Book of Hosea Chapter 5 Vs. 8

 Punishment Coming for Israel and Judah

Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin. Hos. 5:8

Blow ye the... The sound of battle trumpets was about to be heard in Israel. An invading force would sweep to the borders of the Southern Kingdom. Gibeah and Ramah were located a few miles north of Jerusalem in Benjamite territory in the Southern Kingdom (cf. Jos. 18:25, 18:28). The enemy was already upon them and thus her watchmen were to sound the alarm (Num. 10:9).

Bethaven... Beth-aven, house of naught—referring to Beth-el where Jeroboam set up one of the golden calves to worship (1Kgs. 12:28-33; 13:1).

Gibeah … Ramah: Located on Judah’s northern border with Israel.

These places mentioned are the line of attack. It shows the progression of the battle. The cornet was an instrument that could be heard from great distance, and the silver trumpet was blown to call the people to battle. Beth-haven was a place near, and the trumpet could be heard by Benjamin.

cry aloud at... Beth Aven (probably Bethel; cf. Hos. 4:15), though originally a Benjamite town (Jos. 18:22), was then just inside Israel’s southern border. Beth-aven, (Bethel). situated in southern Israel (4:15). All three were strategic defense cities.

After thee, O... The significance of the last clause in Hos. 5:8, lead on, O Benjamin (lit., behind you, O Benjamin) is not clear. The same expression appears in Deborah’s song in reference to mustering Israel’s troops (Jdg. 5:14). At that time Benjamin went ahead of Ephraim into battle against the northern Canaanite forces (NASB). Perhaps this ancient song was given a sarcastic twist by Hosea.

Blow ye the... The sound of battle trumpets was about to be heard in Israel. An invading force would sweep to the borders of the Southern Kingdom. Gibeah and Ramah were located a few miles north of Jerusalem in Benjamite territory in the Southern Kingdom (cf. Jos. 18:25, 18:28). The enemy was already upon them and thus her watchmen were to sound the alarm (Num. 10:9).