Hosea 5

Hosea 5:2

Depth, or pits of fire, where victims were sometimes thrown. (Iphigen.) (Grotius) — By substituting th for t, we might read, “they have dug pits to take them,” chap. ix. 9., and Josue xxiii 13. (Calmet) — Idolatry leads to the abyss. (Haydock)

Hosea 5:4

Known. Fornication had darkened their intellect. (Calmet)

Hosea 5:5

Answer. Septuagint, “be humbled.” It appears openly, so as to deserve condemnation. (Haydock)

Hosea 5:6

Them. He will receive their victims no longer, Isaias i. 11. (Calmet) — In vain do they expect to escape by this appearance of sanctity, while they continue in sin. (Haydock)

Hosea 5:7

Strangers. That is, aliens form God: and therefore they are threatened with speedy destruction. (Challoner) — Their offspring is rebellious, and deserves no longer to be called my people, chap. i. 9. — Month. Every month the Assyrians shall come upon them; (Chaldean; St. Jerome) or, in the space of one month, they shall perish. (Calmet) — Septuagint, “the mildew shall eat them and their portions.” (Haydock)

Hosea 5:8

Back. Bethel lay northwest of Benjamin. The two tribes would hear the distress of Israel, that they might beware and avoid the like misconduct. (Calmet) — The captivity is here described. (Worthington)

Hosea 5:9

That. Literally, “faith,” (Haydock) that my word shall come to pass.

Hosea 5:10

Bound. This was a capital crime, under Numa, and forbidden, Deuteronomy xix. 14. (Calmet) — Juda hoped to seize what was abandoned. (St. Jerome) — They deferred doing penance, and removed the boundaries set by their fathers, (Theodoret; Calmet) the virtuous patriarchs, whom they would not imitate.

Hosea 5:11

Oppression. Literally, “calumny.” (Haydock) (Isaias lii. 4.) — The Assyrians had no just reason for attacking Israel, though their crimes called for punishment (Calmet) from God. (Haydock)

Hosea 5:13

Avenging. Hebrew and Septuagint Jareb, (St. Jerome) which some explain of the king of Egypt; others understand the Assyrian; (chap. x. 6.) while most suppose that Ephraim applied to Phul, and Juda sent to a protecting king, Theglathphalassar, 4 Kings xvi. 7., and xvii. 4. (Calmet)

Hosea 5:14

Lioness. Hebrew and Septuagint, “panther.” (Haydock) — The Assyrians, instead of assisting, proved the ruin of both kingdoms.

Hosea 5:15

Place; to heaven. I will abandon my temple. (Calmet) — Face: “they will seek the absent.” (St. Jerome)

Hosea 5:19

CHAPTER V.

Ver 1. Of priests. What is said of priests in this prophecy is chiefly understood of the priests of the kingdom of Israel; who were not true priests of the race of Aaron, but served the calves at Bethel and Dan. (Challoner) — They had the name of priests, and pretended to act as such, 3 Kings xii. (Worthington) — There were some apostates among them, chap. iv. 6. But they lost all authority. — To them. Literally, “to the watch:” speculationi. Hebew, “at Maspha,” (Haydock) in Galaad, where a profane altar was erected, chap. vi. 8. (Calmet)