Hosea 12:11

“[Is there] iniquity [in] Gilead? etc.] Idolatry there? strange that there should be, seeing it was a city of the priests; a city of refuge; or there is none there, say the priests, who pretended they did not worship idols, but the true Jehovah in them: or, “is [there] not iniquity”, or idolatry, “in Gilead”f248? verily there is, let them pretend to what they will: or, “is [there only] iniquity in it”f249? that the men of it should be carried captive, as they were by TiglathPileser, before the rest of the tribes; (see <121529>2 Kings 15:29); no, there is iniquity and idolatry committed in other places, as well as there, who must expect to share the same fate in time: or, “is Gilead Aven?”f250…”

“Is there iniquity in Gilead?--He asks the question, not as if the answer was doubtful, but to strengthen the affirmation: "Surely they are vanity"; or as MAURER translates, "They are nothing but iniquity." Iniquity, especially idolatry, in Scripture is often termed "vanity." Pro 13:11 : "Wealth gotten by vanity," that is, iniquity. Isa 41:29 : "They are all vanity . . . images." "Gilead" refers to Mizpah-gilead, a city representing the region beyond Jordan (Hos 6:8; Jdg 11:29); as "Gilgal," the region on this side of Jordan (Hos 4:15). In all quarters alike they are utterly vile. their altars are as heaps in the furrows--that is, as numerous as such heaps: namely, the heaps of stones cleared…”

“Is there iniquity in Gilead? - The prophet asks the question, in order to answer it the more peremptorily. He raises the doubt, in order to crush it the more impressively. Is there “iniquity” in “Gilead?” Alas, there was nothing else. “Surely they are vanity,” or, strictly, “they have become merely vanity.” As he said before, “they become abominations like their love.” “For such as men make their idols, or conceive their God to be, such they become themselves. As then he who worships God with a pure heart, is made like unto God, so they who worship stocks and stones, or who make passions and lusts their idols, lose the mind of men and become ‘like the beasts which perish.’” “In Gilgal they…”

“In Gilead - Tiglah Pileser had formerly took Gilead among other towns, leading the inhabitants captive. By this the prophet minds the Ephraimites what they must expect, and doth it in this pungent question, Is there iniquity in Gilead? Is it there only? Be it, Gilead was all iniquity; Gilgal is no better. They - They that come up to Gilgal to sacrifice, are idolaters. In the furrows - They are for number like heaps of stones, gathered out of plowed land and laid in furrows. Hosea 12:12”

“12:11 Gilead and Gilgal were Israelite cities in which Baal was worshiped instead of the Lord (see 4:15; 6:8; 9:15).”

“iniquity: Hos 6:8; Kg1 17:1 surely: Jer 10:8, Jer 10:15; Jon 2:8 they sacrifice: Hos 4:15, Hos 9:15; Amo 4:4, Amo 5:5 their altars: Hos 8:11, Hos 10:1; Kg2 17:9-11; Jer 2:20, Jer 2:28 Hosea 12:12”