- What does the sound of the ram’s horn frequently signal — since the prophet is asked to “put a shofar to his mouth”?
- The phrasing “like an eagle over God’s house” seems somewhat puzzling; could it be rendered “auguring the shadow which hovers over the house of Israel”?
- Is the reference to “my Torah” the “Five Books” or, rather, general instruction in mitzvah living?
- Hosea 8:2 indicates that Israel is calling out to God — would that not seem a positive step — and how would this relate to what appears to be a misplaced verse in Hosea 8:14 — since that would appear to question the sincerity of the call?
- In Hosea 8:3, the verse appears to state that “they pursue an enemy.” Might the word “Oyev” actually be rendered “Ov” or some other idolatrous term?
- What is the political implication of Hosea 8:4?
- To what “calf” in Shomron does the text refer in verse 5?
- Hosea 8:6 indicates that the calf idol in Shomron will have what “future”?
- In Hosea 8:7 it is clear that the word “ruah” does not refer to the “spiritual”; what is the meaning of the phrase?
- What is the pun at the end of Hosea 8:7 and the beginning of Hosea 8:8 where the basic Hebrew verb is the same?
- In Hosea 8:9, should the second part of the verse refer to “Ephraim” or, rather, to Mitzra’yim (Egypt)?
- In Hosea 8:10 the meaning of the Hebrew is somewhat unclear but what is the basic message?
- Is it the number of altars (Hosea 8:11) the problem or the kind of altars?
- How have the various “torot” (instructions) given to Israel been treated by Israel?
- Would Hosea 8:13 indicate that those karbanot intended for God are “acceptable” and, if not, why not?
- In Hosea 8:13 is the reference to “back to Egypt” political or predictive of what will become of Israel, by recalling “ancient history”?
- In Hosea 8:14, does the reference to Judah having fortified many cities seem to be in place — and is it the cities of Judea which will be consumed by fire?
