Hosea 13

Hosea 13:1

VVHen Ephraim spake] Time was that the Tribe of Ephraim, having the rule of the ten Tribes, was terrible through its power; but now that it strayed, and is run into idolatry, its strength and glory is come to nothing, like unto a dead carkasse.

they sinne more and more] Heb. adde to sinne.

and have made them molten images] Chap. 2. 8. and 8. 4.

their own understanding] Chap. 9. 10.

they say of them] The Kings of the Tribe of Ephraim do command the people to follow the idolatrie which they have established. 1 Kings 12:28.

the men that sacrifice] Or, the sacrifices of men.

kisse the Calves] Whosoever will do God service, let him come and worship the Calves which Jeroboam hath set up: kissing being an act and token of worship, and religious honour. See 1 Kings 19:18. Job 31:27. Psalms 2:12.

Hosea 13:3

Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud] They shall not be stedfast, but shall quickly be dispersed and brought to nothing. Chap. 6. 4.

as the chaffe] Daniel 2:35.

Hosea 13:4

I am the LORD thy God] Isaiah 43. 11. Chap. 12. 9.

from the land of Egypt] He calleth them to repentance, and reproveth their ingratitude.

Hosea 13:5

I did know thee] That is, I tooke care of thee, and provided all things necessary for thee.

in the land] Deuteronomy 8:15. and Deuteronomy 32:10.

great drought] Heb. droughts.

Hosea 13:6

According to their pasture] Through too much fatnesse and plenty, they are become fierce and masterlesse. Deut. 8. 12, 13, 14. and 32. 15. Hosea 10:1.

Hosea 13:7

Therefore I will be unto them as a lion] I am. 3. 10. Hosea 5:14.

as a leopard] Which useth to lie in wait to get upon a man See Jeremiah 5:6.

Hosea 13:8

as a bear] See 2 Samuel 17:8. Proverbs 17:12. That is, I am become their implacable enemy.

and will rent the caul of their heart] That is, I will wound them mortally.

and there will I devour them] Namely, upon the high way; whereby are meant the instance, and times appointed for ods judgements. See the like use of this word, Psalms 53:5. Ecclesiastes 3:17.

the wilde beast] Heb. the beast of the field.

Hosea 13:9

thou hast destroyed thy self] Many have wrought together to overthrow thee, but I alone can save thee, and not thy Kings, in whom thou hast trusted. Or, thine Idol and thy sinne.

is thine help] Heb. in thy help.

Hosea 13:10

I will be thy king] Or, Where is thy king. In these words God challengeth his Kingly power over Israel, which he had by redeeming them from Egypt, and derideth the foolish and wicked confidence in opposing the help of their idols, and confederates to his threatnings.

whom thou saidst] Some referre this to the first asking of a King, 1 Samuel 8:5. others, to the tumultuary election of Jeroboam, 1 Kings 12:16; 1 Kings 12:20.

Hosea 13:11

I gave] Heb. I will give. Then it is a threatning in both parts, because they perfidiously fell from God, he tels them, that he will give them into the power of a strange king, and overthrow their kingdome: fulfilled when conquered by the Assyrians, they lost both their Kingdom and Countrey, as if they had been utterly rejected by God. Others read, I do give. That is, thou seest how in a short time I set up and pull down Kings by my pleasure and indignation: for at this time there were many changes of Kings in Israel. See 2 King. 15. and 17.

The most follow Jonathans Chaldee paraphrase, and read, I have given, or, gave; whereof some say, I gave thee Saul (1 Sam. 10.) in mine anger, 1 Samuel 8:6. and I will take him away that thou now hast, namely, Hoshea the sonne of Ela, 2 Kings 17. 1, &c. in whom their Kingdom ended. Others, I have suffered thee to thy hurt and damage, to have a King, according to thine own will, though I did not approve of it, Hosea 8:4. and I have aggravated my judgements the more upon thee, by reason of the frequent violent deaths of thy Kings, which do bring thy Kingdom into extreme ruine.

a king in mine anger] 1 Samuel 8:5, &c. and 15. 23. and 16. 1.

Hosea 13:12

bound up] Nothing shall escape me, I will make them bear the punishment for all. See Deuteronomy 32:34. Job 14:17. Jeremiah 17:1.

Hosea 13:13

an unwise sonne] If this people were not foolish, they would imitate little infants, who coming into the world do helpe themselves, and strive to free themselves out of the straits and dangers of the birth; so should they have endeavoured to free themselves out of their mortall dangers and travels, by true repentance.

long] Heb. a time.

Hosea 13:14

I will ransome them] If they would but repent indeed.

the power] Heb. the hand.

O death] 1 Corinthians 15:54-55. Meaning, that no power shall resist God, when he will deliver his, but even in death will he give them life.

I will be thy plagues] Or, where are thy plagues.

I will be thy destruction] Or, where is thy destruction.

repentance shall be hid from mine eye] My goodnesse toward them shall never alter.

Hosea 13:15

Though he be fruitfull] Namely, Ephraim: He hath relation to the signification of the name Ephraim, and to the blessing which Jacob gave him. Genesis 41:42. and 48. 19.

his brethren] To wit, the other Tribes.

an east-winde shall come] An impetuous and inevitable desolation by the Assyrians, who assaulted the land of Israel toward the wildernesse. Se Ezekiel 19:12.

winde] Or, strong winde as Job 1:16.

his spring] Figurative terms; the sense is, That every one of Gods blessings, which are the well-springs of all good things, shall be taken away from them: and consequently all manner of happinesse shall fail them.

he shall spoil the treasure] Namely, the enemy (Shalmanese King of Assyria) signified by the east winde.

pleasant vessels] Heb. vessels of desire.

Hosea 13:16

Samaria shall become desolate] See the accomplishment of this threatning, 2 King. 17. .

their infants shall be dashed in pieces] Chap. 10. 14.