Hosea 3:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

With no high priest appropriately clad in the garments of service, the divine manifestations are indeed absent.

While the significance of these manifestations may be known to some, it is worthwhile to briefly revisit their purpose. God established all the elements of the high priest’s attire and instructed Moses to create a breastplate with specific dimensions and four corners (Ex. 28:15-16). Precious stones, inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes, were to be intricately fashioned into this sacred item. Among these were two stones marked with the inscriptions ‘appearance and truth’ (Ex. 28:30). This breastplate, suspended from a golden chain, adorned the heart of the High Priest. The terms ‘appearance and truth’ symbolize Immanuel, for Christ has declared, ‘all things that I have heard from the Father have I made known unto you’ (John 15:15), unveiling the divine will and clarifying the path of understanding.

That He embodies truth is beyond doubt, for He has explicitly stated: ‘I am the truth.’ Thus, the word of judgment was situated at the heart of the high priest, serving as a proclamation and a vivid assertion that the holy lineage would cherish the Savior and Redeemer, the embodiment of Truth and Appearance, in their thoughts and hearts. It underscores the necessity for the priests to perpetually remember Christ and to have Him residing within their spirits. The sanctified space for Him is a righteous mind and a cleansed heart. Therefore, it is foretold: ‘the days of many sons of Israel shall sit, saith He, without king or prince,’ meaning without ruler or protector. There will be an absence of kings from the line of Judah and of priests overseeing the Law, as well as no altar, sacrifice, or priestly functions.

Nonetheless, Israel will not remain in this condition eternally nor will they be entirely forsaken. A time will come when they will be called back and converted through faith, recognizing the One true God and His servant David, referring to Christ, born of the seed of David and the flesh, who reigns as King and Lord over all. They will marvel at His abundant generosity and profound love, as they partake in the hope prepared for the saints. Together with the multitude of believers, they will thrive in lush pastures. The glorious time of grace awaiting them, worthy of awe, will occur at the culmination of the world and the final days of the age. To Him, through whom and with whom, glory be to God the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

The term ephod traditionally refers to the priestly garment described in Exodus and Leviticus, while teraphim are understood as images or representations, akin to cherubim and seraphim, designed as ornaments for the temple. The interpretation indicates that in the heart of the high priest must reside truth and wisdom, allowing him to not only understand true faith but to confess it openly. The Apostle Paul addresses this in his guidance to Titus, outlining the qualities expected of a bishop, who must be above reproach, self-controlled, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain, but rather hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, disciplined, and holding firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

The ephod and teraphim made by Levi for himself, referenced in the book of Judges, highlight a time when the tribe of Dan acted with armed men. Since the sufferings of the Lord Savior, more than 400 years have passed, and how much longer until the day of judgment remains unknown. The Lord indicates that it is not necessary for us to know this.

The unfortunate synagogue and unfaithful bride feed on meager provisions and mourn because they feel distant from Christ, without a king—of whom the Father said, “I will raise up a king with righteousness”—and lacking a ruler or even the Lord Himself, as written, “To the prince of your people you shall not speak evil.” They exist without sacrifices and altars, as after the temple's destruction and the burning of Jerusalem, the Jewish people lost both sacrifice and priesthood, along with the elements of priestly garments.

Jacob's blessing of Judah promised that the leader from his lineage would not cease until the expected one arrives. When the leader from Judah became weak and a foreigner, Herod, seized authority, it marked the arrival of the One for whom the kingdom was intended, who is the hope of the nations. The spiritual blindness that has afflicted a part of Israel will lead to a fulfillment where the full number of Gentiles will come in, resulting in the salvation of all Israel. In due course, they will return to the Lord their God and David their king, who was born of David’s lineage, symbolizing strength. He has freed His people from captivity and granted liberty to prisoners. When the children of Israel recognize Him—whom His brothers denied—enthroned in the glory of His Father and His own, they will tremble and be amazed at the Lord and His benevolence. He is a good Son, born of a good Father, manifesting the goodness of the Lord, of which the Psalmist states, “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living,” emphasizing that what sustains us sinners exists in a realm associated with the dead.

Some Jewish scholars interpret the current division as relating to the Babylonian captivity, during which the temple stood desolate for seventy years, devoid of altar, sacrifices, and priesthood, until they returned under Zerubbabel. Others, as we believe, see it as a reference to a future time. The primary reason for such prolonged abandonment, despite a lack of idolatry, can only be attributed to the crucifixion of the Savior.

The Prophet symbolically represented God’s foreknowledge; for even the judge, through a decree of judgment, grasped both the appearance and the essence of truth (Leviticus 8:8), and through specific signs foretold what was to come. Therefore, the great Moses, in blessing the tribe of Levi, proclaims, "Give Levi the manifestation" (Deut. 33:8). Having foretold the dire, he also includes the joyful. For he states: