This chapter seems to be preached at the time of Hosea, the last king, who recognized the error, but in the meantime increased the sacrifices. Therefore, the prophet insists on the captivity of Israel, although he sees that some wanted to pretend something of repentance and reformation, but they do not strive with real zeal to improve themselves, and go so far that they even restored the godless pretensions, set up new services, with which they offended God more and more.
V. 1. Israel is a devastated vine.
The Hebrew word means "desolate," not: leafy (frondosa, [Vulg.]), although I would prefer to read "leafy" because the following
The text seems to be very consistent with it and the meaning is clear: Israel is a vine in his land, which he has planted and spread wide, but what fruit it brings I see, namely idolatry. When one runs "desolate," this is the opinion, "It is a beautiful vine, but useless." The godless people made sure that where the land was best, a worship would be set up. Where there is good income, there are godless services. Godlessness has always built its nest where there is food for the belly.
1) In the previous writing, the same explanation is given for the reading krouäosa. The Hallic manuscript offers for vastata: It is indeed a vine, but devastated or withered, that is, useless.
V. 6. So Ephraim must stand with shame.
That is to say, with a lot of advice, they protect their calves. They are stubborn in their resolution, they follow their advice. Therefore, they will die while defending themselves most stubbornly, and both the service and the one who practices it will perish.
V. 7. The king of Samaria is gone.
The Hebrew word dum or damem (orig.: dumb) has two meanings: to be silent and to be similar. In sum, we always use this word for things that are lost and made to nothing.
V. 8: The high places of Aven are destroyed.
It alludes to the name BethAven, which means the high places will be destroyed. For "Aven" means sin, which anguishes and troubles the conscience. "The high places" means the altars, the idolatrous services performed on mountains and hills. - "And shall say to the mountains." The Lord uses this text in the Gospel of Luke [Cap. 23, 30], where he mentions the last judgment. It is, therefore, a general saying, as if to say, "There shall be a woe, that thou knowest not whither out." It can also be applied to any future calamity. Hosea draws it to the Assyrian captivity, Christ to the Roman captivity, we to the last judgment. So it can also be interpreted here, that in the meantime the opinion of the prophet remains unharmed.
V. 9. since the time of Gibeah.
It is another beginning by which he seeks to call them to bear fruit. It is the opinion: "What shall I say much? It is a
old büberei. You have never done any good all your life; lift up and do some good for once."
V. 11. Ephraim is a calf, accustomed 2c.
As a cow only 1) works for its food, so you, Ephraim, seek only temporal things with this service of yours. You serve God only for the sake of the earthly. The prophet seems to want to emphasize that there is great work in the ungodly service. But they like this service so much that they easily overcome all difficulties [because they are used to it] 2) as a calf of its own free will would not thresh but eat if it were not forced. But I will break your neck, so beautiful and well cared for, that is, I will give you into servitude, I will hand you over to the king of Assyria for punishment.
V. 14: Just as Salman has transgressed (Sicut vastatur pacifica
Just as he who dwells securely in his house, fears nothing, sees everything safe, but is suddenly killed by invading enemies, both he and his wife and children, so will it be 3) with you. While you will be in the highest security, the king will come and destroy you. It is the way of the scripture that it touches the old histories briefly, but does not tell what happened. This is what the prophet does here. He gives a history which is not recorded, but it seems to be such: Salman was a king who disturbed the house of Arbeel by a tyrannical murder, killing both the mother and the children.
1) Instead of camouflage will read tantnin.
2) Inserted by us.
3) Weimarsche: est instead of: et; a misprint.