Oseas 4:11-19

11 Fornicación, y vino, y mosto quitan el corazón.

12 Mi pueblo á su madero pregunta, y su palo le responde: porque espíritu de fornicaciones lo engañó, y fornicaron debajo de sus dioses.

13 Sobre las cabezas de los montes sacrificaron, é incensaron sobre los collados, debajo de encinas, y álamos, y olmos que tuviesen buena sombra: por tanto, vuestras hijas fornicarán, y adulterarán vuestras nueras.

14 No visitaré sobre vuestras hijas cuando fornicaren, y sobre vuestras nueras cuando adulteraren: porque ellos ofrecen con las rameras, y con las malas mujeres sacrifican: por tanto, el pueblo sin entendimiento caerá.

15 Si fornicarés tú, Israel, á lo menos no peque Judá: y no entréis en Gilgal, ni subáis á Beth-aven; ni juréis, Vive Jehová.

16 Porque como becerra cerrera se apartó Israel: ¿apacentarálos ahora Jehová como á carneros en anchura?

17 Ephraim es dado á ídolos; déjalo.

18 Su bebida se corrompió; fornicaron pertinazmente: sus príncipes amaron las dádivas, afrenta de ellos.

19 Atóla el viento en sus alas, y de sus sacrificios serán avergonzados.

Oseas 4:11-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 4

This chapter contains a new sermon or prophecy, delivered in proper and express words, without types and figures, as before; in which the people of Israel are summoned to appear at the tribunal of God, to hear the charge brought against them, and the sentence to be pronounced upon them, and which would be executed. They are charged with sins of omission and commission; with want of truth and mercy to men, and with ignorance of God; with swearing, lying, murder, theft, and adultery, Ho 4:1,2, the punishment threatened is the sword, famine, and pestilence; which should affect the whole land, and all creatures in it, men, beasts, fowls, and fishes, Ho 4:3, then the priests and false prophets are threatened with falling into calamities along with the people, and with rejection from their office, and forgetfulness of their posterity, and a taking away their glory from them, because of their striving with the true prophets; their rejection of knowledge; forgetfulness of the law of God; covetousness, adultery, and drunkenness, Ho 4:4-11, then the discourse is turned to the people again, who are charged with divination and idolatry, which is spiritual adultery; and therefore, by way of retaliation, their wives and daughters would be left to commit adultery and fornication, Ho 4:12-14, and the chapter is concluded with advice to Israel not to tempt Judah to sin; or to Judah not to do the like, after the example of Israel, who were backsliders, idolaters, left of God and alone; guilty of bribery, and the like shameful things, and would be suddenly filled with shame, Ho 4:15-19.