Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

7:4-7 The word "oven" (Hb. tannur), repeated three times in these verses (vv. 4, 6, 7), can designate either a fixed or portable structure. This oven is made of earthenware and is used especially for bread. The comparisons of adulterers with an oven are both progressive and overlapping. In v. 4, the heated oven represents a quiet passion that does not go out even though the baker ceases to stir the fire. In v. 6, the oven is a suppressed passion, like anger smoldering, that unexpectedly and violently erupts; it blazes like a flaming fire. In v. 7 the oven depicts a consuming passion that will devour . . . rulers and all their kings. Many relate this to the political intrigue that marked Ephraim's final hours. Four of the last six kings of Israel were assassinated. None of them calls upon God (v. 7). Here is a close association between an unquenchable zeal for political control and unbridled lust.

7:8 Difficulties with foreign politics inevitably followed these civil internal upheavals. mixes himself with the peoples. "Mixes" (Hb. balal) is associated with blending ingredients in cooking and links with the "baker" in v. 4 (cf. Lev. 2:4; 7:10; 14:10). Israel's apostasy has made it indistinguishable from the pagan nations. a cake not turned. I.e., half-baked, not fit for eating. Some cakes probably included honey and the juice of grapes and figs, and had to be turned while baking.

7:9 Strangers (i.e., foreigners) devour his strength, and he knows it not. Israel is unaware of being manipulated by foreigners' politics. gray hairs are sprinkled upon him. The nation is like a man who has suddenly grown older and weaker but does not yet realize it. (Perhaps, cf. v. 8, the "gray hairs" are like mold on food.)

7:10 they do not return . . . nor seek him. This explains the conundrum as to why Israel will be devastated despite the Lord's promises of good (cf. v. 13b; 8:3).

7:11-12 Ephraim is like a dove. The dove, usually noted for admirable qualities (cf. 11:11), here is described as fickle. This probably refers to Israel's oscillating between Egypt and Assyria. It describes the subterfuge of making secret alliances with two opposing powers at the same time as a guarantee of security. I will bring them down like birds of the heavens. Pronouncements of judgment include 7:12, 13, 16.

7:14-15 gash themselves. Probably as a means of invoking Baal (cf. 1 Kings 18:28). I trained and strengthened their arms. Cf. Hos. 2:8 and 11:3.

7:16 Egypt here is a symbolic name for all foreign powers, and is intended as a metaphorical reference to Israel's bondage in Egypt prior to the exodus, rather than a literal reference to a new deportation to Egypt. Like other historical references in Hosea, this name bemoans the reversal of Israel's fortunes. The humiliation and degradation of being taken into captivity is depicted on numerous reliefs from the ancient Near East (cf. Joel 2:17).