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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Ephraim: see Hos_7:1,8.
Is like a silly dove; a deceived dove, seduced by false prophets and idolatrous priests, whose weak arguments are soon believed, and whose unseasonable advice is too soon followed: Ephraim is now become like the dove in weakness and fear, as well as in imprudence and liableness to be deceived.
Without heart: this explains the former, whether heart here be judgment and discretion, as sometimes it is, or be resolution and courage, as other while it is; this dove, this Ephraim, wants both.
They call; they should in their perplexity call on God, who can help, but they do not; they call indeed, but not to their God, or to a friend.
To Egypt: this Hoshea did, 2Ki_17:4; and I remember not any mention of other application to Egypt since Jehu’s time. It is probable Hosea aims at this embassy, and private confederacy, of which, as of a thing in hand, he speaketh. They do call to Egypt, whose king is called So, and judged to be Sabacon the Ethiopian, who had lately conquered Egypt: by this also may we guess at the time of this prophecy, about some four years before Samaria was taken.
They go to Assyria; so did Menahem when on the throne, so did Hoshea, as is evident, 2Ki_15:19,20, with 2Ki_17:3. Thus both betrayed the greatest imprudence, depending for help on professed, old inveterate enemies. So silly were they! See Hos_5:13 14:3.