The beginning, &c. This may be understood not merely of Hosea ' sprophecies, but as referring to the fact that Hosea was the first (canonically) of fifteen prophets included in the Hebrew canon. See App-77.
by. in, as in Numbers 12:6; Numbers 12:8; Habakkuk 2:1.Zechariah 1:9, i.e. through.
a wife of whoredoms: i.e.. woman of the northern kingdom, and therefore regarded as an idolatress.
whoredoms. idolatries. The one term is used for the other by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject), App-6, because both were characterized by unfaithfulness; the former to. husband, and the latter to Jehovah, Who sustained that relation to Israel (Jeremiah 31:32). Compare 2 Kings 9:22; 2 Chronicles 21:13.Jeremiah 3:2.Ezekiel 16:17-35; Ezekiel 20:30; Ezekiel 23:3; Ezekiel 23:7; Ezekiel 23:43.Nahum 3:4. See Hosea 4:2; Hosea 4:12; Hosea 5:3; Hosea 5:4; Hosea 6:10; Hosea 7:4, &c.
and. and [beget].
children. offspring. Hebrew. yalad. The mother is symbolical of the kingdom, and the offspring of the people.
for the land, &c. Note this reason (Hosea 1:4-9) above): which explains what is meant by, and gives the interpretation of, "whoredoms". Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:16; Leviticus 17:7; Leviticus 20:5.Numbers 15:39; Deuteronomy 31:16). App-92.
land. Hebrew. 'eretz. earth. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole), App-6, for the land of Israel. Rendered "land" in Hosea 4:1. Compare Joel 1:2, &c.
departing, &c. Compare Hosea 4:10; Hosea 7:8; Hosea 8:11; Hosea 8:14; Hosea 10:1; Hosea 12:14; Hosea 13:9.
from. from after.