31. Eminent place. See on 24.
Scornest hire. Usually a harlot receives hire, but Israel gave gifts to her lovers, contrary to the customary procedure ( 31-34). Strategically situated on the great highway between the rival nations of Egypt and Assyria, Israel might appropriately have demanded a price for her friendship. Instead, she paid a heavy price for the aid of these nations. She thus purchased her ruin (see 2 Kings 16:8, 9; Hosea 12:1).