Osee Chapter 5
God's threats against the priests, the people, and princes of Israel, for their idolatry.
5:1. Hear ye this, O priests, and hearken, O ye house of Israel, and give ear, O house of the king: for there is a judgment against you, because you have been a snare to them whom you should have watched over and a net spread upon Thabor.
O priests. . .What is said of priests in this prophecy is chiefly understood of the priests of the kingdom of Israel; who were not true priests of the race of Aaron; but served the calves at Bethel and Dan.
5:2. And you have turned aside victims into the depth and I am the teacher of them all.
5:3. I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me for now Ephraim hath committed fornication, Israel is defiled.
5:4. They will not set their thoughts to return to their God: for the spirit of fornication is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord.
5:5. And the pride of Israel shall answer in his face: and Israel, and Ephraim shall fall in their iniquity, Juda also shall fall with them.
5:6. With their flocks and with their herds, they shall go to seek the Lord, and shall not find him: he is withdrawn from them.
5:7. They have transgressed against the Lord: for they have begotten children that are strangers: now shall a month devour them with their portions.