Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Eagle. It makes a noise like a trumpet. Pliny x. 3.—Osee denounces judgments on the house of Israel, which, though schismatical, was not entirely abandoned by the Lord. Salmanasar overturned the kingdom, and may be compared to an eagle, as Nabuchodonosor is frequently, Ezechiel 17:3. But he is not here meant. Calmet.—The temple shall be destroyed by him; (Saint Jerome) yet not so soon. Worthington.—Septuagint “In their bosom like earth appears, like an eagle,” and so forth Bible.
Verse 2. Know thee. They resemble those to whom our Saviour will reply, Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 7:22. Calmet.
Verse 3. Him. Septuagint “they have pursued the enemy.” But the former sense is better. Bible.—The Assyrians prevailed. Saint Jerome—They carried Israel into captivity, before Juda. verse 9.
Verse 4. They. Jeroboam and Jehu were assured by the prophets that they should reign, yet this was not a sanction of their right. God condemned their ambition and wicked conduct. The successors of Zarharias had still less pretensions to the throne. God permits such things. The people had not consulted him in these changes. Calmet.—Kings were their own choice. 1 Kennicott. 18. Saul rose by their “error.” Saint Jerome—Knew, or approved not. verse 2. Matthew 25:12. Calmet.—Perish. This was the effect, though contrary to their intention. Bible.
Verse 5. Calf. The idol is broken in pieces, and carried away by the victorious enemy. Thus does the vanity of such gods appear. Their captivity is therefore often foretold. Jeremiah 43:12.—Cleansed. The physician is disgusted with the obstinacy of the sick. Calmet.—How long will Israel resist the Holy Ghost? Acts 7:51. Bible.
Verse 6. Israel. This enhances the crime. Can a people so highly favoured adore the work of an artist?—Webs, such as appear on a fine day in autumn. S. Jerom’s master suggested that this was the sense. Interpreters vary. Calmet.—Septuagint and Th. “is delusive.” Sym. and so forth “instable;” shebabim. Bible.—Some erroneously read v instead of i. “The Lord casts off the calves of heretics, … and wonders that people should prefer heretical filth before the cleanliness of the Church.” Saint Jerome
Verse 7. Whirlwind. They shall be punished for their folly, nor shall they reap any advantage from idols.—In it, or in Israel. The seed which I have sown yields no fruit. If any come up, the mildew destroys it. Yea, though any should come to perfection, which is impossible, it should be given to strangers. My people perform no acts of religion; or at least they render them useless, by adoring idols. Calmet.—He speaks in general terms, as few continued faithful. Yet even in the worst of times, seven thousand were found. 3 Kennicott. 19:18. Bible.
Verse 8. Vessel. The nations around despised them, after they had applied to the Assyrians, who were looked upon as enemies of all independent states. Israel was not yet in captivity: but this event may be spoken of as if already past.
Verse 9. Wild ass. It is very jealous of liberty, (Job 11:12) and of its females, so that it prevents the young males from becoming its rivals. Pliny viii. 30. Solin xxx.—If this were true, the species would soon perish. Bible.—The Israelites disdained subjection to strangers. They even rejected God, their king; for which reason he abandons them to servitude, in a foreign land. They had run furiously after idols, and had given presents to such lovers.
Verse 10. Princes. Hebrew “king of kings.” This proud title was afterwards taken by the monarchs of Babylon and Persia. Israel ceased to pay taxes, having nothing left. They shall cease to be a people. Calmet.—Septuagint “I will receive them, and they shall cease a little to anoint a king and princes.” Bible.—They had none during the captivity, as they would not consult God before in their appointment. verse 4. He speaks ironically. I will conduct them beyond the Euphrates, where they shall have nothing to pay for some time. Calmet.—This wretched condition was of long continuance; (Tournemine) though short, if compared with their crimes. Bible.
Verse 12. Foreign. Shall I give them laws again to despise? Septuagint “I shall write down their number.” It will be an easy task, they shall be so diminished. “His laws,” and so forth ( Calmet.) or, “I will describe to him a multitude, and his regulations: The beloved altars have been deemed foreign. S. Jerom’s and Grabe’s edit. Bible.
Verse 13. Egypt, to escape the Assyrian. Calmet. 9:3. Calmet.—They have imitated the Egyptian idols. Saint Jerome—Osee had applied to their king for aid. 4 Kennicott. 17:4.
Verse 14. Temples, or “palaces.” Calmet.—Cities. The two tribes, witnessing the calamities of their brethren, will not avoid a similar conduct, but trust in their fortifications. Worthington.—Fire of war destroys both kingdoms.—Thereof. Septuagint of S. Jerom adds, “and among the Assyrians they have eaten unclean things,” which may be taken from Calmet. 9:3. Bible.—It is not found in the present Hebrew or Greek copies. Calmet.