John Calvin Commentary Hosea 13:16

"Samaria shall bear her guilt; for she hath rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword; their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up." — Hosea 13:16 (ASV)

This is the conclusion of the discourse: this verse, then, has been improperly separated from the former chapter, for the Prophet does not enter here on a new subject, but only confirms what he had said about the ultimate destruction of Samaria and of the whole kingdom. Samaria then shall be desolated; as if he said, “I have already often denounced to you what you do not believe: that destruction is near at hand. Be convinced of this now. But if you do not believe, God will still execute what he has determined, and what he now pronounces through my mouth.”

At the same time, he adds the cause: For they have provoked their God. So that they might not complain that they were treated severely, he says that they only suffered the punishment that they deserved.

He also specifies the kind of destruction that was to occur: They shall fall by the sword, their children shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women shall be torn asunder, so that the child may be extracted from the womb. In saying that the citizens of Samaria, and the inhabitants of the whole country, shall fall by the sword, he undoubtedly intimates that God would use this kind of punishment by sending enemies who would consign them to destruction.

So now we see what is included in the words of the Prophet. First, he shows that it was all over for Samaria and the whole kingdom of Israel; since God could by no means bring them to repentance, he would now take vengeance on such desperate obstinacy. Then, he shows that God would do this justly, because he had been provoked. Lastly, he shows what kind of punishment theirs would be.

So that they might not think that the Assyrians would come by chance, the Prophet says that this army, which was to invade and destroy the country of Samaria, would be, so to speak, conducted by the hand of God. For though the Assyrians wished to extend their own borders, and were influenced by their own avarice and greed, yet God would use them as instruments to execute his own judgment.

And so that they might know how dreadful the vengeance would be, he relates two kinds of evils—that their children would be dashed in pieces, and that their women would be torn asunder, and their offspring extracted from their wombs. Even to speak of this is horrible, and it is what never takes place, except when enemies are greatly enraged and extremely provoked. So now we comprehend the meaning of the Prophet.

But if anyone objects and says that infants, and babes still concealed in their mothers' wombs, do not deserve such a grievous punishment, since they have not until now merited such a thing, it may be answered that the whole human race is guilty before God. Thus, infants, though not yet come forth into the light, are still included as being under guilt; and so, God cannot be charged with cruelty, even though he may exercise his own right towards them.

Furthermore, we hear what he declares in many places: that he will transfer the sins of parents to their children. Since this is so, let us learn to acquiesce in these awful judgments of God, though they are very repugnant to our feelings. For we know that we must not contend with God, and that it would be extreme presumption to do so; indeed, it would be impious audacity.

So, though the reason for this punishment may not be apparent to us, we should nevertheless reverently regard this judgment of God. Furthermore, we may reason thus—If infants are not spared, even those still hidden in the mother’s womb, what will become of adults? What will become of the old, who through their whole life have continued to provoke the vengeance of God?

The Lord no doubt intended by these words to terrify those godless despisers of his word, with whom he had to deal. “How great a judgment,” he says, “hangs over you, and how tremendous! Since your infants shall not be exempted: for I shall involve you in the same judgment, when they shall be dashed against the stones, after being drawn out of their mothers' womb. When such a dreadful punishment shall be inflicted on them, what shall be done to you? For the cause of the evil exists in you.”

We have now, then, explained this verse. Then follows an exhortation.