Hosea 13:1-8

The Lord's Relentless Judgment on Israel

1 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; 1he was exalted in Israel, but he incurred guilt 2through Baal and died.
2 And now they sin more and more, and 3make for themselves metal images, idols skillfully made of their silver, 4all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of them, "Those who offer human sacrifice 5kiss calves!"
3 Therefore they shall be 6like the morning mist or 7like the dew that goes early away, 8like the chaff that swirls from the threshing floor or 9like smoke from a window.
4 But 10I am the LORD your God from the land of Egypt; 11you know no God but me, and 12besides me there is no savior.
5 13It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought;
6 14but when they had grazed,[a] they became full, 15they were filled, and their heart was lifted up; 16therefore they forgot me.
7 So 17I am to them like a lion; 18like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.
8 I will fall upon them 19like a bear robbed of her cubs; I will tear open their breast, and there I will devour them like a lion, 20as a wild beast would rip them open.

Hosea 13:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HOSEA 13

This chapter begins with observing the different state and condition of Ephraim before and after his idolatry, Ho 13:1; his increase in it, Ho 13:2; and therefore his prosperity was very short lived, which is signified by various metaphors, Ho 13:3; and his sins are aggravated by the former goodness of God unto him his great ingratitude unto God, and forgetfulness him, Ho 13:4-6; hence he is threatened with his wrath and vengeance in a very severe manner, Ho 13:7,8; for which he had none to blame but himself; yea, such was the grace and goodness of God to him, that though he had destroyed himself, yet there were help and salvation for him in him, Ho 13:9; though not in his king he had desired, and was given, and was took away in wrath, Ho 13:10,11; but his sin being bound up and hid, and he foolish and unwise, sharp corrections would be given him, Ho 13:12,13; and yet a gracious promise is made of redemption from death and the grave by the Messiah, Ho 13:14; but, notwithstanding this, and all his present prosperity, he would be blasted in his wealth and riches; and Samaria the metropolis of his country would he desolate; and the inhabitants of it be used in the most cruel manner, because of their rebellion against God, Ho 13:15,16.

Cross References 20

  • 1. [Amos 6:13]
  • 2. See Hosea 11:2
  • 3. Hosea 2:8
  • 4. [Psalms 115:4; Isaiah 40:19, 20]
  • 5. [1 Kings 19:18; Job 31:26, 27]
  • 6. Hosea 6:4
  • 7. Hosea 6:4
  • 8. See Psalms 1:4
  • 9. See Psalms 68:2
  • 10. Hosea 12:9
  • 11. See Exodus 20:3
  • 12. Isaiah 43:11; Isaiah 45:21
  • 13. Deuteronomy 2:7; Amos 3:2
  • 14. [Hosea 4:7]
  • 15. Deuteronomy 8:12, 14; [Deuteronomy 32:15]
  • 16. Deuteronomy 8:12, 14; [Deuteronomy 32:15]
  • 17. Hosea 5:14
  • 18. Jeremiah 5:6
  • 19. 2 Samuel 17:8; Proverbs 17:12
  • 20. [Hosea 2:12]

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew according to their pasture
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.