Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Ephraim—the ten tribes. Judah was at this time not so given to idolatry as afterwards.
joined to—closely and voluntarily; identifying themselves with them as a whoremonger becomes one flesh with the harlot (Numbers 25:3; I Corinthians 6:16-17).
idols—The Hebrew means also "sorrows," "pains," implying the pain which idolatry brings on its votaries.
let him alone—Leave him to himself. Let him reap the fruits of his own perverse choice; his case is desperate; say nothing to him (compare Jeremiah 7:16). Here Hosea 4:15 shows the address is to Judah, to avoid the contagion of Israel's bad example. He is bent on his own ruin; leave him to his fate, lest, instead of saving him, thou fall thyself (Isaiah 48:20; Jeremiah 50:8; Jeremiah 51:6, Jeremiah 51:45; II Corinthians 6:17).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Hosea 4:17:
Isaiah 44:11
2 Corinthians 6:17
Revelation 7:5-8
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