Hosea 14:2

Take with you. Probably an allusion to the requirement of the Mosaic law that “none shall appear before me empty” (Ex. 23:15). The people might have expected that as an accompaniment of their return the Lord would require animal sacrifices or material gifts. But the prophet calls for neither of these. A simple plea for mercy accompanied by heartfelt repentance and confession is all that the Lord requires (see on Ps. 32:1).

All iniquity. Sin thoroughly repented of can be freely forgiven. Once forgiven it is no longer reckoned to the sinner’s account (see on Ps. 32:2).

Receive us graciously. Literally, “receive thou good,” probably a petition for God to accept as “good” the confession of the penitent.

Calves. Heb. parim, “young bulls.” The dropping of one consonant gives the reading “fruit.” This reading has the support of the LXX and the Syriac and fits well into the context. If parim is retained, the meaning seems to be that as sacrificial bulls the people offer their lips. There is a possible allusion to Hosea 14:2 in Heb. 13:15 in the phrase “the fruit of our lips.” However, the phrase shows agreement with the LXX rather than with the Hebrew.