1.
When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
I loved him. Compare Jeremiah 2:2 .Malachi 1:2 .
called My son, &c. = called to My son. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 4:22 , Exodus 4:23 ). App-92 . Quoted in Matthew 2:15 .
2.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
they. The callers: i.e. the prophets, &c. who called to them.
them. The Septuagint and Syriac read "Me".
they. Israel.
sacrificed = kept sacrificing. Compare Hosea 2:13 ; Hos 13:2 . 2 Kings 17:16 .
3.
I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.
I taught, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 1:31 ; Deuteronomy 32:10 , Deuteronomy 32:11 , Deuteronomy 32:12 ). Compare Isaiah 46:3 .
go = walk. See Acts 13:18 margin
taking = I used to take.
I healed them. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 15:26 ).
4.
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
I drew = I would draw.
man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .
take off = lift up, or loosen: viz. the straps which hind the yoke to the neck.
I laid meat = holding out [food] to him I let him eat.
5.
He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.
not. Connect this with Hosea 11:4 , for he is to return to Assyria (Hosea 8:13 ; Hosea 9:3 ).
shall be = he [became].
6.
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
branches. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for "sons", as being the progeny and defenders.
7.
And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
bent to backsliding. Compare Hosea 4:16 .
though they called them, &c. = though they call upon the Most High.
Most High. Hebrew. 'al.
none at all would exalt Him = He shall not altogether lift them up.
8.
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
How . . . ? Figures of speech Erotesis and Pathopoeia. App-6 .
Admah . . . Zeboim. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 10:19 ; Genesis 14:2 , Genesis 14:8 . Deuteronomy 29:23 ). App-92 . These places are not mentioned elsewhere.
repentings = compassions.
9.
I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
I am GOD, and not man. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ): put both ways for emphasis. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 23:19 ). Compare Isaiah 55:8 , Isaiah 55:9 . Malachi 3:6 .
GOD. Hebrew. 'El. App-4 .
man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .
in the midst = [will not come] into the midst. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 33:5 ). App-92 .
enter into = come against: i.e. as an enemy. The verse is not "nonsense", as alleged. The reference is to Hosea 11:8 .
the city: i.e. as I came against Sodom and Gomorrah.
10.
They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.
walk after = return to. The Structure (p. 1215) shows that verses: Hosea 11:10 , Hosea 11:11 are not an "exilic insertion".
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
He shall roar = [when] He shall summon them with a lion's roar.
children = sons [of Israel].
tremble = come, or hasten, trembling.
from the west. Compare Zechariah 8:7 .
11.
They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.
in their houses. Compare Ezekiel 28:25 , Ezekiel 28:26 ; Ezekiel 37:21 , Ezekiel 37:25 .
12.
Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.
Ephraim compasseth Me, &c. The Structure (p. 1221) shows the change of subject in Hosea 11:12 Hosea 12:8 , which is "incorrigibility". The chapters are badly divided here.
with deceit. See Isaiah 29:13 .Ezekiel 33:31 .Matthew 15:8 , Matthew 15:9 . Mark 7:6 , Mark 7:7 .
Judah yet ruleth, &c. Compare 2 Chronicles 13:10-12 .
with the saints = with the Holy One. Hebrew, plural; so used elsewhere. Compare Joshua 24:19 . Proverbs 30:3 .