Hosea 8:1-10

1 Set the trumpet to your lips, for a vulture is over the house of the LORD, because they have broken my covenant, and transgressed my law.

2 To me they cry, My God, we Israel know thee.

3 Israel has spurned the good; the enemy shall pursue him.

4 They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but without my knowledge. With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction.

5 I have spurned your calf, O Sama'ria. My anger burns against them. How long will it be till they are pure

6 in Israel? A workman made it; it is not God. The calf of Sama'ria shall be broken to pieces.

7 For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads, it shall yield no meal; if it were to yield, aliens would devour it.

8 Israel is swallowed up; already they are among the nations as a useless vessel.

9 For they have gone up to Assyria, a wild ass wandering alone; E'phraim has hired lovers.

10 Though they hire allies among the nations, I will soon gather them up. And they shall cease for a little while from anointing king and princes.

Hosea 8:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 8

This chapter treats of the sins and punishment of Israel for them, as the preceding; it is threatened and proclaimed that an enemy should come swiftly against them, because of their transgression of the covenant and law of God, Ho 8:1; their hypocrisy is exposed, Ho 8:2; they are charged with the rejection of that which is good, and therefore should be pursued by the enemy, Ho 8:3; with setting up kings and princes without consulting the Lord, Ho 8:4; and with making of idols, particularly the golden calves, which would be of no use to them, disappoint them, and at last be broke to pieces, Ho 8:4-6; their seeking to their neighbours for help, and entering into alliances with them, are represented as vain and fruitless, and issuing in their ruin and destruction, Ho 8:7-10; their sins of multiplying altars, contrary to the law of God, and in contempt of it, and offering sacrifices to the Lord, are observed; and they with a visitation from him, Ho 8:11-13; and the chapter is concluded with some notice and Judah, the one building temples, and multiplying fenced cities, which should be by fire, Ho 8:14.