Hosea 2:9

9 So I will take back my grain at harvest-time and my wine in its season; I will snatch away my wool and flax, given to cover her naked body.

Hosea 2:9 Meaning and Commentary

Hosea 2:9

Therefore will I return, and take away
Or, "take away again" F11; an usual Hebraism: my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof;
for though these are the gifts of God to men for their use, and to dispose of for the good of others; yet he retains his property in them, and can and will call them to an account for their stewardship; and, when he pleases, take away both their office, and the good things they were intrusted with, not making a right use of them; and this he does in his own appointed time and season, or at such a time when these are at the best, and the greatest good is expected from them, and which therefore is the more afflictive; as in the time of harvest and vintage, so Kimchi, when corn and grapes are fully ripe; or, as the Targum, in the time of the corn being on the floor, and of the pressure of the wine: and will recover my wool, and my flax,
given "to cover her nakedness"; or, "I will take away"; by force and violence, as out of the hands of thieves, and robbers, and usurpers, who have no right to them, being forfeited; these were given to cover her nakedness, but not to deck herself with for the honour of her idols, or to cherish pride and superstition; see ( Matthew 23:5 ) these were all taken away when the Romans came and took away their place and nation, ( John 11:48 ) . The Septuagint and Arabic versions give the sense as if these were taken, that they might not cover her nakedness,
or "shame"; but that it might be exposed, as follows:


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (ytxqlw bwva) "iterum capiam", Drusius; "recipiam", Liveleus.

Hosea 2:9 In-Context

7 She will pursue her lovers but not catch them. She will seek them but won't find them. Then she will say, 'I will go and return to my first husband; because things were better for me then than they are now.'
8 For she doesn't know it was I who gave her the grain, the wine and the oil; I who increased her silver and gold, which they used for Ba'al.
9 So I will take back my grain at harvest-time and my wine in its season; I will snatch away my wool and flax, given to cover her naked body.
10 Now I will uncover her shame, while her lovers watch; and no one will save her from me.
11 I will end her happiness, her festivals, Rosh-Hodesh, and shabbats, and all her designated times.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.