Hosea 4:9

“And there shall be, like people, like priest, etc.] No difference between them in their festivals, the one being as greedy of committing intemperance and uncleanness as the other, and in their common conversation of life; though the priests ought both to have given good instructions, and to have set good examples; but instead of that were equally guilty as the people, and so would be alike in their punishment, as it follows: and I will punish them for their ways; their evil ways, as the Targum; their wicked manner of life and conversation, both of the people and the priests; especially the latter are meant: or, “I will visit upon him his ways”f68; upon everyone of the priests, as well as the…”

“like people, like priest--They are one in guilt; therefore they shall be one in punishment (Isa 24:2). reward them their doings--in homely phrase, "pay them back in their own coin" (Pro 1:31).”

“And there shall be like people, like priest - Priest and people were alike in sin. Yea they are wont, if bad, to foment each other’s sin. The bad priest copies the sins which he should reprove, and excuses himself by the frailty of our common nature. The people, acutely enough, detect the worldliness or self-indulgence of the priest, and shelter themselves under his example. Their defense stands good before people; but what before God? Alike in sin, priest and people should be alike in punishment. “Neither secular greatness should exempt the laity, nor the dignity of his order, the priest.” Both shall be swept away in one common heap, in one disgrace, into one damnation. “They shall bind…”

“4:9 The people followed the evil example of their religious leaders; as a result, God would punish both priests and people for their wicked deeds.”

“like people: Isa 9:14-16, Isa 24:2; Jer 5:31, Jer 8:10-12, Jer 23:11, Jer 23:12; Eze 22:26-31; Mat 15:14 punish: Heb. visit upon, Hos 1:4 \*marg. reward them: Heb. cause to return, Psa 109:17, Psa 109:18; Pro 5:22; Isa 3:10; Zac 1:6 Hosea 4:10”

“"Therefore it will happen as to the people so to the priest; and I will visit his ways upon him, and I repay to him his doing." Since the priests had abused their office for the purpose of filling their own bellies, they would perish along with the nation. The suffixes in the last clauses refer to the priest, although the retribution threatened would fall upon the people also, since it would happen to the priest as to the people. This explains the fact that in Hos 4:10 the first clause still applies to the priest; whereas in the second clause the prophecy once more embraces the entire nation. Hosea 4:10”