Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 5:5

5 And the pride of Israel doth testifie to his face : therefore shall Israel and Ephraim fall in their iniquity : Judah also shall fall with them .

It might have been rendred the excellency or glory of Israel, and so refer'd to God, it would be prediction that God himself would witness against Israel. God is said to swear by the excellency of Iacob, Amos 8.7. i. e. by himself; thus interpreted it would very well accord with what follows in this 5th. and in the 6th verse. But as it is here rendred, 'tis the haughtiness, carnal confidence of Israel grown great, under the long and prosperous Reign of Ieroboam the second, that they thought it impossible such calamities, as foretold by the Prophet, should overtake them, or that God should think so ill of that worship they thought so well of; they neither confess their sins, nor fear Gods judgments.

Is so full and evident witness against Israel, that no other Testimony need be produced

to convince and silence the most impudent and shameless among them:

The nine Tribes, and the head of them Ephraim,

be ruined for their sins of which they are guilty, but repent not.

The two Tribes under Ahaz, now lapsed to Idolatry.

Be captivated too, ere long, soon after sin will undo them.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 7.10.