HENCEFORTH THE PROPHET SPEAKS PLAINLY AND WITHOUT SYMBOL, IN TERSE, SENTENTIOUS PROPOSITIONS. (Hos. 4:1-19) In this chapter he reproves the people and priests for their sins in the interregnum which followed Jeroboam'…
1Oíd palabra de Jehová, hijos de Israel, porque Jehová contiende con los moradores de la tierra; porque no hay verdad, ni misericordia, ni conocimiento de Dios en la tierra.
2Perjurar, mentir, matar, hurtar y adulterar prevalecen, y homicidio tras homicidio se suceden.
3Por lo cual se enlutará la tierra, y se extenuará todo morador de ella, con las bestias del campo y las aves del cielo; y aun los peces del mar morirán.
4Ciertamente hombre no contienda ni reprenda a hombre, porque tu pueblo es como los que resisten al sacerdote.
5Caerás por tanto en el día, y caerá también contigo el profeta de noche; y a tu madre destruiré.
6Mi pueblo fue destruido, porque le faltó conocimiento. Por cuanto desechaste el conocimiento, yo te echaré del sacerdocio; y porque olvidaste la ley de tu Dios, también yo me olvidaré de tus hijos.
7Conforme a su grandeza, así pecaron contra mí; también yo cambiaré su honra en afrenta.
8Del pecado de mi pueblo comen, y en su maldad levantan su alma.
9Y será el pueblo como el sacerdote; le castigaré por su conducta, y le pagaré conforme a sus obras.
10Comerán, pero no se saciarán; fornicarán, mas no se multiplicarán, porque dejaron de servir a Jehová.
11Fornicación, vino y mosto quitan el juicio.
12Mi pueblo a su ídolo de madera pregunta, y el leño le responde; porque espíritu de fornicaciones lo hizo errar, y dejaron a su Dios para fornicar.
13Sobre las cimas de los montes sacrificaron, e incensaron sobre los collados, debajo de las encinas, álamos y olmos que tuviesen buena sombra; por tanto, vuestras hijas fornicarán, y adulterarán vuestras nueras.
14No castigaré a vuestras hijas cuando forniquen, ni a vuestras nueras cuando adulteren; porque ellos mismos se van con rameras, y con malas mujeres sacrifican; por tanto, el pueblo sin entendimiento caerá.
15Si fornicas tú, Israel, a lo menos no peque Judá; y no entréis en Gilgal, ni subáis a Bet-avén, ni juréis: Vive Jehová.
16Porque como novilla indómita se apartó Israel; ¿los apacentará ahora Jehová como a corderos en lugar espacioso?
17Efraín es dado a ídolos; déjalo.
18Su bebida se corrompió; fornicaron sin cesar; sus príncipes amaron lo que avergüenza.
19El viento los ató en sus alas, y de sus sacrificios serán avergonzados.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
I
Versículo 2
I. they break out--bursting through every restraint.
they break out--bursting through every restraint.
blood toucheth blood--literally, "bloods." One act of bloodshed follows another without any interval between (see Kg2 15:8-16, Kg2 15:25; Mic 7:2).
II
Versículo 3
II. land . . . languish-- (Isa 19:8; Isa 24:4; Joe 1:10, Joe 1:12).
land . . . languish-- (Isa 19:8; Isa 24:4; Joe 1:10, Joe 1:12).
sea--including all bodies of water, as pools and even rivers (see on Isa 19:5). A general drought, the greatest calamity in the East, is threatened.
III
Versículo 4
III. let no man . . . reprove--Great as is the sin of Israel, it is hopeless to reprove them; for thei…
let no man . . . reprove--Great as is the sin of Israel, it is hopeless to reprove them; for their presumptuous guilt is as great as that of one who refuses to obey the priest when giving judgment in the name of Jehovah, and who therefore is to be put to death (Deu 17:12). They rush on to their own destruction as wilfully as such a one.
thy people--the ten tribes of Israel; distinct from Judah (Hos 4:1).
IV
Versículo 5
IV. fall in the day--in broad daylight, a time when an attack would not be expected (see on Jer 6:4-5…
fall in the day--in broad daylight, a time when an attack would not be expected (see on Jer 6:4-5; Jer 15:8).
in . . . night--No time, night or day, shall be free from the slaughter of individuals of the people, as well as of the false prophets.
thy mother--the Israelitish state, of which the citizens are the children (Hos 2:2).
V
Versículo 6
V. lack of knowledge--"of God" (Hos 4:1), that is, lack of piety. Their ignorance was wilful, as the…
lack of knowledge--"of God" (Hos 4:1), that is, lack of piety. Their ignorance was wilful, as the epithet, "My people," implies; they ought to have known, having the opportunity, as the people of God.
thou--O priest, so-called. Not regularly constituted, but still bearing the name, while confounding the worship of Jehovah and of the calves in Beth-el (Kg1 12:29, Kg1 12:31).
I will . . . forget thy children--Not only those who then were alive should be deprived of the priesthood, but their children who, in the ordinary course would have succeeded them, should be set aside.
VI
Versículo 7
VI. As they were increased--in numbers and power. Compare Hos 4:6, "thy children," to which their "in…
As they were increased--in numbers and power. Compare Hos 4:6, "thy children," to which their "increase" in numbers refers.
so they sinned--(Compare Hos 10:1 and Hos 13:6).
will I change their glory into shame--that is, I will strip them of all they now glory in (their numbers and power), and give them shame instead. A just retribution: as they changed their glory into shame, by idolatry (Psa 106:20; Jer 2:11; Rom 1:23; Phi 3:19).
VII
Versículo 8
VII. eat . . . sin of my people--that is, the sin offerings (Lev 6:26; Lev 10:17). The priests greedil…
eat . . . sin of my people--that is, the sin offerings (Lev 6:26; Lev 10:17). The priests greedily devoured them.
set their heart on their iniquity--literally "lift up the animal soul to lust after," or strongly desire. Compare Deu 24:15, Margin; Psa 24:4; Jer 22:27. The priests set their own hearts on the iniquity of the people, instead of trying to suppress it. For the more the people sinned, the more sacrificial victims in atonement for sin the priests gained.
VIII
Versículo 9
VIII. like people, like priest--They are one in guilt; therefore they shall be one in punishment (Isa 2…
like people, like priest--They are one in guilt; therefore they shall be one in punishment (Isa 24:2).
reward them their doings--in homely phrase, "pay them back in their own coin" (Pro 1:31).
IX
Versículo 10
IX. eat, and not have enough--just retribution on those who "eat up (greedily) the sin of My people" …
eat, and not have enough--just retribution on those who "eat up (greedily) the sin of My people" (Hos 4:8; Mic 6:14; Hag 1:6).
whoredom, and . . . not increase--literally "break forth"; used of giving birth to children (Gen 28:14, Margin; compare Gen 38:29). Not only their wives, but their concubines, shall be barren. To be childless was considered a great calamity among the Jews.
X
Versículo 11
X. A moral truth applicable to all times. The special reference here is to the licentious orgies con…
A moral truth applicable to all times. The special reference here is to the licentious orgies connected with the Syrian worship, which lured Israel away from the pure worship of God (Isa 28:1, Isa 28:7; Amo 4:1).
take away the heart--that is, the understanding; make men blind to their own true good (Ecc 7:7).
XI
Versículo 12
XI. Instances of their understanding ("heart") being "taken away."
Instances of their understanding ("heart") being "taken away."
stocks--wooden idols (Jer 2:27; Hab 2:19).
staff--alluding to divination by rods (see on Eze 21:21-22). The diviner, says ROSENMULLER, threw a rod from him, which was stripped of its bark on one side, not on the other: if the bare side turned uppermost, it was a good omen; if the side with the bark, it was a bad omen. The Arabs used two rods, the one marked God bids, the other, God forbids; whichever came out first, in drawing them out of a case, gave the omen for, or against, an undertaking.
declareth--that is, is consulted to inform them of future events.
spirit of whoredoms--a general disposition on the part of all towards idolatry (Hos 5:4).
err--go astray from the true God.
from under their God--They have gone away from God under whom they were, as a wife is under the dominion of her husband.
XII
Versículo 13
XII. upon . . . mountains--High places were selected by idolaters on which to sacrifice, because of th…
upon . . . mountains--High places were selected by idolaters on which to sacrifice, because of their greater nearness to the heavenly hosts which they worshipped (Deu 12:2).
elms--rather, "terebinths" [MAURER].
shadow . . . good--screening the lascivious worshippers from the heat of the sun.
daughters . . . commit whoredom . . . spouses . . . adultery--in the polluted worship of Astarte, the Phœnician goddess of love.
XIII
Versículo 14
XIII. I will not punish . . . daughters--I will visit with the heaviest punishments "not" the unchaste …
I will not punish . . . daughters--I will visit with the heaviest punishments "not" the unchaste "daughters and spouses," but the fathers and husbands; for it is these who "themselves" have set the bad example, so that as compared with the punishment of the latter, that of the former shall seem as nothing [MUNSTER].
separated with whores--withdrawn from the assembly of worshippers to some receptacle of impurity for carnal connection with whores.
sacrifice with harlots--They commit lewdness with women who devote their persons to be violated in honor of Astarte. (So the Hebrew for "harlots" means, as distinguished from "whores"). Compare Num 25:1-3; and the prohibition, Deu 23:18.
not understand-- (Isa 44:18; Isa 45:20).
shall fall--shall be cast down.
XIV
Versículo 15
XIV. Though Israel's ten tribes indulge in spiritual harlotry, at least thou, Judah, who hast the lega…
Though Israel's ten tribes indulge in spiritual harlotry, at least thou, Judah, who hast the legal priesthood, and the temple rites, and Jerusalem, do not follow her bad example.
Gilgal--situated between Jordan and Jericho on the confines of Samaria; once a holy place to Jehovah (Jos 5:10-15; Sa1 10:8; Sa1 15:21); afterwards desecrated by idol-worship (Hos 9:15; 12-11; Amo 4:4; Amo 5:5; compare Jdg 3:19, Margin).
Beth-aven--that is, "house of vanity" or idols: a name substituted in contempt for Beth-el, "the house of God"; once sacred to Jehovah (Gen 28:17, Gen 28:19; Gen 35:7), but made by Jeroboam the seat of the worship of the calves (Kg1 12:28-33; Kg1 13:1; Jer 48:13; Amo 3:14; Amo 7:13). "Go up" refers to the fact that Beth-el was on a hill (Jos 16:1).
nor swear, The Lord liveth--This formula of oath was appointed by God Himself (Deu 6:13; Deu 10:20; Jer 4:2). It is therefore here forbidden not absolutely, but in conjunction with idolatry and falsehood (Isa 48:1; Eze 20:39; Zep 1:5).
XV
Versículo 16
XV. backsliding--Translate, "Israel is refractory, as a refractory heifer," namely, one that throws t…
backsliding--Translate, "Israel is refractory, as a refractory heifer," namely, one that throws the yoke off her neck. Israel had represented God under the form of "calves" (Kg1 12:28); but it is she herself who is one.
lamb in a large place--not in a good sense, as in Isa 30:23. Here there is irony: lambs like a large pasture; but it is not so safe for them as a small one, duly fenced from wild beasts. God will "feed" them, but it shall be with the "rod" (Mic 7:14). It shall be no longer in the narrow territory of Israel, but "in a large place," namely, they shall be scattered in exile over the wide realm of Assyria, a prey to their foes; as lambs, which are timid, gregarious, and not solitary, are a prey when scattered asunder to wild beasts.
16
Versículo 17
16. Ephraim--the ten tribes. Judah was at this time not so given to idolatry as afterwards.
Ephraim--the ten tribes. Judah was at this time not so given to idolatry as afterwards.
joined to--closely and voluntarily; identifying themselves with them as a whoremonger becomes one flesh with the harlot (Num 25:3; Co1 6:16-17).
idols--The Hebrew means also "sorrows," "pains," implying the pain which idolatry brings on its votaries.
let him alone--Leave him to himself. Let him reap the fruits of his own perverse choice; his case is desperate; say nothing to him (compare Jer 7:16). Here Hos 4:15 shows the address is to Judah, to avoid the contagion of Israel's bad example. He is bent on his own ruin; leave him to his fate, lest, instead of saving him, thou fall thyself (Isa 48:20; Jer 50:8; Jer 51:6, Jer 51:45; Co2 6:17).
17
Versículo 18
17. Their drink is sour--metaphor for utter degeneracy of principle (Isa 1:22). Or, unbridled licenti…
Their drink is sour--metaphor for utter degeneracy of principle (Isa 1:22). Or, unbridled licentiousness; not mere ordinary sin, but as abandoned as drunkards who vomit and smell sour with wine potations [CALVIN]. MAURER not so well translates, "When their drinking is over, they commit whoredoms," namely, in honor of Astarte (Hos 4:13-14).
her rulers--Israel's; literally, "shields" (compare Psa 47:9).
with shame . . . love, Give ye-- (Pro 30:15). No remedy could be effectual against their corruptions since the very rulers sold justice for gifts [CALVIN]. MAURER translates, "The rulers are marvelously enamored of shame." English Version is better.
18
Versículo 19
18. Israel shall be swept away from her land (Hos 4:16) suddenly and violently as if by "the wings of…
Israel shall be swept away from her land (Hos 4:16) suddenly and violently as if by "the wings of the wind" (Psa 18:10; Psa 104:3; Jer 4:11-12).
ashamed . . . of their sacrifices--disappointed to their shame in their hope of help through their sacrifices to idols.
Next: Hosea Chapter 5
Antiguo Testamento
Hosea — Capítulo 4
HENCEFORTH THE PROPHET SPEAKS PLAINLY AND WITHOUT SYMBOL, IN TERSE, SENTENTIOUS PROPOSITIONS. (Hos. 4:1-19) In this chapter he reproves the people and priests for their sins in the interregnum which followed Jeroboam'…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Oíd palabra de Jehová, hijos de Israel, porque Jehová contiende con los moradores de la tierra; porque no hay verdad, ni misericordia, ni conocimiento de Dios en la tierra.
2Perjurar, mentir, matar, hurtar y adulterar prevalecen, y homicidio tras homicidio se suceden.
3Por lo cual se enlutará la tierra, y se extenuará todo morador de ella, con las bestias del campo y las aves del cielo; y aun los peces del mar morirán.
4Ciertamente hombre no contienda ni reprenda a hombre, porque tu pueblo es como los que resisten al sacerdote.
5Caerás por tanto en el día, y caerá también contigo el profeta de noche; y a tu madre destruiré.
6Mi pueblo fue destruido, porque le faltó conocimiento. Por cuanto desechaste el conocimiento, yo te echaré del sacerdocio; y porque olvidaste la ley de tu Dios, también yo me olvidaré de tus hijos.
7Conforme a su grandeza, así pecaron contra mí; también yo cambiaré su honra en afrenta.
8Del pecado de mi pueblo comen, y en su maldad levantan su alma.
9Y será el pueblo como el sacerdote; le castigaré por su conducta, y le pagaré conforme a sus obras.
10Comerán, pero no se saciarán; fornicarán, mas no se multiplicarán, porque dejaron de servir a Jehová.
11Fornicación, vino y mosto quitan el juicio.
12Mi pueblo a su ídolo de madera pregunta, y el leño le responde; porque espíritu de fornicaciones lo hizo errar, y dejaron a su Dios para fornicar.
13Sobre las cimas de los montes sacrificaron, e incensaron sobre los collados, debajo de las encinas, álamos y olmos que tuviesen buena sombra; por tanto, vuestras hijas fornicarán, y adulterarán vuestras nueras.
14No castigaré a vuestras hijas cuando forniquen, ni a vuestras nueras cuando adulteren; porque ellos mismos se van con rameras, y con malas mujeres sacrifican; por tanto, el pueblo sin entendimiento caerá.
15Si fornicas tú, Israel, a lo menos no peque Judá; y no entréis en Gilgal, ni subáis a Bet-avén, ni juréis: Vive Jehová.
16Porque como novilla indómita se apartó Israel; ¿los apacentará ahora Jehová como a corderos en lugar espacioso?
17Efraín es dado a ídolos; déjalo.
18Su bebida se corrompió; fornicaron sin cesar; sus príncipes amaron lo que avergüenza.
19El viento los ató en sus alas, y de sus sacrificios serán avergonzados.
JAMIESON-FAUSSET-BROWN BIBLE COMMENTARY
Versículo 2
I. they break out--bursting through every restraint.
Versículo 3
II. land . . . languish-- (Isa 19:8; Isa 24:4; Joe 1:10, Joe 1:12).
Versículo 4
III. let no man . . . reprove--Great as is the sin of Israel, it is hopeless to reprove them; for thei…
Versículo 5
IV. fall in the day--in broad daylight, a time when an attack would not be expected (see on Jer 6:4-5…
Versículo 6
V. lack of knowledge--"of God" (Hos 4:1), that is, lack of piety. Their ignorance was wilful, as the…
Versículo 7
VI. As they were increased--in numbers and power. Compare Hos 4:6, "thy children," to which their "in…
Versículo 8
VII. eat . . . sin of my people--that is, the sin offerings (Lev 6:26; Lev 10:17). The priests greedil…
Versículo 9
VIII. like people, like priest--They are one in guilt; therefore they shall be one in punishment (Isa 2…
Versículo 10
IX. eat, and not have enough--just retribution on those who "eat up (greedily) the sin of My people" …
Versículo 11
X. A moral truth applicable to all times. The special reference here is to the licentious orgies con…
Versículo 12
XI. Instances of their understanding ("heart") being "taken away."
Versículo 13
XII. upon . . . mountains--High places were selected by idolaters on which to sacrifice, because of th…
Versículo 14
XIII. I will not punish . . . daughters--I will visit with the heaviest punishments "not" the unchaste …
Versículo 15
XIV. Though Israel's ten tribes indulge in spiritual harlotry, at least thou, Judah, who hast the lega…
Versículo 16
XV. backsliding--Translate, "Israel is refractory, as a refractory heifer," namely, one that throws t…
Versículo 17
16. Ephraim--the ten tribes. Judah was at this time not so given to idolatry as afterwards.
Versículo 18
17. Their drink is sour--metaphor for utter degeneracy of principle (Isa 1:22). Or, unbridled licenti…
Versículo 19
18. Israel shall be swept away from her land (Hos 4:16) suddenly and violently as if by "the wings of…