Hosea 5:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This is made evident by the words of Ezekiel, who recounts being taken to Jerusalem “in a vision of God” (Ezekiel 8:3), where he observed the wickedness of the people; he noted, “as many as twenty and five men giving their backsides unto the temple of the Lord, and their faces straight toward the east, and these bowing toward the east to the sun” (Ezekiel 8:16). Here we see how their various offenses and contempt for God drew them close to ruin.

Thus, in response to the delayed invasion, God reproached those who eagerly awaited an opportunity to lay waste to Samaria and intended to bring great turmoil to Jerusalem—namely, the Assyrians, Persians, and the inhabitants of Damascus, who, at different times, attacked for various reasons. He ordered them to commence the conflict, blowing trumpets to announce to the deluded the forthcoming judgments. He opened with, “Now shall the rye appear, and their parts” (this signifies distress and disaster in times of war), indicating that calamity was imminent. Following this, he naturally commanded the sounding of trumpets, particularly in the places dedicated to idols, perhaps because they were soon to be destroyed or were the source of war and irremediable calamity for the misguided.

When he refers to blowing the trumpet “on the hills, … on the high hills, in the house of Onoba,” we interpret this as referring to the sites dedicated to idol worship. It will be noted that the Septuagint differs in rendering “in the house of Onoba.” Some interpret it as referring “to the house of the unfit, that is, of every idol,” while others say “in the house of Onove.” It should be understood that the prophetic word here implies a call to sound alarms not only against the hills of the idolatrous Israelites but also against the idolatry present in Jerusalem among Judah and Benjamin, who, as mentioned, worshipped the sun (He is the Sun), neglecting to honor God accordingly. This is perhaps reflected in their having “their backs to the temple of the Lord, and their faces upright” (Ezekiel 8:16), clearly turned to the sun.

Therefore, when it is mentioned “in the house of Onob,” consider it to refer to the dwelling or temple of the false god, or of the sun. It would not be unreasonable to label the house of the sun as those who worship the sun, just as the house of God refers to those devoted to Him. Moreover, if one wishes to liken the golden calf to ‘Onom,’ this interpretation holds merit as well. Specifically, the godless Jeroboam crafted the calf resembling the Egyptian deity, Apis; the Egyptians revered Apis, believing he was the progeny of the moon (hence, he bore a moon-shaped symbol on his forehead) and thought to have descended from the sun, as they believed the moon's light originated from the sun, thus venerating Apis as both the child of the moon and the descendant of the sun. It was Satan, the crafty serpent, who led them into such folly. Thus, he instructs them to sound the trumpet “on the hills, and on the high places, and in the house of Onoba,” referring to the house of the golden calf.

The transgressions of both groups, as well as the rationale behind their impending punishment, are made evident when it states, “Benjamin was terrified,” rather than saying he strayed from his ways or adopted a better mindset; for this truly captures the temptation towards wrongdoing. Ephraim also faced destruction—though not invariably, as “in the days of the punishment of transgression both showed faithfulness,” acknowledging the faithfulness and truth of My words since what had been prophesied was fulfilled among them, with none of My declarations proving false. Because they turned away from ancestral practices and lost their discernment, they were exiled from their land and stripped of God’s love and all prosperity. Furthermore, those who abandon God will inevitably suffer the loss of virtuous thoughts and deeds, leading to ruin when God rebukes, punishes, and holds them accountable for their negligence.

Therefore, it is both beneficial and essential for life to remain with God, recalling the well-known words of the Psalms: “my soul clings to you” (Psalm 62:9), for then the strength of the Almighty will offer protection and timely assistance, from which, according to the Savior’s assurance, “no one will take delight” (John 10:28).

Proclaim this from Gabai, which translates as hills, and sound the trumpet in Ramah, meaning heights; these cities are close to each other in the tribe of Benjamin, with Gabai as the birthplace of Saul and Ramah located seven miles from Jerusalem, a stronghold that the king of Israel sought to control to restrict entry and exit from Judah. Proclaim from Gabai and Ramah with a horn (brussinah) and a trumpet. The businah, used by shepherds, is shaped like a curved horn, known in Hebrew as sophar and in Greek as κερατ’νη. In contrast, the trumpet is crafted from brass or silver, utilized in battles and festivals. Regarding Bethaven, once known as Bethel, where the golden calf resided and located within the tribe of Ephraim, mere ringing and sounding fall short; a loud shout is required, indicating impending captivity. It is poignantly stated that Bethaven lies behind Benjamin, as this city is situated in Ephraim, close to Benjamin's boundary. Thus, I say and command: Sound a horn in Gabai, and a trumpet in Ramah, and shout in Bethaven; for the royal lineage of Ephraim, or Ephraim himself, representing the kingdom of Israel, shall soon become desolate and face imminent captivity. On the day of judgment and the chastisement of the tribes of Israel, I have demonstrated the truth of My declarations, fulfilling through the prophets the warnings I issued. Some, referring to the LXX's interpretation of ὢ as the city of the sun, suggest that since Christ is known as the Sun of truth, His Church represents this city. However, I do not agree, as in the house of an idol—translated by Aquila as a futile house—we cannot recognize the Church’s image. Rather, we must assert that the heretics in Gabai and Ramah, who pride themselves on wisdom, are told to call out in the house of the idol and are positioned not before Benjamin, the son of the right hand, but behind him, where there is blindness. For all Ephraim’s boastfulness, symbolizing abundance, will soon face ruin, and when the day of judgment and time of punishment arrives, I will demonstrate in action that My words were not empty. We translated as “Benjamin came to a frenzy” in lieu of the LXX's “behind thee,” always linking ἔκοτασιν, or frenzy, with Benjamin, or a faithful son of the Church. This notion echoes in the sixty-seventh Psalm: There young Benjamin is in a frenzy. Additionally, in the blessings of Jacob regarding Benjamin, from whose tribe the Apostle Paul descended, we read: Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, who feasts early and provides sustenance in the evening. For he who initially persecuted the Church later became a generous giver of the gospel food to believers throughout the earth. Therefore, Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, when he became frantic, prophesied all day among the band of prophets.