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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hosea 5:8-15

Here is, I. A loud alarm sounded, giving notice of judgments coming (Hos. 5:8): Blow you the cornet in Gibeah and in Ramah, two cities near together in the confines of the two kingdoms of Judah and Israel, Gibeah a frontier-town of the kingdom of Judah, Ramah of Israel; so that the warning is hereby sent into both kingdoms. ?Cry aloud at Beth-aven, or Bethel, which place seems to be already seized upon by the enemy, and therefore the trumpet is not sounded there, but you hear the outcries of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 5:13

When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound ,.... That their civil state were in a sickly condition, very languid, weak, feeble, and tottering, just upon the brink of ruin; see Isaiah 1:6 ; then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to King Jareb ; that is, the ten tribes, or the king of them, went and met the Assyrian king; and Judah the two tribes, or the king of them, sent ambassadors to King Jareb; which sense the order of the words, in connection with the preceding... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 . 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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 5:13

Verse 13 Here the Lord complains that he had in vain chastised the Israelites by the usual means, for they thought that they had remedies ready for themselves, and turned their minds to vain hopes. This is usually done by most men; for when the Lord deals mildly with us, we perceive not his hand, but think that what evils happen to us come by chance. Then, as if we had nothing to do with God, we seek remedies, and turn our minds and thoughts to other quarters. This then is what God now reproves... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 5:10-13

The misuse of Divine judgments. It is well for our rest and strength when, like the prophet, we can exercise steadfast faith in the unseen Ruler of all human affairs. Many events appear to contradict the theory of a wise and loving government. Causes which are seen seem adequate to produce the effects which arise from them, and we fail to discern God behind the ambitions and the follies of men. Happy is he who, like Hosea, hears God's voice amidst the tumult, believes in a plan underlying... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 5:11-15

God's judgments differ both in degree and kind. Ephraim had obeyed man rather than God, and God gives them over to man for punishment. The men who oppressed Ephraim acted unjustly, but God, in permitting that unjust oppression, was exercising his prerogative of justice. Neither could Ephraim palliate their sin by alleging compulsion on the part of their rulers, nor throw, the blame entirely on the ungodly commandment of an ungodly rang, or those who might enforce it by pains and penalties.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 5:11-15

The Divine judgments. In this strophe the Lord denounces as useless and foolish the policy which Israel had adopted of seeking to strengthen himself by alliances with Assyria. In doing this the nation was only adding to its guilt, and precipitating its doom. I. THE NATURE OF THE JUDGMENTS . We gather from the passage that these are of three orders, each being more severe than the preceding. 1. Slow consumption . (Verse. 12) The "moth" and the "worm" suggest silent,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 5:13

Then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to King Jareb . Both kingdoms became conscious of their disease and decline; Ephraim felt its sickness or internal consumption, Judah its wound or external corruption ( mazor , a festering wound, from zur , to squeeze out); they were both conscious of rottenness in their condition. That diseased condition was rather spiritual apostasy than political adversity, though these were connected as cause and effect. But, instead of applying to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 5:13

Human physicians helpless. The reference here is to both Israel and Judah; for both kingdoms were alike suffering, alike guilty of reliance on human help and deliverance, and alike in their experience of its utter vanity. I. NATIONAL DISEASE AND SUFFERING . The language is, of course, figurative, but it is very expressive. Whoever reads the chronicles of the chosen people must become familiar with the civil troubles, afflictions, and disasters they were called upon to endure. Had... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 5:13

Wrong methods of relief. "When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to King Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound." The" moth" had so far eaten into the political heart of Ephraim and Judah that they began to feel the wound and to grow conscious of their weakness. They felt, it may be, that from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head there was no soundness in them, but wounds and bruises and putrefied... read more

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