Hosea 6:4

“O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? etc.] Or, “for thee”f117? The Lord having observed the effect and consequence of his going and returning to his place, of his leaving his people for a long time under afflictions and in distress; namely, their thorough conversion to him in the latter day, and the blessings attending it; returns to the then present times again, and to the state and condition in which Ephraim and Judah, the ten and two tribes, were; and speaks as one at a loss, and under difficulties, to know what to do with them and for them; how as it were to give them up to ruin and destruction; and yet, having tried all ways with them, and in vain,…”

“what shall I do unto thee--to bring thee back to piety. What more could be done that I have not done, both in mercies and chastenings (Isa 5:4)? At this verse a new discourse begins, resuming the threats (Hos 5:14). See opening remarks on this chapter. goodness--godliness. morning cloud--soon dispersed by the sun (Hos 13:3). There is a tacit contrast here to the promise of God's grace to Israel hereafter, in Hos 6:3. His going forth is "as the morning," shining more and more unto the perfect day; your goodness is "as a morning cloud," soon vanishing. His coming to His people is "as the (fertilizing) latter and former rains"; your coming to Him "as the early dew goeth away."”

“O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? - It is common with the prophets, first to set forth the fullness of the riches of God’s mercies in Christ, and then to turn to their own generation, and upbraid them for the sins which withheld the mercies of God from “them,” and were hurrying them to their destruction. In like way Isaiah, Isaiah 2:0, having prophesied that the Gospel should go forth from Zion, turns to upbraid the avarice, idolatry, and pride, through which the judgment of God should come upon them. The promises of God were to those who should turn with true repentance, and seek Him early and earnestly. Whatever of good there was, either in Ephraim or Judah, was but a mere empty show,…”

“What shall I do - What shall I do more to save you from ruin, and save my own honour, truth, and justice? Hosea 6:5”

“6:4 The response of Israel was inadequate; God lamented that their love disappeared like morning mist and dew.”

“what: Hos 11:8; Isa 5:3, Isa 5:4; Jer 3:19, Jer 5:7, Jer 5:9, Jer 5:23, Jer 9:7; Luk 13:7-9, Luk 19:41, Luk 19:42 for: Jdg 2:18, Jdg 2:19; Psa 78:34-37, Psa 106:12, Psa 106:13; Jer 3:10, Jer 34:15; Mat 13:21; Pe2 2:20-22 goodness: or, mercy, or, kindness as a: Hos 13:3 Hosea 6:5”

“The prophet's address commences afresh, as in Hos 2:4, without any introduction, with the denunciation of the incurability of the Israelites. Hos 6:4-11 form the first strophe. Hos 6:4. "What shall I do to thee, Ephraim? what shall I do to thee, Judah? for your love is like the morning cloud, and like the dew which quickly passes away." That this verse is not to be taken in connection with the preceding one, as it has been by Luther ("how shall I do such good to thee?") and by many of the earlier expositors, is evident from the substance of the verse itself. For ‛âsâh, in the sense of doing good, is neither possible in itself, nor reconcilable with the explanatory clause which follows. The…”