Hosea 8:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For this very reason, their venture shall turn back upon themselves, and because of their folly, they will not reap good rewards; instead, they will suffer vengeance as if it comes from within. The Assyrian oppressor, who has ravaged them, will approach, bringing with him a countless host of warriors. It will be as if the entire expanse of the land, the countryside, and the homeland has been invaded, enough to make one think that all the Persian and Median realms have migrated to Samaria. This is conveyed by the phrase 'as the earth.' Yet, 'like an eagle' will come to the house of the Lord; this signifies that a fierce and dreadful force will rush into the very temple of God, assaulting the kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem, looting everything with ease and carrying it away to their own territory. The first to suffer devastation was the land of the Samaritans, along with all Israel residing there. Ultimately, the once glorious city was also seized, concerning which the prophet Jeremiah mourned, saying: 'How lonely sits the city that was full of people?... the princess among the provinces has become a vassal' (Lamentations 1:1). There is no doubt that the temple was also set ablaze in that city. This calamity will befall them, he states, due to their breach of the divine covenant and their wicked transgressions against God's revealed law. With complete disregard for the teachings of the wise Moses, they sought to live according to their own desires, with each person crafting his own version of divine service and law.

Notes: * In Slav. it is added: impassable, ἄβατος, as in Theodoret. and Ald. ed. In Theodoret, moreover, it reads further ὡς ἀλώπηξ, in others: ρἁλπιγξ.

For Israel has spurned what was good; they pursued their enemies; they reigned independently, not through Me; they had leaders, but did not make their significance known to Me; of their riches, they constructed idols for their destruction. What we have interpreted as let there be a trumpet in your throat, aligns with what the Hebrew text states: alechchac sophar, which was similarly understood by Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion. The LXX uniquely stated: in their insides, as it were the earth; the exact meaning of this remains uncertain. Some suggest that 'insides' could refer to two notions: the lower garment part, stretching from the reproductive areas to the feet, or a bend, like a bay such as the Adriatic, Ionian, or Marmara; thus implying that the false prophets, who have followed after the blasphemies of the Egyptians, harbor within them pursuits of lust and worldly things, seeking not fine treasures but mere earthly possessions in their maritime ventures. However, we shall adhere to the authentic Hebrew text and clarify the explanation at hand.

A directive is given to the prophet: Let your voice rise like a trumpet, making it heard far and wide, for many have sinned. When your voice is lifted, declare boldly: like an eagle upon the house of the Lord. This signifies that Nebuchadnezzar and his entire army will approach with predatory swiftness, akin to an eagle swooping in for its prey, and their target is Jerusalem, the sacred temple of God, to destroy it. Ezekiel elaborates on this eagle (in chapter 17), describing it with great wings, feathers, and claws, commanded to enter Lebanon, which refers to the temple of God, as prophesied by Zechariah, who wrote, "Open your doors, O Lebanon, and let fire consume your cedars" (Zechariah 11:1). Thus, I instruct you, O prophet, to sound out a trumpet in your throat, to shout loudly, and proclaim that like an eagle, the king of the Chaldeans shall rise against the house of the Lord, a command warranted by their breaking of My covenant and forsaking My service. Therefore, in their direst hour during the impending captivity, they will cry out to Me, saying, My God, O Israel, we recognize You, we of Israel maintain the name of Jacob, which is dear to You as we are called Israel. Yet the Lord responds, How can you call yourselves Israel when Israel has rejected what is good, rejecting the Lord his God, from whom the name is derived? Because Israel has scorned the good, their enemy, the Assyrian, will pursue and conquer them, having forsaken Me as their King, demanding a ruler as other nations do, acting against My will. Samuel had forewarned them of the burdens of kingship, stating, Their sons and daughters will serve kings (1 Samuel 8), urging them to return to the Lord as the favored King; yet, contrary to divine intention, they established kings for themselves. They did not cease their wrongdoing but compounded it by turning their riches into idols, despite having received them for prosperity and adornment. Consequently, Saul became king not by God's decree but by the folly of the people. With no foundation of piety, he quickly succumbed to wickedness once he began his reign. The phrase, They reigned, but not by Me; they had leaders, but I did not know them, could also relate to Jeroboam son of Nebat and the subsequent leaders. Even though God, displeased with Solomon, intended the division of the kingdom, it does not justify Israel's choice of a king. According to the law, it was imperative to seek the Lord's approval. Thus, it is stated of the Savior that it must transpire that the Son of Man is betrayed, yet woe to the one through whom this betrayal comes (Luke 22:22). Frequently, Scripture depicts the devil as an eagle attempting to build its nest among the stars; if you rise like an eagle, I will cast you down from there, declares the Lord (Obadiah 1:4). Also noteworthy is the proverb regarding those who dishonor their parents (Proverbs 30:17), symbolizing the loss of spiritual vision due to demonic influence, which necessitates the prohibition against consuming the eagle (Leviticus 11). This eagle will assail the gatherings of heretics, formerly the house of the Lord, attacking them due to their breach of God's covenant and abandonment of His law, yet they unjustly cry out: You are my God, we have known You, we who are called Israel, witnessing God and bearing the name of Christ. They act in vain, having appointed kings for themselves and opposed My will, placing as princes those I do not acknowledge, as they do not merit My recognition. Their silver, gold, and all they possessed through nature, words, and thoughts, they have transformed into idols fashioned from their hearts. They did not intend their demise, yet in doing so, they found their own ruin.

It is stated, “The great eagle, the great-winged eagle, the eagle with talons, which has been commanded to enter into Lebanon" (Ezekiel 17:3). They will endure these trials because they have violated My covenant and disregarded My law. Thus it is declared: ...