Hosea 4:7-8

7. They The priests. Were increased [“multiplied”] Not only in numbers, but also in wealth and prosperity, sharing in the glories of the successful reign of Jeroboam II.

They sinned against me Prosperity led to moral and religious corruption among the people; the priests instead of stemming the tide of worldliness were carried away by it, and rather encouraged it (Hosea 4:8; compare Micah 3:11).

Change their glory into shame From their honorable position as representatives of Jehovah they will be cast into shame and degradation. In Hosea 4:5-6 the description of sin is followed by announcement of judgment; this is also the order in Hosea 4:7 and gives acceptable sense; emendations therefore seem unnecessary. It should be noted, however, that Targum and Peshitto appear to have read “they have changed” instead of “I will change.” That would be an additional description of the priests’ corruption; they have exchanged the glory which was theirs as priests of the true God for the degrading position of priests of the Baalim not in name, perhaps, but in deed. Ancient Jewish tradition recognizes this as a more accurate text but goes further, declaring that “their glory” was originally “my glory”; that is, they have exchanged the glory of Jehovah for the shameful service of the Baalim. All three readings give satisfactory sense; and in view of the conflicting testimony it may be impossible to say with certainty which is the original.

Hosea 4:8 continues the condemnation of the priests. Their holy office they use for selfish and mean ends.

They eat up the sin of my people Better, with R.V., “They feed on the sin of my people.” It is not necessary to translate sin offering for “sin”; and the question whether sin offering, in the technical sense of the term, was known in the days of Hosea cannot be determined from this passage; it is quite possible that it did exist. In a general sense all offerings may be called sin offerings. The thought is that “the more the people sin the more merrily thrive the priests”; for they receive a share of nearly all the offerings (1 Samuel 2:13-17).

They (the priests) set their heart Literally every one his heart. The expression means to cherish a longing for, and thus to encourage (Deuteronomy 24:15; Psalms 24:4).

Their The people’s.