Priests and Rulers are Bringing the Nation to Ruin. Judgment is declared against (Hosea 5:1 mg.) [9] the priests and ruling class because they have ensnared the people (by encouraging the mixed cultus) at the sanctuaries Mizpah (in Gilead probably), Tabor and Shittim (Hosea 5:2 corrected text) are mentioned as the scenes of such worship. A spirit of whoredom in the literal sense of the word (cf. Hosea 4:12) animates them, and the brazen pride with which they pursue their evil course condemns them. When Israel and Judah fall as fall they must they will seek in vain to propitiate Yahweh with sacrifices from their flocks and herds; He has withdrawn Himself from a generation who are not His, but bastards (Hosea 5:1-7). Suddenly the alarum of war is heard (Hosea 5:8), Ephraim's doom and desolation are certain (Hosea 5:9).
[9] If RV text be right, the priests are referred to as those who administer justice (so Welch).
Hosea 5:2 a. Join to end of Hosea 5:1. Read, and the pit of Shittim have they made deep. It continues the metaphor of the snare and the net, they are trapped in the pit. rebuker: render, scourge.
Hosea 5:3 b. Probably a gloss (cf. Hosea 6:10).
Hosea 5:5. Either (a) Israel's vainglorious pride testifies openly against him and condemns him, or (b) Israel's pride may be Yahweh; the former is preferable. Their overwhelming pride in the cultus is meant (cf. Hosea 7:10). Marti omits the last clause.
Hosea 5:7. strange children: a generation that has no real knowledge of Yahweh. The last clause may be explained: Any month may bring news of war; but the expression is strange. Marti emends, Now shall the destroyer devour them, and their fields shall be devastated.
Hosea 5:8. Beth-aven: a satirical name for Bethel (cf. Amos 5:5). After thee, Benjamin (mg.): probably the ancient war-cry of the clan. Benjamin in the far south is alarmed, as well as the north.