Hosea 8:9
For they are needs gone up to Assyria, they who like a wild ass should dwell alone: Ephraim spendeth lovers' gifts.
Leeser Tanakh
In The King James Version
For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.
In Context
8Swallowed up is Israel: now are they among the nations as a vessel without any value.
Cross References
2 Kings 15:19[Then] came Pul the king of Assyria against the land: and Menachem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to strengthen the kingdom in his hand.
Isaiah 30:2That travel to go down into Egypt, and have not asked my will; to strengthen themselves through the strength of Pharaoh, and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!
Jeremiah 2:24[Like] a wild ass used to the wilderness, that at her pleasure snuffeth up the wind; her lust—who can turn this away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month will they find her.
Ezekiel 23:5And Aholah played the harlot while she was mine; and she longed for her lovers, for the Assyrians that were near [her],
Hosea 2:10(2:12) And now will I lay open her disgrace before the eyes of her lovers, and no man shall deliver her out of my hand.
Hosea 7:11And Ephraim is become like a silly dove without understanding: Egypt did they call hither, to Assyria did they go.
Matthew Henry on Hosea 8:9-14
The Sins of Israel; The Crimes of the People. ( b. c. 745.) 8 Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure. 9 For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers. 10 Yea, though they have hired among the nations, now will I gather them, and they shall sorrow a little for the burden of the king of princes. 11 Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin. 12 I have written to him the great things… Read the whole commentary →