Hos 2:2-5 | JFB | STEP | 2. Plead-- expostulate. mother-- that is, the nation collectively. The address is to "her children," that is, to the individual citizens of the state (compare ). for she is not my wife-- She has deprived herself of her high privilege by spiritual adultery. out of her sight-- rather, "from her face." Her very countenance unblushingly betrayed her lust, as did also her exposed "breasts."

‏ Hosea 2:2-5

2. Plead--expostulate.

mother--that is, the nation collectively. The address is to "her children," that is, to the individual citizens of the state (compare Is 50:1).

for she is not my wife--She has deprived herself of her high privilege by spiritual adultery.

out of her sight--rather, "from her face." Her very countenance unblushingly betrayed her lust, as did also her exposed "breasts."

3. set her as in the day ... born--(Eze 16:4; 23:25, 26, 28, 29). The day of her political "birth" was when God delivered her from the bondage of Egypt, and set up the theocracy.

make her as a wilderness--(Jr 6:8; Zep 2:13). Translate, "make her as the wilderness," namely, that in which she passed forty years on her way to her goodly possession of Canaan. With this agrees the mention of "thirst" (compare Jr 2:6).

4. her children--Not even her individual members shall escape the doom of the nation collectively, for they are individually guilty.

5. I will go after--The Hebrew expresses a settled determination.

lovers--the idols which Israel fancied to be the givers of all their goods, whereas God gave all these goods (Ho 2:8-13; compare Jr 44:17-19).

bread and ... water--the necessaries of life in food.

wool ... flax--clothing.

oil ... drink--perfumed unguents and palatable drinks: the luxuries of Hebrew life.