Hosea 6:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Let us explore this further. Sikimah is a small settlement across the Jordan, near Gilead, allocated to the descendants of Levi during Joshua's distribution of the promised land. At the time of the sacred feast instituted by law, specifically the feast of tabernacles, individuals from all regions would gather in Jerusalem as mandated by the law. Some Shechemites, possibly prompted by a guilty conscience and remorse for their sins or called by God to wisdom, sought to finally obey the law and travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast therein. This marked the beginning of their conversion and a turn away from idol worship.

In fear that the people from the ten tribes, particularly from Samaria, might journey to Jerusalem to offer the sacrifices and festivals outlined by the law, Jeroboam devised an alternative from the outset. He fashioned calves and urged the people to use them for worship, assigning divine glory to their own contrivances. In an attempt to secure his reign, he effectively removed the loyalty of his subjects from God. While some Shechemites aspired to go to Jerusalem, the residents of nearby Gilead, despite their Levitical heritage and priestly duties, prevented them from doing so. They acted out of vanity, fearing the decline of their crafts if Israel chose to abandon idol worship altogether. When their influence was disregarded, they resorted to malicious schemes, inciting violence against travelers to Jerusalem, and brutally assaulting those who defied their wishes. Consequently, many suffered greatly, while others managed to escape, albeit having lost their sacrificial offerings on their return to their homeland.

Thus, the Lord of all reproaches the inhabitants of Gilead for failing in their duty as Levites and priests to guide others towards the righteous path established by the law. Instead, they concealed this path, preventing those who sought to break free from demonic deception from discovering the truth. "The priests hid the way of the Lord," it is written. This sentiment is echoed by another prophet: “The priests shall not say, Where is the Lord? and they that handle the law knew me not: the shepherds also transgressed against me” (Jer. 2:8). Moreover, the actions of the Gileadites were not limited to obstruction; they also perpetrated violence against the Shechemites, handing them over to robbers. Thus, He addressed Gilead, declaring, “And your strength is like that of a robber's husband.”

When I inquired about the historical context of this passage, a Jewish individual explained that the priests of Bethel, or rather the zealots of Bethaven, during the times of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, when it was essential to travel through Shechem—now known as Naples—on the journey to Jerusalem, where sacrifices were permitted, set up bandits along the way. These bandits would keep travelers anxious, encouraging them to worship the golden calves in Dan and Bethaven instead of offering their worship to God at the temple in Jerusalem. The terms society and faction of priests indicate that they conspire and collaborate for malevolent purposes. If we interpret it as he is an accomplice of the priests, this, according to the Jew, should be understood in reference to Gilead, the idol-maker. He is deemed guilty, as he followed the priests in their iniquity and participated in acts of theft and murder.

In our understanding, however, we assert that heretics obstruct the way so that from Shechem, symbolizing good deeds, we cannot reach Jerusalem, representing the Church. They resemble a band of robbers and destroy those who endeavor to navigate through the challenges of this world to attain the truth. Shechem signifies shoulders, and shoulders symbolize deeds; thus, all false priests conceal the path, and through their evil actions, they harm individuals, preventing them from reaching Jerusalem. The notion that shoulders represent actions is evident in the phrase: “Turn thy heart to thy shoulder,” meaning to direct one’s thoughts towards actions. Regarding Issachar, it is stated that he turned his efforts into labor, and he became a farmer (Gen. 49:15).

Gilead, a city filled with emptiness, muddles the waters. Its stronghold is akin to that of a sea marauder. This city, devoted to idols, has led many into wrongdoing. The Lord remarked that they muddy the waters, corrupting the clarity of God’s truth. He compared the city’s influence to that of a sea robber because they animate idols through cunning magic and clever designs. Just as sea bandits attack unwary swimmers, so the servants of idols, lacking boldness in their own motives, ensnare the foolish with their deceptions. The priests of God should have courageously condemned this brazen wickedness, yet they remained silent, fearing the wrath of the immoral. Thus, the accusation is made against them: ‘The priests hid the way of the Lord and led to violence in Sikim, for they acted unjustly.’ Within the house of Israel, I have witnessed a grave situation: the unfaithfulness of Ephraim is evident, and Israel is tainted, while Judah has abandoned his harvest. The implication of this is that Levi, the forefather of the priests, collaborated with Simeon to obliterate the entire city of Sikimah, punishing those who wronged his sister. Hence, God rebukes the priests, stating that their descendants lacked the fervor of their forebears. They avenged their sister’s offense and were protective of their family, but you have failed to uphold honor; you were unwilling to denounce the evil done against Me and remained silent, even as all Ephraim and Judah engaged in such dreadful impurities. It is a great misfortune that Judah, at the time when the fruits of Divine promises should have been gathered, neglected the harvest. Therefore, O Judah, cast aside your indifference and inertia.