Osea 6:6-11

6 Poiché io amo la pietà e non i sacrifizi, e la conoscenza di Dio anziché gli olocausti.

7 Ma essi, come Adamo, han trasgredito il patto, si son condotti perfidamente verso di me.

8 Galaad è una città d’operatori d’iniquità, e coperta d’orme di sangue.

9 Come una banda di briganti aspetta la gente, così fa la congrega de’ sacerdoti: assassinano sulla via di Sichem, commettono scelleratezze.

10 Nella casa d’Israele ho visto cose orribili: là è la prostituzione d’Efraim! là Israele si contamina.

11 A te pure, o Giuda, una mèsse è assegnata, quando io ricondurrò dalla cattività il mio popolo.

Osea 6:6-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 6

This chapter gives an account of some who were truly penitent, and stirred up one another to return to the Lord, encouraged by his power, grace, and goodness, Ho 6:1-3; and of others, who had only a form of religion, were very unstable in it; regarded more the ceremonial law, and the external sacrifices of it, than the moral law; either that part of it which respects the love of the neighbour, or that which concerns the knowledge of God; and dealt treacherously with the Lord, transgressing the covenant, Ho 6:4-7; particularly the city of Gilead is represented as full of the workers of iniquity, and is charged with bloodshed, Ho 6:8; yea, even the priests were guilty of murder and lewdness, Ho 6:9; and Israel, or the ten tribes in general, are accused of whoredom, both corporeal and spiritual, with which they were defiled, Ho 6:10; nor was Judah clear of these crimes, and therefore a reckoning day is set for them, Ho 6:11.