Hosea 8:8-14

8 Israel is swallowed up; now she is among the nations like something no one wants.

9 For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey wandering alone. Ephraim has sold herself to lovers.

10 Although they have sold themselves among the nations, I will now gather them together. They will begin to waste away under the oppression of the mighty king.

11 “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning.

12 I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something foreign.

13 Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to me, and though they eat the meat, the LORD is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.

14 Israel has forgotten their Maker and built palaces; Judah has fortified many towns. But I will send fire on their cities that will consume their fortresses.”

Hosea 8:8-14 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.

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 51:34
• 2. Jeremiah 22:28
• 3. S Jeremiah 2:18
• 4. S Genesis 16:12
• 5. S Jeremiah 22:20; Ezekiel 23:5; S Hosea 5:13
• 6. S Ezekiel 16:37; S Ezekiel 22:20
• 7. Jeremiah 42:2
• 8. Hosea 10:1; Hosea 12:11
• 9. S ver 1
• 10. S Jeremiah 7:21
• 11. S Jeremiah 6:20; Hosea 9:4
• 12. Hosea 7:2; Hosea 9:9; Amos 8:7
• 13. S Hosea 4:9
• 14. Hosea 9:3,6
• 15. S Deuteronomy 32:18; S Isaiah 17:10; S Hosea 2:13
• 16. S Psalms 95:6
• 17. Jeremiah 5:17; S Jeremiah 17:27; Amos 2:5