Hosea 7:12

“When they shall go, etc.] That is, to Egypt or Assyria: I will spread my net upon them; bring them into great straits and difficulties; perhaps the Assyrian army is meant, which was the Lord’s net, guided, and directed, and spread by his providence, and according to his will, to take this silly dove in; and which enclosed them on all sides, that they could not escape; (see <261213>Ezekiel 12:13). Hoshea the king of Israel was taken by the Assyrian, and bound and shut up in prison; Samaria the capital city was besieged three years, and then taken, (<121704>2 Kings 17:4-6); I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; though they fly on high, soar aloft, and behave proudly, and fancy…”

“When they shall go--to seek aid from this or that foreign state. spread my net upon them--as on birds taken on the ground (Eze 12:13), as contrasted with "bringing them down" as the "fowls of the heavens," namely, by the use of missiles. as their congregation hath heard--namely, by My prophets through whom I threatened "chastisement" (Hos 5:9; Kg2 17:13-18).”

“When they go - (Literally, “according as” they go, in all circumstances of time or place or manner, when whithersoever or howsoever they shall go,) I “will spread My net upon them,” so as to surround and envelop them on all sides and hold them down. The “dove” soaring aloft, with speed like the storm-wind Psalms 55:6-8, is a picture of freedom, independence, impetuous, unhindered, following on its own course; weak and timid, it trusts in the skillfulness with which it guides its flight, to escape pursuit; the “net,” with its thin slight meshes, betokens how weak instruments become all-sufficient in the hands of the Almighty; the same dove, brought down from its almost viewless height,…”

“Go - To seek aid of Egypt or Assyria. Bring them down - Though they attempt to fly, yet as fowls in the net they shall certainly fall. Hath heard - From the prophets whom I have sent unto them. Hosea 7:13”

“7:12 Like a fowler hunting birds, the Lord would throw his net over silly, witless Israel to punish them.”

“I will spread: Job 19:6; Jer 16:16; Eze 12:13, Eze 17:20, Eze 32:3 I will bring: Ecc 9:12 as their: Lev. 26:14-46; Deut. 28:15-68, Deu 29:22-28, Deu 31:16-29, 32:15-43; Kg2 17:13-18; Jer 44:4; Rev 3:19 Hosea 7:13”