Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 4:13

13 They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains , and burn incense upon the hills , under oaks , and poplars , and elms , because the shadow thereof is good : therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom , and your spouses shall commit adultery .

Both priests and people.

Where their Altars were sometimes to God, sometimes to Idols these were the high places, chosen out by themselves, and where their Sacrifices offered to God were esteem'd little else than Idolatry, Isa. 57.7.

An other piece of Idolatry they practised, which as it usually was joyned to their sacrifices, so is it here added by the Prophet. This Idolatry abounded in Israel, where without controul it had been in use ever since their Revolt if not before. A wood so deep rooted, that the best Kings of Iudah could not quite extirpate it.

Some say Pines, or the Alder.

The white poplar.

Or Lime-tree, or the Tree whose boughs stretch'd out together cast a pleasant shadow. Under all these 'tis certain the Antient Heathen did perform their Idolatrous services; so did this people choose all these great Trees which having many and great boughs▪ do afford the darkest and coolest recesses, Ezek: 20.28.

Convenient for the Sacrificers, while the smoke and smell of the Sacrifice went up through the boughs, and the coolness of the shady place kept their persons from sultry heat, it may be they thought (as the Heathen did) that the Nu[illegible: 1 letter]en, Deity delighted to dwell, or be often in such places.

For these sins of yours, though you account them no sins, for your harmonizing with Heathenish Superstitions, for your leaving my Temple, and against my commands, Sacrifice where best liketh you.

Shall dishonour themselves, and their Families, by their lewdness and unlawful converse with Fornicators. The sin of the Fathers is thus punisht, that they might see Gods just hand punishing, and the sin punisht: Here is spiritual whoredom punisht: with giving up Daughters to their wandring lusts.

Or spouses of your sons, as Gallic. Version, a great unhappiness to any Family to be disparaged and wronged by Adultresses, and a grievous punishment where, or whensoever executed; and this is here foretold, ('twill be so) not countenanced.

Marginal references: Isa. 1.29. Ezek. 6.13.