ancestors. But they came to Baal-peor, and worshipped a thing of shame; they became detestable like the thing they loved.