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Hosea 8:2

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Hosea 8:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They shall cry unto me, My God, we Israel know thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They shall cry unto me, My God, we Israel know thee.
Hosea 8:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Hosea 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1[Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. As an eagle [he cometh] against the house of Jehovah, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.
2They shall cry unto me, My God, we Israel know thee.
3Israel hath cast off that which is good: the enemy shall pursue him.
4They have set up kings, but not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.
5He hath cast off thy calf, O Samaria; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?
← Hosea 8:1Hosea 8:3 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Israel shall cry unto me, my God, we know thee.] In their distress they shall cry to the Lord to help them, and have mercy on them, as they used to do when in trouble, (<232616>Isaiah 26:16); when the eagle is come upon them, and just ready to devour them; when Samaria is besieged with file Assyrian army, their king taken prisoner, and they just ready to fall into the hands of the enemy, then they shall cry to God, though in a hypocritical manner; own him to be the true God, and claim their interest in him, and pretend knowledge of him, and acquaintance with him; though they have not served and worshipped him, but idols, and that for hundreds of years; like others who profess to know God,…”
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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
“My God, we know thee--the singular, "My," is used distributively, each one so addressing God. They, in their hour of need, plead their knowledge of God as the covenant-people, while in their acts they acknowledge Him not (compare Mat 7:21-22; Tit 1:16; also Isa 29:13; Jer 7:4). The Hebrew joins "Israel," not as English Version, with "shall cry," but "We, Israel, know thee"; God denies the claim thus urged on the ground of their descent from Israel.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Israel shall cry unto Me, My God, we know Thee - Or, according to the order in the Hebrew, “To Me shall they cry, we know Thee, Israel,” i. e., “we, Israel,” Thy people, “know Thee.” It is the same plea which our Lord says that He shall reject in the Day of Judgment. “Many shall say unto Me, in that Day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name, and in Thy Name cast out devils, and in Thy Name done many wonderful works” Matthew 7:22. In like way, when our Lord came in the flesh, they said of God the Father, He is our God. But our Lord appealed to their own consciences; “It is My Father who honoreth Me, of whom ye say, He is our God, but ye have not known Him” John 8:54. So Isaiah, when…”
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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
“Shall cry - But not sincerely. Hosea 8:4”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Hos 5:15, Hos 7:13, Hos 7:14; Kg2 10:16, Kg2 10:29; Psa 78:34-37; Isa 48:1, Isa 48:2; Jer 7:4; Mic 3:11; Mat 7:21, Mat 25:11; Luk 13:25; Tit 1:16; Jo1 2:4 Hosea 8:3”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification