When the LORD spoke at first by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness; for the land commits great adultery, forsaking the LORD.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. Fornications. That is, a wife that hath been given to fornication. This was to represent the Lord’s proceedings with his people Israel, who, by spiritual fornication, were continually offending him. Challoner.—The prophet reclaimed her. Saint Jerome—She denoted Samaria, abandoned to idolatry. Ezekiel 16:15. Several such actions were prophetical. Many have supposed that this was only a parable; but the sequel proves the contrary. Calmet.—Of fornications. So called from the character of the mother, if not also from their own wicked dispositions. Challoner.—He is ordered to marry a woman who had been of a loose character, and to have children who would resemble her; ( Worthington.) or he takes her children to his house; (Grot.) unless the children of the prophet were so styled because the mother had been given to fornication. So the rod of Aaron retains its name when it was become a serpent. Exodus 7:12.—Shall, or rather, “has departed;” and therefore he denounces future chastisements.