testifies against them
The phrase "testifies against them" suggests a legal or judicial context, where Israel's own actions serve as a witness to their guilt. In the Hebrew, the word "anah" can mean to answer or respond, indicating that their arrogance is speaking volumes about their spiritual state. This imagery is powerful, as it implies that their sins are so evident that they need no other accuser; their behavior is enough to convict them.

both Israel and Ephraim
"Ephraim" is often used as a synonym for the northern kingdom of Israel, as it was the largest and most influential tribe. By mentioning both "Israel and Ephraim," the text emphasizes the collective guilt of the northern kingdom. This dual mention underscores the widespread nature of the sin and the unity in rebellion against God. Historically, Ephraim's leadership role in the northern kingdom made its actions particularly significant.

stumble in their iniquity
The word "stumble" in Hebrew is "kashal," which conveys the idea of faltering or failing. This stumbling is not merely a physical act but a moral and spiritual failure. "Iniquity" refers to a deep-seated sinfulness, a deviation from what is right. The imagery of stumbling suggests that their sin has caused them to lose their way, leading to inevitable downfall. This is a common prophetic theme, where sin leads to destruction.

even Judah stumbles with them
Judah, the southern kingdom, is also implicated in this indictment. The use of "even" highlights the unexpected nature of Judah's involvement, as they were often seen as more faithful compared to the northern kingdom. However, their association with Israel's sin indicates a shared culpability. This serves as a warning that no one is immune to the consequences of sin, and it foreshadows the eventual judgment that would come upon Judah as well.

(1) of Jehovah, who was Israel's glory, as we read in Amos 7:7 of "the excellency of Israel." This explanation suits at once the sense and the context. They knew not God, notwithstanding the special advantages they enjoyed for that knowledge; they had no liking to the knowledge of' Go,], they did not concern themselves about it; and now Jehovah, who should have been their excellency and glory, but who had been thus slighted by them, will testify against them and bear witness to their face by judgments. But

(2) another interpretation recommends itself as equally or more suitable. This interpretation understands "pride" more simply to mean the prosperous state and flourishing condition of which Israel was proud, or rather, perhaps, the haughtiness of Israel, owing to those very circumstances of worldly wealth and greatness. This vain pride and self-exaltation was the great obstacle in the way of their turning to the Lord. If this sense of the word be accepted, the verb had better be rendered" humbled," a meaning which it often has; thus, "humbled shall be the pride of Israel to his face" (that is, in his own sight). Such is the translation of the LXX.: Ταπεινωθήσεται ἡ ὕβρις του Ἰσραήλ εἰς πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ, "The pride of Israel shall be brought low before his face;" while the Chaldee translates similarly, "The glory of Israel shall be humbled while they see it;" the Syriac has, "The pride of Israel shall be humbled in his presence," or before his eyes. Aben Ezra also takes the idea of the verb to be humiliation or depression; while Kimchi takes gaon not so much in the sense of the inward feeling, as of those outward circumstances that promoted it - their greatness and grandeur and glory; and, alluding to the words of the Chaldee rendering, "in their sight," he says, "While they are still in their land before their captivity, they shall perceive their humiliation and degradation, instead of the glory which they had at the beginning." Kimchi, however, as well as most other commentators, seems to have understood the verb in the sense of "testify;" thus, "Israel's pride will testify to his face, when he shall take upon him its punishment." Therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity; Judah also shall fall with them. Pride usually goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. The consequence of Israel's pride was the fall here mentioned. The ten tribes composing the northern kingdom fell into gross and grievous sin, and therefore also into long-suffering and sore sorrow. Even Ephraim, that tribe pre-eminent for power as for pride, and the perpetual rival of Judah, shall fall as well as and with the rest. Judah also, that is, Judah proper, and Benjamin, participating in the same evil course, fell like Israel into sin, and, though more than a century later, into ruin. In vers. 6-10 the prophet details the unavailing and ineffectual efforts of Israel to avert, or at least escape from, the threatened judgments.

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