Hosea 10

“Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD ; what then should a king do to us?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“It shall be also carried unto Assyria for a present to king Jareb: Ephraim shall receive shame, and Israel shall be…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“As for Samaria, her king is cut off as the foam upon the water.” Naming Samaria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“O Israel, thou hast sinned from the days of Gibeah: there they stood: the battle in Gibeah against the children of…” Naming Gibeah and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“It is in my desire that I should chastise them; and the people shall be gathered against them, when they shall bind…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD , till…” Naming Sow keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy…” The line’s distinctive content terms include didst, eaten, fruit. Its relationship to verses 12 and 14 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“So shall Beth-el do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.