Hosea 6:4 to Hosea 7:2. Israel's Moral Condition Hopelessly Corrupt. The shallow expressions of loyalty by the fickle people mean nothing, and cannot avert Yahweh's inevitable judgment. He looks for real loyalty, not for a hollow ritual of sacrifices (Hosea 6:4-6). Examples of the anarchy and crime that prevail, involving even the priests in the charge of murder and immorality, are given, demonstrating Israel's utter corruption, Judah also (Hosea 6:11 a, if this is not a gloss) being involved (Hosea 6:7-11 a). Every attempt to heal the disease only reveals how deep-seated and universal it is (Hosea 6:11 b - Hosea 7:2). The section appears to be composed of three originally independent fragments (Hosea 6:4-6; Hosea 6:7-11 a, Hosea 6:11 b - Hosea 7:2).
Hosea 6:4. Judah: Marti and Nowack read Israel. goodness: render love, i.e. either love to God (loyalty to Yahweh) or love of neighbour.
Hosea 6:5. read (mg.) light: i.e. lightning. Such prophets as Elijah and Elisha are meant.
Hosea 6:6. Cf. 1 Samuel 15:22. mercy: render love (cf. Hosea 6:4 *).
Hosea 6:7. like Adam: a place-name is required. Read either in Adam (cf. Joshua 3:16) or perhaps in Adman (Hosea 11:8). Some place where there was a sanctuary may be referred to.
Hosea 6:8. Gilead: a town of this name is perhaps referred to in Judges 10:17, here as another centre of the cultus.
Hosea 6:9. The sanctuary at Shechem is a den of thieves, the priests being the thieves, and the victims the pilgrims. Some incident well known to contemporaries may be alluded to. lewdness: render, enormity.
Hosea 6:10. In the house of Israel: read, in Bethel (cf. Hosea 10:15, Amos 5:6).
Hosea 6:10 b. Read, there Ephraim hath played the harlot.
Hosea 6:11 may be a gloss. The following words; When I would heal Israel, are omitted by Wellhausen. He begins the section at, The iniquity of Ephraim is discovered.
Hosea 7:1. Read, entereth into the house (cf. LXX). spoileth: read mg.