Hos 7:16 | JFB | STEP | 16. return, but not to the Most High-- or, "to one who is not the Most High," one very different from Him, a stock or a stone. So the Septuagint. deceitful bow-- ( ). A bow which, from its faulty construction, shoots wide of the mark. So Israel pretends to seek God, but turns aside to idols. for the rage of their tongue-- their boast of safety from Egyptian aid, and their "lies" ( ), whereby they pretended to serve God, while worshipping idols; also their perverse defense for their idolatries and blasphemies against God and His prophets ( ; , ). their derision in ... Egypt-- Their "fall" shall be the subject of "derision" to Egypt, to whom they had applied for help ( , ; ).

‏ Hosea 7:16

16. return, but not to the Most High--or, "to one who is not the Most High," one very different from Him, a stock or a stone. So the Septuagint.

deceitful bow--(Psa 78:57). A bow which, from its faulty construction, shoots wide of the mark. So Israel pretends to seek God, but turns aside to idols.

for the rage of their tongue--their boast of safety from Egyptian aid, and their "lies" (Ho 7:13), whereby they pretended to serve God, while worshipping idols; also their perverse defense for their idolatries and blasphemies against God and His prophets (Psa 73:9; 120:2, 3).

their derision in ... Egypt--Their "fall" shall be the subject of "derision" to Egypt, to whom they had applied for help (Ho 9:3, 6; 2Ki 17:4).