Hosea 10:5

“The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven, etc.] Or, “the cow calves”f192, as in the original; so called by way of derision, and to denote their weakness and inability to help their worshippers; and so Bethel, where one of these calves was, is here, as elsewhere, called Bethaven; that is, the house of iniquity, or of an idol, by way of contempt; and may take in Daniel also, where was the other calf, since both are mentioned; unless the plural is put for the singular: now the land of Israel being invaded by the enemy, the inhabitants of Samaria, which was the metropolis of the nation, the king, nobles, and common people that dwelt there, and were worshippers of…”

“fear because of the calves--that is, shall fear for them. Beth-aven--substituted for Beth-el in contempt (Hos 4:15). it--singular, the one in Beth-el; after the pattern of which the other "calves" (plural) were made. "Calves" in the Hebrew is feminine, to express contempt. priests--The Hebrew is only used of idolatrous priests (Kg2 23:5; Zep 1:4), from a root meaning either "the black garment" in which they were attired; or, "to resound," referring to their howling cries in their sacred rites [CALVIN]. that rejoiced on it--because it was a source of gain to them. MAURER translates, "Shall leap in trepidation on account of it"; as Baal's priests did (Kg1 18:26). the glory thereof--the…”

“The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of - (i. e., for) the calves of Beth-aven He calls them in this place “cow-calves,” perhaps to denote their weakness and helplessness. So far from their idol being able to help “them, they” shall be anxious and troubled for their idols, lest these should be taken captive from them. The “Bethel (House of God)” of the patriarch Jacob, was now turned into “Bethaven, the house of vanity.” This, from its old sacred memories, was a more celebrated place of the calf-worship than Dan. Hosea then gives to the calf of Bethel its precedence, and ranks both idols under its one name, as “calves of the house of vanity.” For the people thereof shall mourn over…”

“Because of the calves - Because they had sinned by these calves, therefore did this fear seize them. The people - They who dwelt at Beth - aven. That rejoiced on it - These priests formerly were fed, clothed, and enriched by this idol, this made them right glad. The glory thereof - All its credit is vanished. Is departed - The Assyrians have either broken it, or carried it in derision into Assyria. Hosea 10:6”

“10:5-6 Israel’s gold calf idol (see 8:5-6) would become a prize of war for the invading Assyrians.”

“the calves: Hos 8:5, Hos 8:6, Hos 13:2; Kg1 12:28-32; Kg2 10:29, Kg2 17:16; Ch2 11:15, Ch2 13:8 Bethaven: Hos 4:15, Hos 5:8; Jos 7:2 for the people: Jdg 18:24; Rev 18:11-19 the priests: or, Chemarim, Kg2 23:5 \*marg. Zep 1:4 for the glory: Hos 9:11; Sa1 4:21, Sa1 4:22; Act 19:27 Hosea 10:6”