Ho 11:1
11:1 When Israel {a} [was] a child, then I loved him, and called
     my son out of Egypt.

     (a) While the Israelites were in Egypt, and did not provoke
         my wrath by their malice and ingratitude.

Ho 11:2
11:2 [As] they called them, so they {b} went from them: they
     sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven
     images.

     (b) They rebelled and went a contrary way when the Prophets
         called them to repentance.

Ho 11:4
11:4 I drew them with cords {c} of a man, with bands of love:
     and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their
     jaws, and I laid meat unto them.

     (c) That is, friendly, and not as beasts or slaves.

Ho 11:5
11:5 He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the
     Assyrian shall be his {d} king, because they refused to
     return.

     (d) Seeing that they condemn all this kindness, they will
         be led captive into Assyria.

Ho 11:7
11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though {e}
     they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt
     [him].

     (e) That is, the Prophets.

Ho 11:8
11:8 {f} How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? [how] shall I
     deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as {g} Admah?
     [how] shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned
     within me, {h} my repentings are kindled together.

     (f) God considers with himself, and that with a certain
         grief, how to punish them.
     (g) Which were two of the cities that were destroyed with
         Sodom; @De 29:23.
     (h) Meaning that his love with which he first loved them
         positioned him between doubt and assurance in terms of
         what to do: and in this appears his Fatherly affection,
         that his mercy toward his own will overcome his
         judgments, as he declares in the next verse.

Ho 11:9
11:9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not
     return to destroy Ephraim: for I [am] God, and not man; the
     Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not {i} enter
     into the city.

     (i) To consume you, but will cause you to yield, and so
         have mercy on you: and this is meant of the final
         number who will walk after the Lord.

Ho 11:11
11:11 {k} They shall tremble as a bird out of Egypt, and as a
      dove out of the land of Assyria: and I will place them in
      their houses, saith the LORD.

      (k) The Egyptians and the Assyrians will be afraid when
          the Lord maintains his people.

Ho 11:12
11:12 Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of
      Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with {l} God, and
      is faithful with the saints.

      (l) Governs their state according to God's word, and does
          not degenerate.