... promises. The Masoretic Text reads prym, “steers.” The Septuagint renders “fruit,” as if reading pry. There is no need to delete the mem of the Masoretic Text; it is an unassailable example of the enclitic particle, as Wolff (1974:231) and Kuhnigk (1974:154-156) allow; the latter also allows for a bovine pun in a bit of bet-hedging. The writer to the Hebrews identified the “fruit of the lips” as “the sacrifice of praise to God” (13:15; Buchanan 1972:236-237). There is nothing in this that a prophet would have disagreed with; but Hosea also intended a return to the proper offerings of real fruit. Fruit of lips must mean the vows and promises made, including not only offerings but commitment in worship and service. ...