Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 6:9

9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent : for they commit lewdness .

What is here charged upon these Priests, they turned Highway-men and Murtherers; some understand of their killing and spoiling those that were going up to Jerusalem to Worship God there; but more likely it is that in this Gilead, were many Murtherers who durst not go out, nor could get their livelihood within the City, but reduced to straits, took this wicked course for a livelyhood, Rob'd and Murther'd on the High-way, and then divided the prey with the Priests, whose consent to the thing made them deeply guilty.

And thus in this manner they act most lew'd things, or these things are done and encouraged by the Priests, because they make it their business, it is their Trade now to contrive and act wickedness, highest wickednesses; or if you rather like it in brief, the Priests by Companies lay wait, and rob, and Murther; like as do the Troops which rob towards Shechem.

Marginal references: Heb. with o[illegible: 2 letters] shoulder. or, to Shechem.; Or, enormity.