Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 8:9

9 For they are gone up to Assyria , a wild asse alone by himself : Ephraim hath hired lovers .

The Prophet gives now an account why Israel was so impoverisht, and why they should be so severely punisht, why so punisht of God, and why so slighted by man.

Either gone, i. e. have sent Embassadors with rich presents to purchase assistance from Assyria, or gone with their tribute to procure the continuance of the Assyrian confederacy and aids. This confidence and trust in Assyria was accompanied with a casting off their dependance on, and subjection to God, this their sin was very great, and their punishment shall as their sin, be very great. Others refer this going up, unto their going into Captivity into Assyria, and it surely may be a prediction of what shall be (if it be not a Narrative of what is) done.

It was at that time a mighty Nation, whose Kings were very great, and yet more proud then great, as appears in Sennacheribs deportment toward God and Man: This Kingdom had now grown on through Pul, [illegible: 1 letter]iglath Pileser, Salmaneser, and Sennacheribs Reigns, was a terrour to enemies, and the vain confidence of this foolish and sinful people, for which they are particularly threatned, and severely punished.

This is differently applyed by interpreters, some refer it to the King of Assyria, who is fierce, swift and haughty as the wild Ass, and all for himself, thus the French interpret it: So it suits well, Israel thou wilt be disappointed in thy expectation from Ashur a wild Asse, who seeks himself only. Others do refer wild Asse to Israel, who wild, untamed, and burning in lust, (as is reported of the wild Asse) rangeth far and wide for lovers; seeks every where for aids and succours.

Solitary, or in a Wilderness, where is no path or tract; this will well suit them in their Captivity, when they shall be left as in a Wilderness, and may, as perhaps many did, fly into more remote and desolate places, and ramble into uninhabited places, and there take rooting, and give being to Nations which are now known to us, though we know not whence they descended. Or alone by himself, in a posture fit to become a prey to the Lyon of Assyria, so 'tis reported the Lions make a prey of the wild Asses in the Wilderness, so will Assyria make Israel a prey.

Hath dearly bought the Friendship of Assyria in Pul and Salmaneser's time, and more dearly bought Friendship of Egypt in the time of So or Sabacon or Sevechus; for beside all the treasure they laid out on this, they parted with their God for it, and set him against Israel.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 30.6. [illegible: 1 letter]zek. 16.33, [illegible: 2 letters].; Heb. [illegible: 1 span].