Hosea

aAs anticipated at the end of chapter 5, Israel seeks GOD’s favor; the answer begins with v. 4. “Come, let us turn back to GOD:The One who attacked, and so can heal us;Who wounded, and so can bind us up.

In two days [God] will make us whole again,And on the third day raise us up;God’s favor will make us whole.

Let us pursue devotion to GOD,And we shall become devout.As sure as daybreak is God’s appearance,Which will come to us like rain,Like latter rain that refreshesbrefreshes Taking yoreh as equivalent of yarweh. the earth.”

What can I do for you, Ephraim,What can I do for you, Judah,cJudah Emendation yields “Israel”; cf. “Ephraim…Israel” in v. 10. When your goodness is like morning clouds,Like dew so early gone?

That is why I have hewn down the prophets,dthe prophets Emendation yields “your children”; cf. 9.13. Have slain them with the words of My mouth:And the day that dawned [brought on] your punishment.eAnd the day that dawned [brought on] your punishment Cf. v. 3; but meaning of Heb. uncertain.

For I desire goodness, not sacrifice;Devotion to God, rather than burnt offerings.

fMeaning of vv. 7–11 unclear in part. But they, as human beings [are wont to do],ghuman beings [are wont to do] Or “at Adam,” a town in central Transjordan; cf. Josh. 3.16. have transgressed the Covenant.This is where they have been false to Me:

Gilead is a city of evildoers,Tracked up with blood.

The gang of priests isLike the ambuscade of banditsWho murder on the road to Shechem,For they have encouragedhencouraged Heb. “done”; cf. 5.1–3. depravity.

In the House of Israelithe House of Israel Emendation yields “Beth-shean.” I have seenA horrible thing;Ephraim has fornicated there,Israel has defiled himself.

(Even Judah has reaped a harvest of you!)j(Even Judah has reaped a harvest of you!) Cf. 5.9–10; but meaning of clause uncertain. When I would restore My people’s fortunes,