Hosea 8

1 in gutture tuo sit tuba quasi aquila super domum Domini pro eo quod transgressi sunt foedus meum et legem meam praevaricati sunt
2 me invocabunt Deus meus cognovimus te Israhel
3 proiecit Israhel bonum inimicus persequetur eum
4 ipsi regnaverunt et non ex me principes extiterunt et non cognovi argentum suum et aurum suum fecerunt sibi idola ut interirent
5 proiectus est vitulus tuus Samaria iratus est furor meus in eis usquequo non poterunt emundari
6 quia ex Israhel et ipse est artifex fecit illum et non est Deus quoniam in aranearum telas erit vitulus Samariae
7 quia ventum seminabunt et turbinem metent culmus stans non est in eis germen non faciet farinam quod si et fecerit alieni comedent eam
8 devoratus est Israhel nunc factus est in nationibus quasi vas inmundum
9 quia ipsi ascenderunt ad Assur onager solitarius sibi Ephraim munera dederunt amatoribus
10 sed et cum mercede conduxerint nationes nunc congregabo eos et quiescent paulisper ab onere regis et principum
11 quia multiplicavit Ephraim altaria ad peccandum factae sunt ei arae in delictum
12 scribam ei multiplices leges meas quae velut alienae conputatae sunt
13 hostias adfer adfer immolabunt carnes et comedent Dominus non suscipiet eas nunc recordabitur iniquitatis eorum et visitabit peccata eorum ipsi in Aegyptum convertentur
14 et oblitus est Israhel factoris sui et aedificavit delubra et Iudas multiplicavit urbes munitas et mittam ignem in civitates eius et devorabit aedes illius

Hosea 8 Commentary

Chapter 8

Destruction threatened for the impiety of Israel. (1-4) For their idolatry. (5-10) Further threatenings for the same sins. (11-14)

Verses 1-4 When Israel was hard pressed, they would claim protection from God, but this would be disregarded. What stead will it stand in to say, My God, I know thee, if we cannot say, My God, I love thee, serve thee, and cleave to thee only?

Verses 5-10 They promised themselves plenty, peace, and victory, by worshipping idols, but their expectations came to nothing. What they sow has no stalk, no blade, or, if it have, the bud shall yield no fruit, there was nothing in them. The works of darkness are unfruitful; nay, the end of those things is death. The hopes of sinners will deceive them, and their gains will be snares. In times of danger, especially in the day of judgment, all carnal devices will fail. They take a course by themselves, and like a wild ass by himself, they will be the easier and surer prey for the lion. Man is in nothing more like the wild ass's colt, than in seeking for that succour and that satisfaction in the creature, which are to be had in God only. Though men may sorrow a little, yet if it is not after a godly sort, they will be brought to sorrow everlastingly.

Verses 11-14 It is a great sin to corrupt the worship of God, and will be charged as sin on all who do it, how plausible soever their excuses may seem to be. The Lord had caused his law to be written for them, but they cared not to know, and would not obey it. Man seems by the temples he builds to be mindful of his Maker, yet really he has forgotten him, because he has cast off all his fear; but none ever hardened his heart against God and prospered. So long as men despise the truths and precepts of God's word, and the ordinances of his worship, all the observances and offerings, however costly, of their own devising, will be unto them for sin; for those services only are acceptable to God, which are done according to his word, and through Jesus Christ.

Chapter Summary

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.

Hosea 8 Commentaries

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.