Chapters 2—4 are Jehovah the Husband’s major complaint against Israel the wife’s apostasy, her spiritual fornication, her worshipping and making idols. By worshipping idols, Israel broke the first four commandments of the law (Exo. 20:1-11), which concern her relationship with God. Chapters 5—6 are Jehovah the Husband’s further complaint against Israel (actually Judah) the wife’s wickednesses in detail. The details concerning her evil conduct show that she also broke the last five commandments of the law (Exo. 20:13-17), those concerning man’s relationship with man.

See note Deut. 4:1¹.

Or, evenings.

Lit., visit (i.e., for punishment). So throughout the book.

Following the Septuagint; the Masoretic text reads, He who speaks.

Lit., you.

Lit., you.

I.e., the autumn rain and the spring rain.

The priests actually were judges (see note Deut. 17:9¹), and they should have judged the cases of the people according to God’s law. However, they judged, ruled, by their own authority, i.e., according to their opinion. The people loved it this way. This may indicate that the people were bribing the priests.