Hosea 7 Study Notes

7:14 Israel’s wailing and slashing probably involved pagan rituals (1Kg 18:28; Ezk 8:14).

7:15 Here is the second of two contrasts between “I” and “they” in the passage (cp. v. 13). God had trained Israel to be a mighty nation, but they had turned their might against him.

7:16 Israel’s leaders were as helpful as a faulty bow that could not send arrows to hit the mark (Ps 78:57). Israel’s insolent tongue may refer to their bitter words against God or the prophets (2Ch 36:16). The consequent ridicule may be what they would experience when they sought help from Egypt (Hs 7:11) or when they were destroyed (v. 13).