and their abominations were according as they loved.

11 As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.

12 Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!

13 Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer.

14 Give them, O LORD: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts.

15 All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters. 16 Ephraim is smitten, their root

CHAP. IX.

[exhausted vine.

is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.

17 My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations. (I)

CHAP. X.

ISR SRAEL is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images.

2 Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

3 For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?

(I) Israel's guilty conduct, and the miseries it produced. "In this chapter, the captivity and dispersion of Israel is again threatened, the prospect of which fills the Prophet with such terror, as to make him wish their women should be barren, rather than bring forth children to slavery or slaughter.

"He begins with reproving them for their sacrifices and rejoicings on their cornfloors, by which they ascribed to idols, as the heathen did, the praise of all their plenty; for which reason, they are threatened with famine, and devoted to exile in a land where they should be polluted; and want the means of worshipping the God of their fathers, or observing the solemnities of his appointment. Nay more, they shall

fall before the destroyer, (some of them) be buried in Egypt, and leave their own pleasant places desolate. The time, too, is declared to be at hand, according to God's revelation by "the watchman" (or true Prophet), whatever might be alleged by false prophets, who pretended to have the Spirit, but who in fact ensnared the souls of others, and like the men of Gibeah, drew deep guilt on themselves. In the succeeding verses, God is introduced declaring his early favour for his people, and the delight he took in their obedience; but now they had so deeply revolted, all their glory will take wing, God will forsake them, and their offspring be devoted to destruction; to destruction twice repeated, to intimate its being both sure and terrible." (Dr. J. Smith.)

Ver. 10. As the first-ripe.-See Jer. xxiv. 2.-Bual-peor.-See Num. xxv. 3, &c.

Ver. 11. From the birth-Boothroyd, "There shall be no birth, no pregnancy, no conception;" i. e. there shall be no increase. To the same effect Newcome, Wheeler, &c.

Ver. 12. Though-Boothroyd, &c. "Yea, though." Ver. 13. Ephraim, as I san (or see) Tyrus. Samaria was situated on a high and pleasant hill. See 1 Kings xvi. 24.

Ver. 14. A miscarrying womb-Heb. "A womb that casteth the fruit."

Ver. 15. Gilgal-A place infamous for idolatry, and where it is supposed one of "the golden calves"

was some time placed. See chap. iv. 15; also Amos iv. 4; v. 5. Calmet.

Ver. 16. The beloved fruit-their darling offspring.

A

CHAP. X. Ver. 1. An empty vine- Marg. vine emptying (or casting) the fruit it giveth."According to the multitude of his fruit, &c.—that is, as their prosperity increased, so did their idolatry. --Goodly images-Heb. "Statues ;" i, e. idols. Ver. 2. Faulty-that is, "guilty."

Ver. 3. We have no king-this oracle was probably delivered during the nine years anarchy which preceded the reign of king Hoshea (B. C. about 730). --Do to us-rather," for us," Secker and Horsley.

Ephraim's tubbornness]

4 They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

5 The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory there of, because it is departed from it.

6 It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be ashamed of his own counsel.

7 As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.

8 The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

9 O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of iniquity did not overtake

them.

10 It is in my desire that I should

CHAP. X.

[and rebellion chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind themselves in their two furrows.

11 And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.

12 Sow to yourselves in righteous. ness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righte ousness upon you.

13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude d thy mighty men.

14 Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Beth-arbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

15 So shall Beth-el do unto you be cause of your great wickedness: in morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off. (K)

(K) Israel compared to an exhausted and ruined vine. In this chapter the subject is pursued allegorically. Israel is compared to a vine which had been flourish ing and fruitful, but was now weakened and corrupted by prosperity, luxury and idolatry: so that though its branches were

still widely extended, and its leaves lur uriant, yet, alas! it cast its fruit, and pro duced no wine to "cheer the heart of God." (Judg. ix. 13.) Their hearts became d vided between the true God and idols, an it was soon apparent from the multitude of their altars, to which they were ma inclined. Their idolatry is then enlarged

Ver. 4. Thus judgment—that is, God's punishments of their iniquities spring up rapidly on every side.

Ver. 5. The calves- Newcome, &c." Calf," on the authority of the ancient versions; possibly the form was duplex, but the following sentence confirms the versions. Mourn over it (or him).-For Beth-aven, formerly Beth-el, the house of God," chap. xii. 4, was now Beth-aven," the house of sin,' because of its idolatries.- The priests-Heb. "Chemarim, the sacrificers." So Newcome, &c.

Ver. 6. King Jareb.-See Note on chap. v. 13. Ver. 7. Upon the water Heb. "Face of the water." Newcome explains this, "Many kings of Samaria have rapidly passed away by assassination, and Hoshea shall soon be cut off by the king of Assyria."

Ver. 8. Aven -the same as Beth-aven, ver. 5. Ver. 9. From-Newc. " More than." In the. days of Gibeah-See chap. ix. 9. Newcome," Did not the war overtake them in Gibeah ?”

Ver. 10. That I should-Horsley, " And I will

When they shall bind, &c. Margin," When! shall bind them (or chastise thei) for their tro iniquities;" i. e. the calves in Dan and Bethe Newcome.

Ver. 11. Loveth to tread out the corn- Becas they were unmuzzled." Deut. XXV. 4. Secker.--I passed over her fair neck-Newcome, Boothroyd, &t. supply the word "yoke;""I passed the yoke ore," &c.--I will make Ephraim to ride.—Might ne not, without violence, read, "I will ride (or causT to be ridden) Ephraim"? The place is very difficu but the sense appears to us to be, that all should be subjected to severe labour, like cattle brought under the yoke: some should be used for riding for honed cattle are rode in the East), and others for plowing Ver. 14. As Shatman-that is, Shalmanezer. S 2 Kings xviii. 33, &c.

Ver. 15. So shall Bethel do, &c.—that is, as the idolatry of other nations brought on them destruc tion, so shall the idolatry of Bethel be your rain.

Israel's ingratitude]

CHAP. XI.

HEN Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

2 As they called them, so they went from them they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

3 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to re

turn.

6 And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.

7 And my people are bent to back sliding from me though they called

[and disobedience.

them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

91 will not execute the fierceness of mine auger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee and I will not enter into the city.

10 They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.

11 They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in their houses, saith the LORD.

12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints. (L)

on, and its fatal consequences declared in very feeling terms. God is now introduced complaining of their extreme guilt, and threatening them with captivity in terms that bear a manifest allusion to their favourite idolatry, the worshipping of the golden calf, or heifer. Upon which the Prophet, in a beautiful allegory, suggested by the preceding metaphors, exhorts them to repentance, and warns them of the dreadful consequences of persevering in their past course.

CHAP. XI.

(L) God's tenderness to Israel, notwithstanding their ingratitude.—“This chapter gives a very pathetic representation of God's tender and affectionate regard for Israel, by metaphors chiefly borrowed from the conduct of mothers towards their tender offspring. From this, occasion is taken to reflect on their ungrateful returns to the Divine goodness, and to threaten them with deserved punishment. But suddenly and unexpectedly the pros

CHAP. XI. Ver. 1. And called my son out of Egypt. These words certainly refer, in the first instance, to Is ael, but admit of an easy accommodation to Christ himself, Matt. ii. 15.

Ver. 2. As they called, &c. - The LXX and other versions read, "When I called, then they departed from me:" and this, as it gives a good sense, is adopted by Newcome, Boothroyd, and others. Perhaps the true sense is, the more they were called to, the farther they went astray. Compare ch, xiii. 2.

Ver. 4. That take off (or lift up) the yoke (that is) upon their jaws.-"It is very probable that these words refer to the custom of (occasionally) raising the yoke forward, to cool the neck of the labouring beast." See Lowth in Isa. i. 3.

Ver. 5. He shall not reture, &c.-Dr. Forsayeth, "Shall he not return?" In other parts of this book, returning to Egypt is threatened as a punishment. See chap. vii. 16; viii. 13; ix. 3, 6, &c.—Because they refused to return- namely, to the Lord. Ver. 6. The sword shali abide - Horsley, "Shall

weary itself in his cities, and consume his diviners, and devour, because," &c.

Ver.7. Though they cuiledi. e. "Though they (i. e. Israel) were called to return to the Most High, none of them would unite to exalt (him);" or, as Bp. Horsley, All of one mind, they would not be exalted."

Ver. 9. I will not enter into the city-Bp. Lowth, "Though I inhabit not thy cities." Lect. xix.

Ver. 10. He shall roar.-The style is here very abrupt; Newcome supplies, " (When) he shall roar, then shall their sons hasten (not tremble) from the west."

Ver. 11. They shall tremble-Newcome, "hasten," Horsley, hurry" from the west.

Ver. 12. But Judah yet ruleth- that is, says Boothroyd, "Maintained the law of God, and adhered to his worship professedly; and were, in comparison of Israel, a faithful people :"-" the people of the Most Holy One are faithful."

Ephraim reproved for]

CHAP. XII.

EPHRAIM feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt.

2 The Lord hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.

3 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Beth-el, and there he spake with

[deceit and injustice.

8 And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me, that were sin.

9 And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feasts.

10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altar are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

12 And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

13 And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.

14 Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him. (M)

pect changes. Beams of mercy break from the clouds just now fraught with vengeance. God, to speak in the language of meu, feels the relentings of a tender parent -bis bowels yearn,-his mercy triumphs, -his rebellious child shall yet be pardoned. As the lion of the tribe of Judah, he will exert his power to save his people. He will call his children from the land of their captivity and dispersion, and with the swiftness of doves they will fly to him, a faithful and a holy people.-This prophecy was partly fulfilled in consequence of Cyrus's decree, but in its fullest extent remains to be accomplished in the future

restoration of the Jews to their own land." (Dr. Jn. Smith.)

CHAP. XII.

(M) Israel and Judah reproved, and or horted to repentance, by a recollection of God's special mercies.-God compares the dangerous and unprofitable pursuits of Ephraim to his feeding upon the wind-the pestilential east wind.

Addressing Jacob, the Lord adverts to his natural cunning in supplanting Esau; and contrasts with this his subsequent piety, when "as a prince" he had power over the angel of the covenant at Peniel. This,

CHAP. XII. Ver. 1. Ephraim feedeth on .... the east wind.-To feed on the wind, is to feed on that which is unsubstantial; to feed on the east wind, is to feed on what is noxious and dangerous; see Note on Job xv. 2.-Oil is carried into Egypt-to assist in the idolatrous illuminations of the Nile. Harmer, Ver.2. Will punish-Heb. "Will visit upon." Ver 3. He took his brother by the heel.-See Gen. xx. 26.- He had power with God.-Gen. xxxii. 28. Ver.4. Ile found him in Beckel.-Gen. xxxv. 9, 10. Ver. 5. The Lord is his memorial. — Exod. iii. 15. i. e. “God's memorial; his appropriate, perpetual, incommunicable name, expressing his essence." Bp. Horsley. Compare Expos. and N., Gen. xxxii. Ver. 7. He is a merchant-or Canaanite, or traf

ficker. The balances Compare ver. 3-B loveth to oppress-Marg. To deceive." Ver. 8. In all my labours, &c. - Marg. “All labours suffice me not: he shall have punishment 65 iniquity in whom is (found) sin."

Ver. 10. And used similitudes-by the ministry (Heb. "hand") of the prophets. In other wa I have employed types, or parables, to contes, 14 a sensible manner to their thoughts, my purposes le ward them." Bp. Chandler, who quotes the Rabb Jarchi and Kimchi, to the same effect.

Ver. 11. As heaps in the furrows-that is, so 59

Israel's self-destruction,]

CHAP. XIII.

[and help in God.

is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there

he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. 2 And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

3 Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud, and as the early dew that passeth away; as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.

4 Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me.

5 I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.

6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

7 Therefore I will be unto them as a lion as a leopard by the way will I observe them:

:

8 I will meet them as a bear that

beast shall tear them.

9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.

10 I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes?

11 I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. 12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.

13 The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of the breaking forth of children.

14 I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

15 Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the LORD shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels.

says Bp. Horsley, is "no other than he whom the patriarch found at Bethel, who there spake with the Israelites in the loins of their progenitor. He, whom the Patriarch found at Bethel,.... was, by the tenor of the context, the antagonist with whom he was matched at Peniel;....and who wrestled with the patriarch in the human form. The conflict was no sooner ended,

than the patriarch acknowledged his antagonist as God.... And to make the assertion of this person's Godhead, if possible, still more unequivocal, he adds, that to him belonged, as his appropriate memorial, that name which is declarative of the very essence of the Godhead-JEHOVAH is his Memorial." (See Gen. xxxii. 24-30.)

CHAP. XIII. Ver. 2. They sin more and moreHeb. “ Add to sin;" i. e. increase in idolatries.——— Kiss the calves-this was part of their idolatrous service, as we see in 1 Kings xix. 18; and Cicero informs us this rite was common among the heathens. See Newcome.For the men that sacrifice - Secker, Horsley, and others, read with our margin, "The sacrificers of men :" but query?

Ver. 4. Thou shall know-Newcome, Boothroyd, &c. render it in the past tense, Thou hast known." We should rather render it in the imperfect, "Thon didst know," namely, at that time. See Deut.

Xxxii. 12.

Ver. 3. The wild beast-Heb. "Beast of the field." Ver. 11. Igave thee a king-namely, Saul. 1 Sam. viii. 5, 19, &c., xv, 23.

I

Ver. 12. Bound up.-See Job. xiv. 17. Ver. 13. Stay long-Heb. "Any time;" i. e. loiter and hesitate in his decision. 1 Kings xviii. 21. Ver. 14. From the power-Heb. " hand." will be thy plagues Literally, Thy sentence." The plague was understood to come immediately from God. St. Paul refers to this passage, I Cor. xv. 55.- -Repentance shall be hid—that is, I will not repent of this decree.

Ver. 15. An east wind-the east wind was blighting and drying.-See Ezek. xix. 12.--The wind of the Lord that is, a wind specially sent by him. See Ps. Ixviii. 33.-Pleasant vessels-Heb. "Vessels of desire."

Ver. 16. They shall fall by the sword.- Compare 2 Chron. xxv. 13.