--- title: "Clarke" description: "Verse Hosea 5:1. Hear ye this, O priests — A process is instituted against the priests, the Israelites, and the house of the king; and they are called on" image: "/images/missing.jpg" url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/hosea/5" --- Verse [Hosea 5:1](../../../kjv/hosea/5/1). ***Hear ye this, O priests*** — A process is instituted against the *priests*, the *Israelites*, and the *house of the king*; and they are called on to appear and defend themselves. The accusation is, that they have *ensnared* the people, caused them to practise idolatry, both at *Mizpah* and *Tabor*. Mizpah was situated beyond Jordan; in the mountains of Gilead; see [Judges 11:29](../../../kjv/judges/11/29). And Tabor was a beautiful mountain in the tribe of Zebulun. Both these places are said to be eminent for *hunting*, &c., and hence the natural occurrence of the words *snare* and *net*, in speaking of them. Verse [Hosea 5:2](../../../kjv/hosea/5/2). ***The revolters are profound to make slaughter*** — Here may be a reference to the practice of *hunters*, making *deep pits* in the ground, and lightly covering them over, that the beasts, not discovering them, might fall in, and become a prey. ***Though I*****have been*****a Rebuker*** — "I will bring *chastisement* on them all." As they have made *victims* of others to their *idolatry*, I will make *victims* of them to my *justice*. Some have thought that as many as wished to depart from the idolatrous worship set up by Jeroboam, were *slaughtered*; and thus *Jeroboam the son of Nebat* *MADE Israel to sin*. Verse [Hosea 5:3](../../../kjv/hosea/5/3). ***I know Ephraim*** — I know the whole to be idolaters. Verse [Hosea 5:4](../../../kjv/hosea/5/4). ***They will not frame their doings*** — They never *purpose* to turn to God, they have fully imbibed the spirit of idolatry. Verse [Hosea 5:5](../../../kjv/hosea/5/5). ***The pride of Israel doth testify to his face*** — The effrontery with which they practise idolatry manifests, not only their insolence, but the deep depravity of their heart; but their pride and arrogance shall be humbled. Verse [Hosea 5:6](../../../kjv/hosea/5/6). ***They shall go with their flocks*** — They shall *offer many* *sacrifices*, professing to *seek* and be reconciled to the Lord; but they shall not *find him*. As they still retain the spirit of their idolatry, he has withdrawn himself from them. Verse [Hosea 5:7](../../../kjv/hosea/5/7). ***Now shall a month devour them*** — In a month's time the king of Assyria shall be upon them, and oblige them to purchase their lives and liberties by a grievous tax of *fifty* shekels per head. This Menahem, king of Israel, gave to *Pul*, king of Assyria, [2 Kings 15:16-20](../../../kjv/2-kings/15/16-20). Instead of *month*, some translate the original *locust*. "The locusts shall devour them." Verse [Hosea 5:8](../../../kjv/hosea/5/8). ***Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah*** — Gibeah and Ramah were cities of Judah, in the tribe of Benjamin. ***After thee, O Benjamin*** — An abrupt call of warning. "Benjamin, fly for thy life! The enemy is just behind thee!" This is a prediction of the invasion of the Assyrians, and the captivity of the *ten* tribes. Verse [Hosea 5:9](../../../kjv/hosea/5/9). ***Among the tribes of Israel have I made known*** — They have got sufficient warning; it is their own fault that they have not taken it. Verse [Hosea 5:10](../../../kjv/hosea/5/10). ***Like them that remove the bound*** — As execrable as they who remove the *land-mark*. They have leaped over law's enclosure, and scaled all the walls of right; they have despised and broken all laws, human and Divine. Verse [Hosea 5:11](../../../kjv/hosea/5/11). ***Walked after the commandment.*** — Jeroboam's commandment to worship his calves at Dan and Beth-el. Many of them were not *forced* to do this, they did it *willingly*. Verse [Hosea 5:12](../../../kjv/hosea/5/12). ***Unto Ephraim as a moth*** — I will consume them by little and little, as a moth frets a garment. Verse [Hosea 5:13](../../../kjv/hosea/5/13). ***When Ephraim saw his sickness*** — When both Israel and Judah felt their own weakness to resist their enemies, instead of calling upon and trusting in *me*, they sought sinful alliances, and trusted in their idols. ***King Jareb*** — This name occurs nowhere in Scripture but here and in [Hosea 10:6](../../../kjv/hosea/10/6). The *Vulgate* and *Targum* render ירב *yareb*, an *avenger*, a person whom they thought able to *save them* from their enemies. It is well known that *Menahem*, king of Israel, sought alliance with *Pul* and *Tiglath-pileser*, kings of Assyria, and *Ahaz*, king of Judah. These were the *protectors* that Ephraim sought after. See [2 Kings 15](../../../kjv/2-kings/15); [2 Kings 15](../../../kjv/2-kings/15). But far from *healing them* by making them tributary, the Assyrians made their *wound* more dangerous. Verse [Hosea 5:14](../../../kjv/hosea/5/14). ***I*****will be -*****as a lion*** — כשחל *cashshachel*, as a *panther* or *lioness*. Verse [Hosea 5:15](../../../kjv/hosea/5/15). ***I will go*****and*****return to my place*** — I will abandon them till they acknowledge their offenses. This had the wished-for effect, as we shall see in the following chapter; for they repented and turned to God, and he had mercy upon them. 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