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Saturday, February 8, 2025

Book of Hosea Chapter 6 Vs. 8

Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant 


Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. Hos. 6:8

Gilead...

גִּלְעָד

gil‛āḏ: A proper noun designating Gilead:

A. A term used generally to refer to a mountainous, rugged area east of the Jordan and south of the Yarmuk River. Its name means "heap of a witness." At times it reached as far south as the northern tip of the Dead Sea. In some cases, it is spoken of as if it extended south to the Arnon River. It reached eastward to the eastern desert area. Basham was to the north of it; the Jabbok River is in its central area. The tribe of Gad lived in its central territory; Manasseh (N) and Reuben (S) touched it on the north/south respectfully. The name Gilead could apply to all of the Transjordanian territory (Deu. 2:36; 34:1; Jdg. 10:4-18; 11:5-29; 12:4-7; 20:1; Jer. 50:19). Each reference to Gilead must be studied in context to discern exactly what area is being referred to. It was a place of great abundance and prosperity (Song 4:1; 6:5; Jer. 22:6; Zec. 10:10). The term "balm of Gilead" expressed its healthy and proverbial luxury and wealth (Jer. 8:22; 46:11). It was, at times, a place where rebellions and wars were rampant (1Kgs. 22:1-4; 2Kgs. 8:28). In the narrowest use of the word, it refers to a city (Hos. 6:8).

B. It refers to a mountain west of the Jordan River. Some suggest the reference may be to Mount Gilboa.

C. The name of Manasseh's grandson and son of Machir (Num. 26:29-30). He fathered the Gileadites (Jos. 17:1-6). The heads of this clan demanded a ruling about the inheritance laws for families that had daughters but no sons.

D. The father of one of Israel's infamous judges (Jdg. 11:1-2). His mother was a prostitute.

E. It refers to Gilead, a Gadite chief, who was the son of Michael.

is a city... If we regard Gilead as it elsewhere is, as the country beyond Jordan, where the two tribes and a half dwelt, this will mean that the whole land was banded in one, as one city of evil-doers. It had a unity, but one of evil. As the whole world has been pictured as divided between the city of God and the city of the devil, consisting respectively of the children of God and the children of the devil; so the whole of Gilead may be represented as one city, whose inhabitants had one occupation in common, to work evil.

קִרְיָה

qiryāh: A feminine noun meaning a city or town. It refers to a city or town, often Jerusalem as the central city of Judah (Num. 21:28; Deu. 2:36; 3:4). It is used also as part of the proper name of many cities: Kiriatharba, city of Arba, Hebron (Jos. 15:13; 21:11). Jerusalem is called the city of the Great King (Psm. 48:2, 3). The word is used in its construct form qiryaṯ with a following word, e.g., the city of his strength, his fortress, a figurative expression in Pro. 10:15 (Jer. 49:25).

of them that work...

פָּעַל

pā‛al: A verb meaning to do, to make. It is used of constructing or making something (Psm. 7:13,14); or just to make (Isa. 41:4). It takes the sense of doing or practicing something, e.g., deceit (Hos. 7:1); righteousness (Psm. 15:2). Hence, it means to accomplish, to do, to perform, to make: God made His mountain into His dwelling (Exo. 15:17); and performed His works for His people (Num. 23:23; cf. Deu. 32:27). Job refers to God, his Maker, Creator (Job 36:3), where the word has the sense of God's creative activity in it. It is used figuratively of persons acting against God (Job 7:20; 35:6). It refers to doing what God hates, evil, iniquity (Psm. 5:5, 6); Pro. 10:29; Mic. 2:1); but also of doing the Lord's ordinances, His will (Zep. 2:3).

iniquity...

אָוֶן

āwen: A masculine noun meaning nothingness, trouble, sorrow, evil, or mischief. The primary meaning is that of emptiness and vanity. It is used to signify empty or futile pursuits (Pro. 22:8; Isa. 41:29); nothingness, in the sense of utter destruction (Amos 5:5); an empty word, implying falsehood or deceit (Psm. 10:7; Pro. 17:4; Zec. 10:2); wickedness or one who commits iniquity (Num. 23:21; Job 22:15; Psm. 14:4,5; 36:4; 101:8; Isa. 58:9; Mic. 2:1); evil or calamity (Job 5:6; Pro. 12:21; Jer. 4:15); and great sorrow (Deu. 26:14; Psm. 90:10; Hos. 9:4). In a metaphorical sense, the word is used once to signify an idol, strongly conveying the futility of worshiping an idol, which is, in fact, "nothing" (Isa. 66:3).

and is polluted... Murders committed there have polluted it, or murderers protected there against the law of God, who provided these cities a relief for such. as unawares, without malice, by chance slew his neighbor, not for willful murderers. Yet some for money or interest got in and were secured there; and probably many were kept out or delivered up to the avenger of blood contrary to the law. Thus, Gilead by name and all the rest of the cities of refuge intended too, were polluted with blood.

עָקֹב

āqGilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood. Hos. 6:8


Gilead...


גִּלְעָד

gil‛āḏ: A proper noun designating Gilead:

A. A term used generally to refer to a mountainous, rugged area east of the Jordan and south of the Yarmuk River. Its name means "heap of a witness." At times it reached as far south as the northern tip of the Dead Sea. In some cases, it is spoken of as if it extended south to the Arnon River. It reached eastward to the eastern desert area. Basham was to the north of it; the Jabbok River is in its central area. The tribe of Gad lived in its central territory; Manasseh (N) and Reuben (S) touched it on the north/south respectfully. The name Gilead could apply to all of the Transjordanian territory (Deu. 2:36; 34:1; Jdg. 10:4-18; 11:5-29; 12:4-7; 20:1; Jer. 50:19). Each reference to Gilead must be studied in context to discern exactly what area is being referred to. It was a place of great abundance and prosperity (Song 4:1; 6:5; Jer. 22:6; Zec. 10:10). The term "balm of Gilead" expressed its healthy and proverbial luxury and wealth (Jer. 8:22; 46:11). It was, at times, a place where rebellions and wars were rampant (1Kgs. 22:1-4; 2Kgs. 8:28). In the narrowest use of the word, it refers to a city (Hos. 6:8).

B. It refers to a mountain west of the Jordan River. Some suggest the reference may be to Mount Gilboa.

C. The name of Manasseh's grandson and son of Machir (Num. 26:29-30). He fathered the Gileadites (Jos. 17:1-6). The heads of this clan demanded a ruling about the inheritance laws for families that had daughters but no sons.

D. The father of one of Israel's infamous judges (Jdg. 11:1-2). His mother was a prostitute.

E. It refers to Gilead, a Gadite chief, who was the son of Michael.


is a city... If we regard Gilead as it elsewhere is, as the country beyond Jordan, where the two tribes and a half dwelt, this will mean that the whole land was banded in one, as one city of evil-doers. It had a unity, but one of evil. As the whole world has been pictured as divided between the city of God and the city of the devil, consisting respectively of the children of God and the children of the devil; so the whole of Gilead may be represented as one city, whose inhabitants had one occupation in common, to work evil.

קִרְיָה

qiryāh: A feminine noun meaning a city or town. It refers to a city or town, often Jerusalem as the central city of Judah (Num. 21:28; Deu. 2:36; 3:4). It is used also as part of the proper name of many cities: Kiriatharba, city of Arba, Hebron (Jos. 15:13; 21:11). Jerusalem is called the city of the Great King (Psm. 48:2, 3). The word is used in its construct form qiryaṯ with a following word, e.g., the city of his strength, his fortress, a figurative expression in Pro. 10:15 (Jer. 49:25).

of them that work...

פָּעַל

pā‛al: A verb meaning to do, to make. It is used of constructing or making something (Psm. 7:13,14); or just to make (Isa. 41:4). It takes the sense of doing or practicing something, e.g., deceit (Hos. 7:1); righteousness (Psm. 15:2). Hence, it means to accomplish, to do, to perform, to make: God made His mountain into His dwelling (Exo. 15:17); and performed His works for His people (Num. 23:23; cf. Deu. 32:27). Job refers to God, his Maker, Creator (Job 36:3), where the word has the sense of God's creative activity in it. It is used figuratively of persons acting against God (Job 7:20; 35:6). It refers to doing what God hates, evil, iniquity (Psm. 5:5, 6); Pro. 10:29; Mic. 2:1); but also of doing the Lord's ordinances, His will (Zep. 2:3).

iniquity...

אָוֶן

āwen: A masculine noun meaning nothingness, trouble, sorrow, evil, or mischief. The primary meaning is that of emptiness and vanity. It is used to signify empty or futile pursuits (Pro. 22:8; Isa. 41:29); nothingness, in the sense of utter destruction (Amos 5:5); an empty word, implying falsehood or deceit (Psm. 10:7; Pro. 17:4; Zec. 10:2); wickedness or one who commits iniquity (Num. 23:21; Job 22:15; Psm. 14:4,5; 36:4; 101:8; Isa. 58:9; Mic. 2:1); evil or calamity (Job 5:6; Pro. 12:21; Jer. 4:15); and great sorrow (Deu. 26:14; Psm. 90:10; Hos. 9:4). In a metaphorical sense, the word is used once to signify an idol, strongly conveying the futility of worshiping an idol, which is, in fact, "nothing" (Isa. 66:3).

and is polluted... Murders committed there have polluted it, or murderers protected there against the law of God, who provided these cities a relief for such. as unawares, without malice, by chance slew his neighbor, not for willful murderers. Yet some for money or interest got in and were secured there; and probably many were kept out or delivered up to the avenger of blood contrary to the law. Thus, Gilead by name and all the rest of the cities of refuge intended too, were polluted with blood.

עָקֹב

āqōḇ: This form actually represents two adjectives. The first means deceitful, insidious, "foot-printed." It is from the verb ‛āqaḇ and the noun ‛āqēḇ. As Jeremiah proclaimed God's efforts with sinful humanity, he also declared that the heart is more deceitful than anything (Jer 17:9). The other usage is related to the word for footprint. To describe the wickedness of Gilead, the prophet called it a town of bloody footprints (Hos. 6:8). The second adjective means steep, hilly. Isaiah spoke of making a path for the exiles to return, making the hilly places like a plain (Isa. 40:4). This famous passage is appropriated in the Gospels to describe John the Baptist's preparation for Jesus' ministry.

That the discourse comes back to the ritual is very intelligible. For what could make repentance stem so easy as the belief that forgiveness can be won by simply offering sacrifices? Then the prophet leaps upon what each new year of that anarchy revealed afresh the profound sinfulness of the people.


with blood...


מִן

min, מִנִּי

minniy, מִנֵּי

minnēy: A preposition used to indicate from, out of, away from; more than: after, since; immediately; because of, since, so that; without; direction as southward, etc.). Its spelling varies according to its location and usage. Its basic meaning is from, away from, out of. Its basic meanings only can be noted here, but its exact meaning is easily discerned from its context: (1) With verbs, it expresses separation spatially or figuratively (Exo. 19:14; Deu. 22:8; Jos. 10:7). It can be used with a verb not indicating separation, e.g., to stay away from strife (Pro. 20:3; Isa. 14:19). (2) With the basic sense of out of, from (Gen. 3:22-24; 4:10; 34:26; Exo. 2:10; 8:9,5; Jdg. 15:7; Psm. 40:2,3), it often indicates what something is made of or formed from (Gen. 2:19; Hos. 13:2). With a pronominal suffix meaning from it, it means of one piece with it (Exo. 25:19, 25:31). It indicates a cause for something, on account of, because (Exo. 2:23; 6:9; 1Kgs. 14:4; Pro. 20:4; Isa. 53:5). (3) It is used to mean something is a part of something else, a part or share of it (Gen. 6:19; 7:8; 39:11; Num. 16:2). It indicates some of in an indefinite sense (Exo. 16:27; Lev. 25:49; Psm. 137:3). When repeated it means some . . . others or its equivalent expression (1Chr. 9:28-29). (4) It is used to mark time: from, since (Deu. 9:24), from a certain day or time (Lev. 22:27; Num. 15:23; 1Sam. 18:9). It is used in phrases to mean from ancient times, antiquity (Hab. 1:12); from of old (Isa. 42:14). It indicates right after a certain time (Gen. 38:24; Jos. 23:1; Ezk. 38:8). (5) Paired with ‛aḏ it usually means from . . . even to, as far as (Gen. 10:19; 15:18; Exo. 11:7; Jer. 51:62). In a figurative sense, this same construction can mean e.g., from young . . . to old, both inclusive (Gen. 19:4; 1Sam. 5:9; Jer. 6:13). (6) It may further indicate than, in comparisons (Lev. 21:10; Jdg. 14:18). (7) Prefixed to an infinitive, it is often translated as from (Gen. 16:2); a few times as on account of or because (Deu. 7:7-8); or temporally as since or after (Num. 24:23; Isa. 44:7). (8) It is often attached to other words in compounds and is sometimes used in front of infinitives of verbs: e.g., with ‛āḇaḏ meaning from serving (Exo. 14:5); with bāla‛ meaning from destroying (Lam. 2:8). (9) It is used in front of a verb form once as a conjunction indicating a negative purpose, "that . . . not" (Deu. 33:11). Other uses almost always fall under one of the above categories.

But they in human fashion have transgressed the covenant! There-he will now point out the very spots-have they betrayed Me! Gilead is a city of evil-doers: stamped with the bloody footprints.

Gilead is spoken of, in the New Testament, as beyond Jordan. This really is speaking of the Israelite's in their darker times, when there was much killing taking place. It could also be speaking of their connection with the crucifixion of Jesus.


Widespread physical violence was just one example of the people’s unfaithfulness (Hos. 6:8-9; cf. Exo. 20:13). Since Gilead was a district, not a city, the reference in Hos. 6:8 is probably to the city Ramoth Gilead, east of the Jordan. The town had become a center for wicked men (lit., workers of iniquity). In Psm. 5:5 this same expression is translated who do wrong. It refers to the worst sort of men, who actively oppose righteousness and are the objects of God’s hatred. In this case they were guilty of murder (Hos. 6:8). The city streets are pictured as being tracked with blood from the murderers’ sandals (cf. 1Ki. 2:5). The figurative language emphasizes both the extent and certainty of their guilt. Unfortunately the precise historical background for the crime cannot be determined. Perhaps oppression of the poor is in view. Elsewhere workers of iniquity are said to be guilty of oppressing the poor which is only occasionally associated with murder (cf. Psm. 94:4-6; Isa. 1:21-23).ōḇ: This form actually represents two adjectives. The first means deceitful, insidious, "foot-printed." It is from the verb ‛āqaḇ and the noun ‛āqēḇ. As Jeremiah proclaimed God's efforts with sinful humanity, he also declared that the heart is more deceitful than anything (Jer 17:9). The other usage is related to the word for footprint. To describe the wickedness of Gilead, the prophet called it a town of bloody footprints (Hos. 6:8). The second adjective means steep, hilly. Isaiah spoke of making a path for the exiles to return, making the hilly places like a plain (Isa. 40:4). This famous passage is appropriated in the Gospels to describe John the Baptist's preparation for Jesus' ministry.

That the discourse comes back to the ritual is very intelligible. For what could make repentance stem so easy as the belief that forgiveness can be won by simply offering sacrifices? Then the prophet leaps upon what each new year of that anarchy revealed afresh the profound sinfulness of the people.

with blood...


מִן

min, מִנִּי

minniy, מִנֵּי

minnēy: A preposition used to indicate from, out of, away from; more than: after, since; immediately; because of, since, so that; without; direction as southward, etc.). Its spelling varies according to its location and usage. Its basic meaning is from, away from, out of. Its basic meanings only can be noted here, but its exact meaning is easily discerned from its context: (1) With verbs, it expresses separation spatially or figuratively (Exo. 19:14; Deu. 22:8; Jos. 10:7). It can be used with a verb not indicating separation, e.g., to stay away from strife (Pro. 20:3; Isa. 14:19). (2) With the basic sense of out of, from (Gen. 3:22-24; 4:10; 34:26; Exo. 2:10; 8:9,5; Jdg. 15:7; Psm. 40:2,3), it often indicates what something is made of or formed from (Gen. 2:19; Hos. 13:2). With a pronominal suffix meaning from it, it means of one piece with it (Exo. 25:19, 25:31). It indicates a cause for something, on account of, because (Exo. 2:23; 6:9; 1Kgs. 14:4; Pro. 20:4; Isa. 53:5). (3) It is used to mean something is a part of something else, a part or share of it (Gen. 6:19; 7:8; 39:11; Num. 16:2). It indicates some of in an indefinite sense (Exo. 16:27; Lev. 25:49; Psm. 137:3). When repeated it means some . . . others or its equivalent expression (1Chr. 9:28-29). (4) It is used to mark time: from, since (Deu. 9:24), from a certain day or time (Lev. 22:27; Num. 15:23; 1Sam. 18:9). It is used in phrases to mean from ancient times, antiquity (Hab. 1:12); from of old (Isa. 42:14). It indicates right after a certain time (Gen. 38:24; Jos. 23:1; Ezk. 38:8). (5) Paired with ‛aḏ it usually means from . . . even to, as far as (Gen. 10:19; 15:18; Exo. 11:7; Jer. 51:62). In a figurative sense, this same construction can mean e.g., from young . . . to old, both inclusive (Gen. 19:4; 1Sam. 5:9; Jer. 6:13). (6) It may further indicate than, in comparisons (Lev. 21:10; Jdg. 14:18). (7) Prefixed to an infinitive, it is often translated as from (Gen. 16:2); a few times as on account of or because (Deu. 7:7-8); or temporally as since or after (Num. 24:23; Isa. 44:7). (8) It is often attached to other words in compounds and is sometimes used in front of infinitives of verbs: e.g., with ‛āḇaḏ meaning from serving (Exo. 14:5); with bāla‛ meaning from destroying (Lam. 2:8). (9) It is used in front of a verb form once as a conjunction indicating a negative purpose, "that . . . not" (Deu. 33:11). Other uses almost always fall under one of the above categories.

But they in human fashion have transgressed the covenant! There-he will now point out the very spots-have they betrayed Me! Gilead is a city of evil-doers: stamped with the bloody footprints.

Gilead is spoken of, in the New Testament, as beyond Jordan. This really is speaking of the Israelite's in their darker times, when there was much killing taking place. It could also be speaking of their connection with the crucifixion of Jesus.



Widespread physical violence was just one example of the people’s unfaithfulness (Hos. 6:8-9; cf. Exo. 20:13). Since Gilead was a district, not a city, the reference in Hos. 6:8 is probably to the city Ramoth Gilead, east of the Jordan. The town had become a center for wicked men (lit., workers of iniquity). In Psm. 5:5 this same expression is translated who do wrong. It refers to the worst sort of men, who actively oppose righteousness and are the objects of God’s hatred. In this case they were guilty of murder (Hos. 6:8). The city streets are pictured as being tracked with blood from the murderers’ sandals (cf. 1Ki. 2:5). The figurative language emphasizes both the extent and certainty of their guilt. Unfortunately the precise historical background for the crime cannot be determined. Perhaps oppression of the poor is in view. Elsewhere workers of iniquity are said to be guilty of oppressing the poor which is only occasionally associated with murder (cf. Psm. 94:4-6; Isa. 1:21-23).

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