Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 4:8

8 They eat up the sin of my people , and they set their heart on their iniquity .

The Priests who minister to the Idols.

Live upon with delight, maintain themselves and theirs.

Either by conniving at their sins▪ not reproving as they deserve, lest thereby they should disoblige persons and lessen their bounty to them. Or leave them to sin first, and next look for sacrifices for those sins, like some that make gain by the sins of people with whom they dispense. Or more plainly by sin is meant sin-offering, in which the Priest had his share.

See ver. 6. let. [illegible: 1 letter].

Covetous, Luxurious, Idolatrous Priests, the Priests of Baal and the Calves.

Watch to, and earnestly desire, hope and expect.

The people will sin, and bring offerings for sin, which is the iniquity as well as gain of these Priests.

Marginal references: Heb. lift up [illegible: 1 word] soul to their [illegible: 1 word].