Lit., shields.
Lit., shields.
Hosea 5:8; 10:5; cf. 1 Kings 12:28-29
Meaning house of nothingness, or house of idolatry. It was probably applied contemptuously to Bethel, which had become a seat of idolatry (1 Kings 12:26-33; cf. Hosea 5:8; 10:5).
Gilgal was the center of idolatry (Hosea 9:15; 12:11; Amos 4:4; 5:5).
Technically, cult prostitutes (cf. Deut. 23:17).
Or, visit (i.e., for punishment). So throughout the book.
Instead of praying to God and inquiring of Him, God’s people inquired at their wooden post (idol).
The people of Israel had no heart for anything but fornication, wine, and new wine.
The priests, who had been sanctified, separated, to be a special group among the people, made themselves the same as the people, becoming low and common.
The priests desired that the people would sin, because the more the people sinned, the more sin offerings there would be for the priests to eat.
Referring again to the priests.
Referring back to v. 1.
Referring to the priest (v. 6).
Or, truth. As the unchaste wife of Jehovah, Israel became evil. Once a wife becomes unchaste, all kinds of evils follow. Once we forsake God, we too can do any kind of evil.