Hosea 5 Study Notes

Cognate languages indicate the root involves acting with violence. ‘Ashaq means oppress (Lv 19:13). It appears seven times with gazal (“rob,” Dt 28:29) and five with ratsats (“crush,” Dt 28:33). Monetarily oriented meanings are defraud (Lv 6:2), extort (Hs 12:7), exploit (Ezk 22:29), and deprive (Mc 2:2). People wrong others (1Sm 12:3). Rivers rage (Jb 40:23). Women are ravished (Is 23:12) and consciences burdened (Pr 28:17). Similar ‘asaq (“contend,” Gn 26:20) may be related. ‘Ashaq occurs three times with related ‘osheq (15x) as practice fraud/extortion (Ezk 18:18; 22:29) and what . . . he defrauded (Lv 6:4). ‘Osheq denotes oppression (Is 30:12) but can imply extortion (Jr 22:17) or exploitation (Ezk 22:7). Nominal ‘oshqah and ‘ashoq appear respectively as oppressed (Is 38:14) and oppressor (Jr 22:3). ‘Ashuqiym (2x) signifies (acts of ) oppression (Am 3:9; Jb 35:9). Ma‘ashaqqot (2x) suggests extortion (Is 33:15) and oppressive (Pr 28:16).

5:10 On the imagery of God’s fury like water, see Is 8:6-10.

5:11 This verse is difficult to translate. Crushed in judgment could be rendered “justice is crushed,” and what is worthless could be rendered “command” or “policy.”

5:12-13 Rot and decay are striking similes for God to use of himself. The term for “rot” can also mean “maggot” or “pus.” It pictures a man whose festering wounds were divinely inflicted. Israel’s efforts to heal these wounds through human means would be futile. This is the first of nine references to Assyria in Hosea.

5:14 The Lord’s power to destroy is contrasted with Assyria’s so-called power to deliver (Duane Garrett).

5:15 My place continues the imagery of God as a lion carrying its prey to its den. This picture of God’s departure is parallel to the message of v. 6.