11 Ephraim 'is' as a fowl, Fly away doth their honour, without birth, And without womb, and without conception. 12 For though they nourish their sons, I have made them childless—without man, Surely also, wo to them, when I turn aside from them. 13 Ephraim! when I have looked to the rock, Is planted in comeliness, And Ephraim 'is' to bring out unto a slayer his sons. 14 Give to them, Jehovah—what dost Thou give? Give to them miscarrying womb, and dry breasts. 15 All their evil 'is' in Gilgal, Surely there I have hated them, Because of the evil of their doings, Out of My house I do drive them, I add not to love them, all their heads 'are' apostates. 16 Ephraim hath been smitten, Their root hath dried up, fruit they yield not, Yea, though they bring forth, I have put to death the desired of their womb. 17 Reject them doth my God, Because they have not hearkened to Him, And they are wanderers among nations!
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Hosea 9:11-17
Commentary on Hosea 9:11-17
(Read Hosea 9:11-17)
God departs from a people, or from a person, when he withdraws his goodness and mercy from them; and when the Lord is departed, what can the creature do? Even though, for the present, good things seem to remain, yet the blessing is gone if God is gone. Even the children should perish with the parents. The Divine wrath dries up the root, and withers the fruit of all comforts; and the scattered Jews daily warn us to beware, lest we neglect or abuse the gospel. Yet every smiting is not a drying up of the root. It may be that God intends only to smite so that the sap may be turned to the root, that there may be more of root graces, more humility, patience, faith, and self-denial. It is very just that God should bring judgments on those who slight his offered mercy.