I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness - as the traveler in a wilderness is delighted at finding grapes to quench his thirst, or the early fig, esteemed a great delicacy in the East (Isaiah 28:4; Jeremiah 24:2; Micah 7:1), so it was my delight to choose your fathers as my special people in Egypt (Hosea 2:15).
I saw your fathers as the first-ripe in the fig tree at her first time - when the first-fruits of the fig tree become ripe.
But they went to Baal-peor - (Numbers 25:3, "Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor") the Moabite idol, in whose worship young females prostituted themselves: the very sin Israel was latterly guilty of.
And separated themselves - consecrated, or, rather, desecrated themselves.
Unto that shame - to that shameful or foul idol (Jeremiah 11:13).
And their abominations were according as they loved - rather, as Vulgate, 'they became abominable like the object of their love' (Deuteronomy 7:26; Psalms 115:8, "They that make them are like unto them; so is everyone that trusteth in them"). The English version gives good sense, 'their abominable idols they followed after, according as their lusts prompted them' (margin, Amos 4:5, 'Offer a thanksgiving with leaven; for this liketh you (so ye love), O ye children of Israel').