Hosea 5:7

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Hosea 5:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They have dealt treacherously against Jehovah; for they have borne strange children: now shall the new moon devour them with their fields.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They have dealt treacherously against Jehovah; for they have borne strange children: now shall the new moon devour them with their fields.
Hosea 5:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Hosea 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7They have dealt treacherously against Jehovah; for they have borne strange children: now shall the new moon devour them with their fields.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They have dealt treacherously against the Lord, etc.] Which was the reason of his departure from them; as a woman deals treacherously with her husband when she is unfaithful to him, and commits adultery; so Israel and Judah dealt treacherously with the Lord, who stood in the relation of a husband to them in covenant, by committing idolatry; for they have begotten strange children; either of strange women, the daughters of idolatrous Heathens they married, so the Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi; or rather their natural children, though born of Israelitish or Jewish parents, both such; yet being educated by them in an idolatrous way, and brought up in the commission of the evils their parents were…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“treacherously--as to the marriage covenant (Jer 3:20). strange children--alluding to "children of whoredoms" (Hos 1:2; Hos 2:4). "Strange" or foreign implies that their idolatry was imported from abroad [HENDERSON]. Or rather, "regarded by God as strangers, not His," as being reared in idolatry. The case is desperate, when not only the existing, but also the rising, generation is reared in apostasy. a month--a very brief space of time shall elapse, and then punishment shall overtake them (Zac 11:8). The allusion seems to be to money loans, which were by the month, not as with us by the year. You cannot put it off; the time of your destruction is immediately and suddenly coming on you; just…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They have dealt treacherously - Literally, “have cloaked,” and so, acted deceitfully. The word is used of treachery of friend toward his friend, of the husband to his wife, or the wife husband. “Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord” Jeremiah 3:20. God, even in His upbraiding, speaks very tenderly to them, as having been in the closest, dearest relation to Himself. For they have begotten strange children - God had made it a ground of the future blessing of Abraham, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Have begotten - They have trained up their children in the same idolatry. A month - Possibly it may refer to Shallum's short time of usurpation, which lasted but a month; the Assyrians shall make a speedy conquest over you. With their portions - With all their substance. Hosea 5:8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“dealt: Hos 6:7; Isa 48:8, Isa 59:13; Jer 3:20, Jer 5:11 begotten: Neh 13:23, Neh 13:24; Psa 144:7, Psa 144:11; Mal 2:11-15 a month: Eze 12:28; Zac 11:8 Hosea 5:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification