"And Ephraim has become like a simple dove without understanding; they have called Egypt, they are gone to Asshur. Hosea 7:12. As they go, I spread my net over them; I bring them down like fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, according to the tidings to their assembly." The perfects in Hosea 7:1 describe the conduct of Israel as an accomplished fact, and this is represented by ויהי as the necessary consequence of its obstinate impenitence. The point of comparison between Israel and the simple dove, is not that the dove misses its proper dwelling and resting-place, and therefore goes fluttering about (Ewald); nor that, in trying to escape from the hawk, it flies into the net of the bird-catcher (Hitzig); but that when flying about in search of food, it does not observe the net that is spread for it (Rosenmller). אין לב is to be taken as a predicate to Ephraim in spite of the accents, and not to yōnâh phōthâh (a simple dove), since phōthâh does not require either strengthening or explaining. Thus does Ephraim seek help from Egypt and Assyria. These words do not refer to the fact that there were two parties in the nation - an Assyrian and an Egyptian. Nor do they mean that the whole nation applied at one time to Egypt to get rid of Asshur, and at another time to Asshur to escape from Egypt. "The situation is rather this: the people being sorely pressed by Asshur, at one time seek help from Egypt against Asshur; whilst at another they try to secure the friendship of the latter" (Hengstenberg, Christology, i. p. 164 transl.). For what threatened Israel was the burden of the "king of princes" (Hosea 8:10), i.e., the king of Asshur. And this they tried to avert partly by their coquettish arts (Hosea 8:9), and partly by appealing to the help of Egypt; and while doing so, they did not observe that they had fallen into the net of destruction, viz., the power of Assyria. In this net will the Lord entangle them as a punishment. As they go thither, God will spread His net over them like a bird-catcher, and bring them down to the earth like flying birds, i.e., bring them down from the open air, that is to say, from freedom, into the net of captivity, or exile. איסירם, a rare hiphil formation with Yod mobile, as in Proverbs 4:25 (see Ewald, 131, c). "According to the tidings (announcement) to their assembly:" i.e., in accordance with the threatening already contained in the law (Leviticus 26:14.; Deuteronomy 28:15.), and repeatedly uttered to the congregation by the prophets, of the judgments that should fall upon the rebellious, which threatening would now be fulfilled upon Ephraim.

Joel 2:28 Parallel Commentaries

that I.

Proverbs 1:23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit to you, I will make known my words to you.

Isaiah 32:15 Until the spirit be poured on us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on him that is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground: I will pour my spirit on your seed...

Ezekiel 39:29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit on the house of Israel, said the Lord GOD.

John 7:39 (But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given...

Acts 2:16-18 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel...

upon.

Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.

Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel...

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour on the house of David, and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications...

Luke 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Acts 2:2-4,33,39 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting...

Acts 10:44-47 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word...

Acts 11:15-18 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning...

Acts 15:7,8 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Men and brothers...

your daughters.

Isaiah 54:13 And all your children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of your children.

Acts 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

dream.

Genesis 37:5-10 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brothers: and they hated him yet the more...

Numbers 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known to him in a vision...

Jeremiah 23:28 The prophet that has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that has my word, let him speak my word faithfully...