Hosea 9:9

9 They have sinned deeply, as in the days of Gabaa: he will remember their iniquity, and will visit their sin.

Hosea 9:9 Meaning and Commentary

Hosea 9:9

They have deeply corrupted [themselves], as in the days of
Gibeah
Not the false prophets and watchmen only; but rather Ephraim, or the ten tribes, through their means became extremely corrupt in principle and practice; they had most sadly degenerated, and were deeply sunk and immersed in all manner of wickedness, and rooted in it, and continued obstinate and incorrigible, so that there was no hope of reformation among them; they had got to as great a pitch of wickedness, and were guilty of the like uncleanness, lewdness, barbarity, and cruelty, as were acted by the men of Gibeah, with respect to the Levite and his concubine, ( Judges 19:1-30 ) ; for Gibeah of Benjamin is here meant, where the people asked a king, and rebelled against the words of the prophet, as some in Jarchi interpret it: [therefore] he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins:
that is, God, my God, as the prophet calls him in ( Hosea 9:8 ) , will not forgive and forget their sins; pardon being often expressed by a non-remembrance of sins; but will make inquiry after them, and visit them in a way of wrath and vengeance, and punish for them as they deserve: they being obstinate and impenitent, and persisting in their sins, like the men of Gibeah and Benjamin.

Hosea 9:9 In-Context

7 The days of visitation are come, the days of repaying are come: know ye, O Israel, that the prophet was foolish, the spiritual man was mad, for the multitude of thy iniquity, and the multitude of thy madness.

8 The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: the prophet is become a snare of ruin upon all his ways, madness is in the house of his God.

9 They have sinned deeply, as in the days of Gabaa: he will remember their iniquity, and will visit their sin.

10 I found Israel like grapes in the desert, I saw their fathers like the firstfruits of the fig tree in the top thereof: but they went in to Beelphegor, and alienated themselves to that confusion, and became abominable, as those things were, which they loved.

11 As for Ephraim, their glory hath flown away like bird from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.