Nov 12 2007
Notes on Hosea 6:8-7:2
All quotes are from the WEB Bible unless noted otherwise. All links, unless noted otherwise, are from the RSV.
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NOTES
6:8 Gilead- This is the only time the city of Gilead is mentioned in the Bible, where it was situated is unknown, if it existed at all. Gilead is elsewhere spoken of as a territory. It was situated it the Trans-Jordain region and was settled by the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh. It is possible that the whole territory is being described as a city or, the important city of Ramoth, which was in Gilead, is being spoken of. It was in this city that Jehu, whose dynasty is condemned by Hosea (1:4-5), came to power. This may have something to do with the harsh words directed towards the territory which seems to have been the first to experience God’s displeasure during Jehu’s reign (2 Kings 10:31-33).
The inhabitants are described as those who work iniquity. Iniquity translates aven, which is used elsewhere in the pejorative term Beth-aven (house of iniquity) as a designation for the shrine at Bethel (4:15). Perhaps the iniquity referred to is the fact that they continue to frequent the false shrine in direct violation of the covenant.
Vs 9 As gangs of robbers wait to ambush a man, so the company of priests murder in the way toward Shechem committing shameful crimes. In Deuteronomy 27 Moses laid down regulations for a covenant renewal ceremony which was to take place at shechem. Such a renewal ceremony is spoken of as taking place under Joshua’ leadership in Joshua 24. It was also at Shechem that the split between the ten northern tribes and the two southern tribes took place( 1 Kings 12). The split was willed by God as punishment for Solomon’s sins (1 Kings 11:11-13) , but it was only intended as a political split, the North quickly turned it into a religious schism, complete with false priests (1 Kings 12:26-32). The murder of people may refer to the spiritual deaths caused by the priests rather than to actual homicide. The phrase shameful crimes translates the word zimma, which can refer to the forming of plots (Is 2:7), or the act of adultery (Ez 16:27), or other sexual indecencies (Lev 20:14). Since covenant infidelity is often portrayed as adultery or sexual promiscuity (recall the first 3 chapters of Hosea), the crime may here be understood as such.
Vs 10 In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing. There is prostitution in Ephraim. Israel is defiled. Prostitution and defiled have sexual connotation, building on verse 9. Horrible thing is a term used to denote moral and religious corruption (Jer 5:30).
Vs 11 Also, Judah, there is a harvest appointed for you, when I restore the fortunes of my people. Though Hosea is concerned with the northern kingdom primarily, the southern kingdom of Judah does not escape completely from his concern. The restoration of the people of God, which would also include the reunification of the two kingdoms under a Davidic king (see 3:5), necessitates a cleansing of Judah.
7:1-2
Vs 1 When I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, also the wickedness of Samaria; for they commit falsehood, and the theif enters in, and the gang of robbers ravages outside.
Vs 2 They don’t consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Now their own deeds have engulfed them. They are before my face.
When I would heal Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered… hearkens back to 5:13-14, where the people are said to seek foreign alliances for “healing” (rather than God). The phrasing here obscures somewhat the basic meaning: “I desire to heal Israel but their perversity stands in my way.” Basically, these two verses sum up the content of chapter 6, which focused on the peoples feigned conversion and “religiosity.”
They don’t consider…that I remember all their wickedness. “They don’t consider” reminds us that a basic theme of Hosea is that the people have willfully rejected knowledge of God (4:1, 6). God certainly will not forgive sins willfully un-repented of. They are always present to God (”They are before my face).
