Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 8:5

5 ¶ Thy calf , O Samaria, hath cast thee off ; mine anger is kindled against them : how long will it be ere they attain to innocency ?

Ieroboam at first set up two Calves at Dan and Bethel, but 'tis probable, that in process of time there were more set up in other places, for when Israel forgot his God, he built Temples, verse 14. The Calf then here is the chief Idol set up in Samaria, and worshipped there; The Prophet in contempt of the Idol, and in derision of their folly, gives it its right name, 'tis no God, but a Calf, nor yet so much, for that it is sensless and without life.

Been the occasion of casting thee far off, in that by this thou hast provoked God to anger, and he hath cast thee off; Or else thus, if thy God, thy Idol, thy Calf, have done ought, 'tis mischief; thy Calf could not keep it self in Samaria, but is either carried a captive God, or broken into pieces, is carried piece meal into Assyria, and so hath cast thee off; it carryeth somewhat of Irony in it.

Now it is evident, that my anger as fire burneth against the Idols, Idol-makers, and Idol-Worshippers, and shall so burn till they are purified or consumed.

The Prophet is very concise, and perhaps here must be supposed some or other (some one of the people, or the Prophet himself) sighing out to God, how long shall thine anger burn? and answer return'd by God, how long will it be ere they be cleansed?