John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. For they are gone up to Assyria , etc.] Or, “though they should go up to Assyria” f154 ; to the king of Assyria, to gain his friendship, and enter into alliance with him; as, when Pal king of Assyria came against them, Menahem king of Israel went forth to meet him, and gave him a thousand talents of silver to be his confederate, and strengthen his kingdom, ( Kings 15:19); yet this hindered not but that Israel was at length swallowed up by that people, and scattered by them among the nations; for this is not to be understood of their going captive into the land of Assyria, as the Targum interprets it: a wild ass alone by himself ; which may be applied either to the king of Assyria, and be considered as a description of him, to whom Israel went for help and friendship; who, though he took their present, and made them fair promises, yet was perfidious, unsociable, and inhuman, studied only his own advantage, and not their good: or to the Israelites that went to him, who were as sottish and stupid as the ass, and as headstrong and unruly as that, and, like it, lustful, and impetuous in their lusts; running to and fro for the satisfying of them, and taking no advice, nor suffering themselves to be controlled, and, being alone, became an easy prey to the Assyrian lion: or yet they should be as “a wild ass alone by itself” f155 ; notwithstanding all the methods they took to obtain the friendship and alliance of the king of Assyria, yet they should be carried captive by him, and dwell in the captivity like a wild ass in the wilderness; and so it is to be understood here, agreeably to ( Job 24:5 Jeremiah 2:24); otherwise, as Bochart has proved from various writers, these creatures go in flocks: Ephraim hath hired lovers ; by giving presents to the kings of Assyria and Egypt, to be their allies and confederates, patrons and defenders, ( Kings 15:19 17:3,4); who are represented as their gallants, with whom Ephraim or the ten tribes committed adultery, departing from God their Husband, and liege Lord and King, and from his true worship; (see Ezekiel 16:26,28,33 23:4,5). R. Elias Levita observes, that some interpret the words, “Ephraim made a covenant with lovers”.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The manifold sins of Israel. (Hos. 7:1-7) Their senselessness an hypocrisy. (Hos. 7:8-16)
Hos. 7:1-7 A practical disbelief of God's government was at the botto of all israel's wickedness; as if God could not see it or did not hee it. Their sins appear on every side of them. Their hearts were inflame by evil desires, like a heated oven. In the midst of their troubles a a nation, the people never thought of seeking help from God. The actua wickedness of men's lives bears a very small proportion to what is in their hearts. But when lust is inwardly cherished, it will break fort into outward sin. Those who tempt others to drunkenness never can be their real friends, and often design their ruin. Thus men execute the Divine vengeance on each other. Those are not only heated with sin, but hardened in sin, who continue to live without prayer, even when in trouble and distress.
Hos. 7:8-16 Israel was as a cake not turned, half burnt and half dough none of it fit for use; a mixture of idolatry and of the worship of Jehovah. There were tokens of approaching ruin, as grey hairs are of old age, but they noticed them not. The pride which leads to break the law of God leads to self-flattery. The mercy and grace of God are the only refuge to which obstinate sinners never think of fleeing. Thoug they may howl forth their terrors in the form of prayers, they seldo cry to God with their hearts. Even their prayers for earthly mercie only seek fuel for their lusts. Their turning from one sect, sentiment form, or vice, to another, still leaves them far short of Christ an holiness. Such are we by nature. And such shall we prove if left to ourselves. Create in us a clean heart, Of God, and renew a right spiri within us _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew כי3588 המה1992 עלו5927 אשׁור804 פרא6501 בודד909 לו אפרים669 התנו8566 אהבים׃158
