Verses 9-10
9, 10. The judgment to fall upon priest and people alike.
And there [“it”] shall be, like people, like priest Priest and people shall perish alike. The fact that the former enjoys in his official capacity special nearness to Jehovah will not save him. This interpretation, which brings out the meaning of the Hebrew most naturally, is preferable to that which sees in these words a summing up of the preceding accusations and makes the next clause the beginning of the threat. Having made the general announcement of judgment, the prophet proceeds to describe in detail its character.
Them Hebrew, singular, the priest, that is, the priestly class, so throughout this section. The corrupt priests will be dealt with according to their deserts. The retribution is according to the lex talionis; the unholy greed will be punished with insufficiency of food (Leviticus 26:16; Micah 6:14).
They shall… not have enough Referring back to Hosea 4:8.
Commit whoredom To be understood not as in chapters 1-3 in a symbolic sense, but as in Hosea 4:11; Hosea 4:13-14, literally. This interpretation is supported by the character of the judgment threatened.
They… shall not increase They will be cursed with childlessness. Jehovah will withdraw his blessings because they, probably both priest and people, have left off to take [“taking”] heed Had no regard for Jehovah or for his will.
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