Hosea 10
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Israel is an empty vine - Or, a vine that casteth its grapes. He bringeth forth fruit - Or, he laid up fruit for himself. He abused the blessings of God to the purposes of idolatry. He was prosperous; but his prosperity corrupted his heart. According to the multitude of his fruit - He became idolatrous in proportion to his prosperity; and in proportion to their wealth was the costliness of their images, and the expensiveness of their idol worship. True is the homely saying of old Quarles: - "So God's best gifts, usurp'd by wicked ones, To poison turn, by their con-ta-gi-ons." Another poet, of a higher order, but worse school, says: - Effodiuntur opes, irritamenta malorum. Ovid. Of which the words of St. Paul are nearly a literal rendering: - Ῥιζα γαρ πανθων των κακων εστιν ἡ θιλαργυρια. "For the love of money is the root of all these evils" Ti1 6:10. Pity that this beautiful metal, on which God has bestowed such a large portion of mineral perfection, and then hid in the earth, should, on its being digged up by man, become the incentive to so many vices, and draw away his heart from the Creator of all things, and the fountain of ineffable perfection and goodness.
Open source ↗ISRAEL'S IDOLATRY, THE SOURCE OF PERJURIES AND UNLAWFUL LEAGUES, SOON DESTINED TO BE THE RUIN OF THE STATE, THEIR KING AND THEIR IMAGES BEING ABOUT TO BE CARRIED OFF; A JUST CHASTISEMENT, THE REAPING CORRESPONDING TO THE SOWING. (Hos 10:1-15) The prophecy was uttered between Shalmaneser's first and second invasions of Israel. Compare Hos 10:14; also Hos 10:6, referring to Hoshea's calling So of Egypt to his aid; also Hos 10:4, Hos 10:13. empty--stripped of its fruits [CALVIN], (Nah 2:2); compelled to pay tribute to Pul (Kg2 15:20). MAURER translates, "A widespreading vine"; so the Septuagint. Compare Gen 49:22; Psa 80:9-11; Eze 17:6. bringeth forth fruit unto himself--not unto ME. according to . . . multitude of . . . fruit . . . increased . . . altars--In proportion to the abundance of their prosperity, which called for fruit unto God (compare Rom 6:22), was the abundance of their idolatry (Hos 8:4, Hos 8:11).
Open source ↗Israel is an empty vine,.... The people of Israel are often compared to a vine, and such an one from whence fruit might be expected, being planted in a good soil, and well taken care of; see Psa 80:8; but proved an "empty vine", empty of fruit; not of temporal good things, for a multitude of such fruit it is afterwards said to have; but of spiritual fruit, of the fruit of grace, and of good works, being destitute of the Spirit of God, and his grace; and, having no spiritual moisture, was incapable of bringing forth good fruit: or, "an emptying vine" (o); that casts its fruit before it is ripe; these people, what fruit they had, they made an ill use of it; even of their temporal good things; they emptied themselves of their wealth and riches, by sending presents, or paying tribute, to foreign princes for their alliance, friendship, and help; or by consuming it on their idols, and in their idolatrous worship. The Targum renders it, "a spoiled vine (p);'' spoiled by their enemies, who robbed them of their wealth and riches, and trampled them under foot. The Septuagint version, and those that follow that, understand it in a sense quite the reverse, rendering it, "a flourishing vine"; putting forth branches, leaves, and fruit; and which the learned Pocock confirms from the use of the word in the Arabic language: but then it follows, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself; all the good works done by them were not to the praise and glory of God, as fruits of righteousness are, which come by Jesus Christ; but were done to be seen of men, and to gain their applause and esteem, and so were for themselves; and all their temporal good things they abounded with were not made use of in the service of God, and for the promoting of his glory, and of true religion among them; but either c…
Open source ↗In a fresh turn the concluding thought of the last strophe (Hos 9:10) is resumed, and the guilt and punishment of Israel still more fully described in two sections, Hos 10:1-8 and Hos 10:9-15. Hos 10:1. "Israel is a running vine; it set fruit for itself: the more of its fruit, the more altars did it prepare; the better its land, the better pillars did they make. Hos 10:2. Smooth was their heart, ow will they atone. He will break in pieces their altars, desolate their pillars. Hos 10:3. Yea, now will they say, No king to us! for we feared not Jehovah; and the king, what shall he do to us?" Under the figure of a vine running luxuriantly, which did indeed set some good fruit, but bore no sound ripe grapes, the prophet describes Israel as a glorious plantation of God Himself, which did not answer the expectations of its Creator. The figure is simply sketched in a few bold lines. We have an explanatory parallel in Psa 80:9-12. The participle bōqēq does not mean "empty" or "emptying out" here; for this does not suit the next clause, according to which the fruit was set, but from the primary meaning of bâqaq, to pour out, pouring itself out, overflowing, i.e., running luxuriantly. It has the same meaning, therefore, as ג סרחת in Eze 17:6, that which extends its branches far and wide, that is to say, grows most vigorously. The next sentence, "it set fruit," still belongs to the figure; but in the third sentence the figure passes over into a literal prophecy. According to the abundance of its fruit, Israel made many altars; and in proportion to the goodness of its land, it made better מצּבות, Baal's pillars (see at Kg1 14:23); i.e., as Israel multiplied, and under the blessing of God attained to prosperity, wealth, and power in the good land (Exo 3:8), it forgot its God, and…
Open source ↗Observe, I. What the sins are which are here laid to Israel's charge, the national sins which bring down national judgment. The prophet deals plainly with them; for what good would it do them to be flattered? 1. They were not fruitful in the fruits of righteousness to the glory of God. Here all their other wickedness began (Hos 10:1): Israel is an empty vine. The church of God is fitly compared to a vine, weak, and of an unpromising outside, yet spreading and fruitful; believers are branches of that vine, and partake of its root and fatness. But this was the character of Israel, they were as an empty vine, a vine that had no sap or virtue in it, and therefore none of those good fruits produced by it that were expected from it, with which God and man should be honoured. Note, There are many who, though they have not become degenerate vines, are yet empty vines, have no good in them. A vine is of all trees least serviceable if it do not bear fruit. It is thenceforth good for nothing, Eze 15:3, Eze 15:5. And those that bring forth no grapes will soon come to bring forth wild grapes; those that do no good will do hurt. He is an empty vine, for he brings forth fruit to himself. What good there is in him is not directed to the glory of God, but he takes the praise of it to himself, and prides himself in it. Christians live not to themselves (Rom 14:6), but hypocrites make self their centre; they eat and drink to themselves, Zac 7:5, Zac 7:6. Or Israel is by the judgments of God emptied and spoiled of all his wealth, because he made use of it in the service of his lusts, and not to the honour of God who gave it to him. Note, What we do not rightly employ we may justly expect to be emptied of. 2. They multiplied their altars and images, and the more bountiful God's providence w…
Open source ↗10:1 Although Israel was God’s luxuriant, fruitful vine (see Isa 5:1-7; Jer 2:21; Ezek 17:6), she falsely attributed her prosperity to the Canaanite fertility gods, rather than to the Lord, and she spent the riches God had given her to enhance her worship of idols. • sacred pillars: Stone pillars could be acceptable memorials (Gen 35:20; Josh 24:26-27), but God prohibited the Israelites from using them in worship as the Canaanites did (Exod 23:24; Deut 16:22).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בָּקַק (bâqaq, H1238) — to pour out, i.e. to empty, figuratively, to depopulate; by analogy, to spread out (as a… גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape שָׁוָה (shâvâh, H7737) — properly, to level, i.e. equalize; figuratively, to resemble; by implication, to adjust… פְּרִי (pᵉrîy, H6529) — fruit (literally or figuratively) רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2895) — to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense מַצֵּבָה (matstsêbâh, H4676) — something stationed, i.e. a column or (memorial stone); by analogy, an idol
Open source ↗לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to… אָשַׁם (ʼâsham, H816) — to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish עָרַף (ʻâraph, H6202) — to break the neck; hence (figuratively) to destroy מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar שָׁדַד (shâdad, H7703) — properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by… מַצֵּבָה (matstsêbâh, H4676) — something stationed, i.e. a column or (memorial stone); by analogy, an idol
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אָלָה (ʼâlâh, H422) — properly, to adjure, i.e. (usually in a bad sense) imprecate שָׁוְא (shâvᵉʼ, H7723) — evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively… כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… פָּרַח (pârach, H6524) — to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7219) — a poisonous plant, probably the poppy (from its conspicuous head); generally poison (even… תֶּלֶם (telem, H8525) — a bank or terrace שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat)
Open source ↗שָׁכֵן (shâkên, H7934) — a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine גּוּר (gûwr, H1481) — properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn… עֶגְלָה (ʻeglâh, H5697) — a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e. a heifer) בֵּית אָוֶן (Bêyth ʼÂven, H1007) — Beth-Aven, a place in Palestine עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָבַל (ʼâbal, H56) — to bewail כָּמָר (kâmâr, H3649) — properly, an ascetic (as if shrunk with self-maceration), i.e. an idolatrous priest (only… גִּיל (gîyl, H1523) — properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e. usually… כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being…
Open source ↗יָבַל (yâbal, H2986) — properly, to flow; causatively, to bring (especially with pomp) אַשּׁוּר (ʼAshshûwr, H804) — Ashshur, the second son of Shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them… מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יָרֵב (Yârêb, H3377) — Jareb, a symbolical name for Assyria אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בׇּשְׁנָה (boshnâh, H1317) — shamefulness יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be… עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence
Open source ↗שֹׁמְרוֹן (Shômᵉrôwn, H8111) — Shomeron, a place in Palestine מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּמָה (dâmâh, H1820) — to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy קֶצֶף (qetseph, H7110) — a splinter (as chipped off); figuratively, rage or strife פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗בָּמָה (bâmâh, H1116) — an elevation אָוֶן (ʼÂven, H206) — Aven, the contemptuous synonym of three places, one in Coele-Syria, one in Egypt (On),… חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate קוֹץ (qôwts, H6975) — a thorn דַּרְדַּר (dardar, H1863) — a thorn עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… גִּבְעָה (gibʻâh, H1389) — a hillock נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or…
Open source ↗יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… גִּבְעָה (Gibʻâh, H1390) — Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עַלְוָה (ʻalvâh, H5932) — moral perverseness נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗אַוָּה (ʼavvâh, H185) — longing יָסַר (yâçar, H3256) — to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… אָסַר (ʼâçar, H631) — to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Open source ↗אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory עֶגְלָה (ʻeglâh, H5697) — a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e. a heifer) לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) דּוּשׁ (dûwsh, H1758) — to trample or thresh עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… טוּב (ṭûwb, H2898) — good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the… צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound) רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch שָׂדַד (sâdad, H7702) — to abrade, i.e. harrow afield
Open source ↗זָרַע (zâraʻ, H2232) — to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… קָצַר (qâtsar, H7114) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… נִיר (nîyr, H5214) — to till the soil נִיר (nîyr, H5215) — properly, plowing, i.e. (concretely) freshly plowed land עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָרָה (yârâh, H3384) — properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an… צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity
Open source ↗חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… רֶשַׁע (reshaʻ, H7562) — a wrong (especially moral) קָצַר (qâtsar, H7114) — to dock off, i.e. curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially… עֶוֶל (ʻevel, H5766) — (moral) evil אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) פְּרִי (pᵉrîy, H6529) — fruit (literally or figuratively) כַּחַשׁ (kachash, H3585) — literally a failure of flesh, i.e. emaciation; figuratively, hypocrisy בָּטַח (bâṭach, H982) — figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
Open source ↗שָׁאוֹן (shâʼôwn, H7588) — uproar (as of rushing); by implication, destruction קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, H4013) — a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender שָׁדַד (shâdad, H7703) — properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively) powerful (passively, impregnable); by… שַׁלְמַן (Shalman, H8020) — Shalman, a king apparently of Assyria שֹׁד (shôd, H7701) — violence, ravage בֵּית אַרְבֵּאל (Bêyth ʼArbêʼl, H1009) — Beth-Arbel, a place in Palestine יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… רָטָשׁ (râṭâsh, H7376) — to dash down בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Though Ephraim multiplied the altars for sin, they became his altars for sinning.
For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Is there iniquity in Gilead? They will surely come to nothing. Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.
“You must not make idols for yourselves or set up a carved image or sacred pillar; you must not place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God.
But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.
They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree.
So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become! I have found wealth for myself. In all my labors, they can find in me no iniquity that is sinful.”
Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!”
When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me.