Hosea 7:8 to Hosea 8:3. Political Decay the Outward Sign of Israel's Moral Decay. The attempts to cure national ills and secure safety by foreign aid, instead of by turning to Yahweh, are foredoomed to failure; Yahweh Himself frustrates them and will bring the misguided people to punishment and ruin (Hosea 7:8-12). Their doom is sealed, for they have been disloyal to Yahweh; they do not turn to Him with a true heart, but use heathen devices (cut themselves, Hosea 7:14 mg., see p. 110) when they appeal to Him. Their shallow hearts are incapable of real and acceptable repentance; therefore their princes shall fall by the sword, and this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt (Hosea 7:13-16). The inevitable judgment is devastating war, which their appeals to Him shall not avert (Hosea 8:1-3).
Hosea 7:8. mixeth himself: i.e. dissipates his national strength and character by intermingling with the Gentiles. Another possible rendering is withereth away among, etc. The cake is the flat, round cake of bread, which was baked on hot stones or ashes (cf. 1 Kings 19:6), and which, if not frequently turned, would be burnt. It may be an emblem of a country half ruined by war, or of the people's fickle and inconstant character and achievement (cf. our half-baked).
Hosea 7:9. The signs of national decreptitude are unheeded.
Hosea 7:10. Perhaps a gloss; cf. Hosea 5:5.
Hosea 7:11. The inconstancies of national policy are another mark of weakness (the reference need not be to rival Egyptian and Assyrian parties in Israel). Note the striking and original figure.
Hosea 7:12. By seeking foreign alliances they walk into a net. I will chastise. heard: read, I will bind them because of their wickedness (cf. LXX).
Hosea 7:13 b. Better as an indignant question: And I should I redeem them when, etc.
Hosea 7:14. upon their beds is difficult (text probably corrupt): On account of their. is required. assemble themselves: read as mg. and cf. 1 Kings 18:28; Deuteronomy 14:1.
Hosea 7:15. Omit taught and (cf. LXX). strengthened their arms: cf. 2 Kings 14:27.
Hosea 7:16 a. Cf. Hosea 11:7. Read perhaps, return to the Baal (or Baalim). for. tongue: i.e. their insolence towards God (but text doubtful). The rest of Hosea 7:16, if genuine, must refer to some unknown incidents.
Hosea 8:1 a. Lit. to thy palate the cornet! (God addresses the prophet). an eagle: the Assyrian may be meant.
Hosea 8:2. Omit Israel with LXX.