Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant
And as troops of robbers wait for a man, company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness. Hos. 6:9
And as troops... As a gang of highwaymen lie in wait in a ditch, or under a hedge, or in a cave of a rock or mountain, for a man they know will come by that way, who is full of money, in order to rob him. Or, as fishermen stand upon the banks of a river, and cast in their hooks to draw out the fish. Assassins in troops; a gang of priests murder on the way to Shechem.
גְּדוּד
geḏûḏ: A masculine noun meaning a band, a troop. It is used to indicate a marauding band, a raiding party, or a group that makes inroads into enemy territory. It sometimes refers to Israel's military (2Sam. 4:2; 2Chr. 22:1), but more often, it refers to the marauding enemies of Israel (Gen. 49:19; 1Sam. 30:8, 30:15, 30:23; 1Kgs. 11:24; 2Kgs. 5:2; 6:23; 24:2). In some instances, these marauding bands operate independently and are thus labeled as troops of robbers (Hos. 6:9; 7:1). By extension, the word sometimes refers to the actual raid itself (2Sam. 3:22). On other occasions, it indicates the army in general (Job 29:25) or some division of troops within the army (1Chr. 7:4; 2Chr. 25:9-10, 25:13; 26:11; Mic. 5:1; 4:14). It is used figuratively for God's chastisements (Job 19:12) and His attacking forces (Job 25:3).
wait...
חָכָה
ḥāḵāh: A verb indicating to wait, to tarry. It indicates delaying an action (2Kgs. 7:9; 9:3; Job 32:4). It refers to longing or hoping for something to happen (Job 3:21), such as death or, in a good sense, for the Lord to act (Psm. 33:20; Isa. 8:17; Hab. 2:3; Zep. 3:8); or to resurrect (Dan. 12:12). But it means to wait in order to accomplish one's purpose, good or bad (Hos. 6:9).
for a man...
אִישׁ
’iyš: A masculine noun meaning a man or an individual. It is also used to mean male or husband. This word does not indicate humankind but the male gender in particular. Its feminine counterpart is a woman or wife. In Hos. 2:16,18, this word describes God's special relationship to Israel. He will be their protective husband, not their master. Curiously, the word is also used of animals (Gen. 7:2), referring to a male and his mate.
so the company... Not only encourage murderers, and commit murders within the city, but go out in a body together upon the highway, and there commit murders and robberies, and divide the spoil among them. All which they did unanimously, and were well agreed, being brethren in iniquity, as well as in office.
Or, in the way of Shechem; as good people passed by Gilead to Shechem, and so to Jerusalem, to worship there at the solemn feasts, they lay in wait for them, and murdered them. Because they did not give into the idolatrous worship of the calves at Dan and Bethel: or, in the manner of Shechem. That is, they murdered men in a deceitful treacherous manner, as the Shechemites were murdered by Simeon and Levi.
חֶבֶר
ḥeḇer: A masculine noun meaning a company, an association, a spell. It is used to refer to a band of bad priests (Hos. 6:9); a house of association, namely, a house shared with an antagonistic woman (Pro. 21:9; 25:24); or a magical spell or incantation (Deu. 18:11; Psm. 58:5.6; Isa. 47:9, 47:12).
of priests...
כֹּהֵן
kōhēn: A masculine noun meaning priest. The word is used to designate the various classes of priests in Israel. These people performed the function of mediators between God and His people. God called the nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests (Exo. 19:6), but God also appointed a priesthood to function within the nation. All the priests were to come from the tribe of Levi (Deu. 17:9, 17:18). The Lord set up a high priest who was over all the priestly services. The high priest was literally the great priest or head priest: Jehoiada was described as a high or great priest (2Kgs. 12:10,11). Joshua is called the high priest over the community that returned from the Babylonian exile (Hag. 1:12; 2:2). God appointed Aaron to serve as high priest and his sons as priests when the entire priestly order was established (Lev. 21:10; Num. 35:25). The high point of the religious year was the atonement ritual the high priest performed on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16). Aaron's family line produced the Aaronic priests or priesthood. Zadok became the ancestor of the legitimate priests from the time of Solomon's reign (1Kgs. 1:8, 1:38, 1:44); and the prophet Ezekiel approved of this line of priests from among the Levites (Ezk. 40:46; 43:19). The priests were in charge of all the holy things in Israel: they bore the ark (Jos. 3:13-14) and trumpets (Num. 10:8). They even counseled kings (1Sam. 22:21; 1Kgs. 1:38, 1:44). However, there arose priests who were not appointed by the Lord and who functioned illegitimately, such as Micah's priests during the time of the judges (Jdg. 17:5, 17:10, 17:12) or Jeroboam's priests who did not come from the sons of Levi (1Kgs. 12:31).
Some priests who functioned in other religions or nations are mentioned in Scripture. The most famous was Melchizedek, who was also a king in Canaan (Gen. 14:18). His priesthood became the model for Christ's eternal priesthood (Heb. 6:20). Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, was a priest among the Midianites (Exo. 2:16; 3:1). Joseph married Asenath, the daughter of an Egyptian priest (Gen. 41:45). There were priests of the Philistines (1Sam. 6:2); and priests who served the false gods, the Baals, and the Asherim (2Chr. 34:5) of the heathen nations.
murder...
רָצַח
rāṣaḥ: A verb meaning to murder, to slay, to kill. The taking of a human life is the primary concept behind this word. It is used to indicate a premeditated murder (Deu. 5:17; 1Kgs. 21:19; Jer. 7:9); an accidental killing (Num. 35:11; Jos. 20:3); the ultimate act of revenge (Num. 35:27); and death by means of an animal attack (Pro. 22:13). Provocatively, Hosea refers to the lewdness of the priests that led people astray as being equal to murder (Hos. 6:9).
in the way...
דֶּרֶךּ
Derek: A masculine noun meaning path, journey, way. This common word is derived from the Hebrew verb dāraḵ, meaning to walk or to tread, from which the basic idea of this word comes: the path that is traveled. The word may refer to a physical path or road (Gen. 3:24; Num. 22:23; 1Kgs. 13:24) or to a journey along a road (Gen. 30:36; Exo. 5:3; 1Sam. 15:18). However, this word is most often used metaphorically to refer to the pathways of one's life, suggesting the pattern of life (Pro. 3:6); the obedient life (Deu. 8:6); the righteous life (2Sam. 22:22; Jer. 5:4); the wicked life (1Kgs. 22:52,53). The ways are described as ways of darkness (Pro. 2:13); pleasant ways (Pro. 3:17); and wise ways (Pro. 6:6).
by consent:...
שְׁכֶם
šeḵem: I. A masculine noun referring to a shoulder, the upper back. It refers to the upper back and neck area (Gen. 9:23; 21:14). Often things were carried on one's shoulder (Gen. 24:15, 24:45; Exo. 12:34; Jos. 4:5; Jdg. 9:48). To turn one's shoulder to le someone or something means to turn to leave (1Sam. 10:9). To set one's shoulder, back is to turn away (Psm. 21:12,13). To carry the government on one's shoulder is to bear the burden of rulership (Isa. 9:4,3, 9:6, 5; 22:22). A yoke is worn on the shoulders, literally or figuratively (Isa. 10:27; 14:25). In Gen. 48:22, the word refers to a geographical feature, a ridge.
II. A masculine noun used to indicate consent, shoulder to shoulder. The phrase shoulder to shoulder indicates sharing in a common effort or open consent to something, whether bad (Hos. 6:9; KJV; NASB, Shechem) or good (Zep. 3:9).
for...
כִּי
kiy: A demonstrative particle meaning because, for, that, when, whenever; indeed, even; if; even when, even though. It is used in various ways and must be translated accordingly. In every case, the context in which the word functions will be the key to translating correctly. Here is a listing of the major ways it is used: as a conjunction meaning because (Gen. 3:14); for (Psm. 6:2, 6:5); that (Gen. 1:10; 1Kgs. 21:15); as a conjunctive time or condition indicator, when or if (Gen. 4:12); in a clause of condition, it means if, in fact, or in case (Job 7:13); as a demonstrative particle translated as yes, indeed, surely (Gen, 18:20; 1Sam. 14:44); truly, especially found in oaths (Gen. 42:16); used with ’im . . . kî . . . , it means if . . . then (Isa. 7:9); in combination with kî ’az, it is best rendered as then; kî ‛attāh usually means for them (Job 3:13). After a negative clause, kî is best rendered as rather (Gen. 3:6; 17:5; 24:4); preceded by the negative lō’, it is "no, but . . ." In clauses that concede something, it has the sense of even though, although, even when (Ecc. 4:14). It is used to show comparison when used in the construction kî . . . kēn, as . . . so (Isa. 55:9).
they commit... Literally, For they have done deliberate sin. The word literally means a thing thought of, especially an evil, and so, deliberate, contrived, bethought-of, wickedness. They did deliberate wickedness, but gave themselves to do it, and did nothing else.
עָשָׂה
‛āśāh: A verb meaning to do, to make, to accomplish, to complete. This frequently used Hebrew verb conveys the central notion of performing an activity with a distinct purpose, a moral obligation, or a goal in view (cf. Gen. 11:6). Particularly, it was used in conjunction with God's commands (Deu. 16:12). It described the process of construction (Gen. 13:4; Job 9:9; Pro. 8:26); engaging in warfare (Jos. 11:18); the yielding of grain (Hos. 8:7); observing a religious ceremony (Exo. 31:16; Num. 9:4); and the completion of something (Ezra 10:3; Isa. 46:10). Provocatively, the word appears twice in Ezekiel to imply the intimate action of caressing or fondling the female breast (Ezk. 23:3, 23:8).
lewdness...
זִמָּה
zimmāh: A feminine noun meaning plan, purpose, counsel, wickedness, lewdness, sin. The word refers to the plans and purposes of the mind which give rise to one's actions. Yet the word rarely pertains to good intentions (Job 17:11). It is used in reference to the evil plotting of the wicked (Isa. 32:7); the thoughts of foolish people (Pro. 24:9); and mischievous motivations (Psm. 119:150). Moreover, it relates to sexual sins that spring from lustful intentions, such as incest (Lev. 18:17); prostitution (Lev. 19:29); adultery (Job 31:11); and rape (Jdg. 20:6). Figuratively, the word represents the wickedness of the people of Israel in their idolatry, calling to mind the connection with adultery (Jer. 13:27; Ezk. 16:27).
Then it seems, these priests appear to be godly men, when in fact they are very ungodly men. Jesus spoke the greatest indictment against priests, such as these, that was ever spoken against a priest (read the 23rd chapter of Matthew).
The background of this verse is equally obscure. Perhaps groups of priests were actually murdering travelers to Shechem. A more likely explanation is that the language is hyperbolic, perhaps pointing to the priests’ false teaching and involvement in social exploitation. The references to (Ramoth) Gilead and Shechem are well chosen. Joshua had designated that both of these towns be cities of refuge, where manslayers could find asylum (Jos. 20:1-2, 20:7-8; see Num. 35:1-34). In this way the land would be spared outbreaks of bloodshed, and justice would be promoted. Ironically in Hosea’s day these cities had become associated with bloodshed and injustice.
The priests’ crimes were shameful. Elsewhere this word zimmâh is used of the vilest sexual sins, including incest (Lev. 18:17), cult prostitution (Lev. 19:29), rape (Jdg. 20:5-6), and adultery (Job. 31:9-11). This sexual connotation is probably applicable here because the priests’ breach of covenant (Hos. 6:6-7) is likened to prostitution (Hos. 6:10).
The background of this verse is equally obscure. Perhaps groups of priests were actually murdering travelers to Shechem. A more likely explanation is that the language is hyperbolic, perhaps pointing to the priests’ false teaching and involvement in social exploitation. The references to (Ramoth) Gilead and Shechem are well chosen. Joshua had designated that both of these towns be cities of refuge, where manslayers could find asylum (Josh. 20:1-2, 20:7-8; see Num. 35:1-34). In this way the land would be spared outbreaks of bloodshed, and justice would be promoted. Ironically in Hosea’s day these cities had become associated with bloodshed and injustice.
The priests’ crimes were shameful. Elsewhere this word zimmâh is used of the vilest sexual sins, including incest (Lev. 18:17), cult prostitution (Lev. 19:29), rape (Jdg. 20:5-6), and adultery (Job 31:9-11). This sexual connotation is probably applicable here because the priests’ breach of covenant (Hos. 6:6-7) is likened to prostitution (Hos. 6:10).
0 comments:
Post a Comment