Hosea 5:8

¶ Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, [and] the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud [at] Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.

Blow {H8628} ye the cornet {H7782} in Gibeah {H1390}, and the trumpet {H2689} in Ramah {H7414}: cry aloud {H7321} at Bethaven {H1007}, after {H310} thee, O Benjamin {H1144}.

"Blow the shofar in Giv'ah, a trumpet at Ramah; sound an alarm at Beit-Aven: 'Behind you, Binyamin!'

Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the battle cry in Beth-aven: Lead on, O Benjamin!

Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: sound an alarm at Beth-aven; behind thee, O Benjamin.

Hosea 5:8 is a dramatic prophetic warning, using the imagery of sounding alarm signals in specific locations within the territory of Benjamin. It signifies that danger, likely in the form of impending judgment or invasion, is at the very doorstep of Israel and Judah.

Context

This verse is situated within Hosea's prophecy primarily addressed to the northern kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim), but also includes Judah. Chapter 5 condemns the priests, the people, and the royal house for their deep corruption, idolatry, and unfaithfulness to God. They had turned to foreign alliances instead of relying on the Lord (see Hosea 5:13) and engaged in detestable practices. Verse 8 serves as an urgent alert, indicating that the consequences of their sin are imminent. The locations mentioned—Gibeah, Ramah, and Bethaven—are strategically important towns in the tribal land of Benjamin, situated between Israel and Judah, making them key points to signal danger approaching either kingdom, particularly from the north.

Key Themes

  • Prophetic Warning: The primary theme is the sounding of an urgent alarm, signaling impending danger and judgment.
  • Imminent Judgment: The locations being alerted are close to the border, indicating the threat is not distant but about to arrive.
  • Consequences of Sin: The warning is a direct result of the unfaithfulness and corruption described earlier in the chapter and book.
  • Strategic Locations: Highlighting places in Benjamin emphasizes their vulnerability and the widespread nature of the coming trouble, affecting both kingdoms.

Linguistic Insights

The verse uses two terms for wind instruments: "cornet" (Hebrew: shophar) and "trumpet" (Hebrew: chatsotsrah). The shophar was typically a ram's horn, used for various purposes including religious festivals and sounding alarms. The chatsotsrah was a metal trumpet, often used in warfare and by priests. Using both emphasizes the urgency and the nature of the warning—it is both a sacred call to attention and a military alert.

The name "Bethaven" is significant. It means "House of Vanity" or "House of Wickedness." This is a derogatory name given by the prophets to Bethel ("House of God"), a major religious site in the northern kingdom where King Jeroboam I had set up a golden calf for worship (see 1 Kings 12:29). Calling it Bethaven highlights the idolatry and spiritual corruption centered there, contrasting its actual state with its intended sacred purpose.

Reflection

Hosea 5:8 reminds us that God does not always bring judgment without warning. The sounding of the cornet and trumpet is a divine alarm call, urging people to recognize the seriousness of their sin and the impending consequences. For us today, this verse serves as a reminder to be attentive to God's warnings, whether they come through scripture, circumstances, or the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Ignoring these warnings can lead to severe consequences, just as they did for Israel and Judah. It underscores the need for genuine repentance and turning back to God rather than relying on futile human efforts or false gods, which are nothing but "vanity" like Bethaven.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hosea 9:9

    They have deeply corrupted [themselves], as in the days of Gibeah: [therefore] he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.

  • Hosea 4:15

    Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, [yet] let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

  • 1 Samuel 15:34

    Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

  • Jeremiah 4:5

    ¶ Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.

  • Joel 2:1

    ¶ Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for [it is] nigh at hand;

  • Judges 5:14

    Out of Ephraim [was there] a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.

  • Isaiah 10:29

    They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.

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