Geneva Study Bible Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and oil is carried into Egypt. Ephraim feedeth {a} on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he daily increaseth lies and desolation; and they do make a covenant with the Assyrians, and {b} oil is carried into Egypt.
(a) That is, flatters himself with vain confidence. (b) Meaning presents to get friendship. The LORD hath also a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him. The LORD hath also a controversy with {c} Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his doings will he recompense him.
(c) Which in those points was similar to Ephraim, but not in idolatry. He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God: He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had {d} power with God:
(d) Seeing that God in this way preferred Jacob their father, Judah's ingratitude was the more to be abhorred. Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us; Yea, he had {e} power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: {f} he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;
(e) Read Ge 32:24-32. (f) God found Jacob as he lay sleeping in Bethel Ge 28:12, and spoke with him there in such a way that the fruit of that speech appertained to the whole body of the people, of which we are. Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial. Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually. Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually.
He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress. He is {g} a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
(g) As for Ephraim, he is more like the wicked Canaanites than godly Abraham or Jacob. And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin. And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me {h} that were sin.
(h) Thus way the wicked measure God's favour by outward prosperity, and like hypocrites cannot endure that any should reprove their doings. And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast. And I that am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in {i} the days of the solemn feast.
(i) Seeing you will not acknowledge my benefits, I will bring you again to dwell in tents, as in the feast of the Tabernacles, which you now condemn. I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets. I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields. Is there {k} iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields.
(k) The people thought that no man dare have spoken against Gilead, that holy place, and yet the Prophet says that all their religion was but vanity. And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. {l} And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
(l) If you boast of your riches and nobility, you seem to reproach your father, who was a poor fugitive and servant. And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. And by a {m} prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
(m) Meaning Moses, by which appears that whatever they have, it comes from God's free goodness. Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his Lord return unto him. Ephraim provoked him to anger most bitterly: therefore shall he leave his blood upon him, and his reproach shall his LORD return unto him. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
    |