Hosea 13:1-12

1 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel; but he incurred guilt through Baal and died.

2 And now they keep on sinning and make a cast image for themselves, idols of silver made according to their understanding, all of them the work of artisans. "Sacrifice to these," they say. People are kissing calves!

3 Therefore they shall be like the morning mist or like the dew that goes away early, like chaff that swirls from the threshing floor or like smoke from a window.

4 Yet I have been the Lord your God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, and besides me there is no savior.

5 It was I who fed you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.

6 When I fed them, they were satisfied; they were satisfied, and their heart was proud; therefore they forgot me.

7 So I will become like a lion to them, like a leopard I will lurk beside the way.

8 I will fall upon them like a bear robbed of her cubs, and will tear open the covering of their heart; there I will devour them like a lion, as a wild animal would mangle them.

9 I will destroy you, O Israel; who can help you?

10 Where now is your king, that he may save you? Where in all your cities are your rulers, of whom you said, "Give me a king and rulers"?

11 I gave you a king in my anger, and I took him away in my wrath.

12 Ephraim's iniquity is bound up; his sin is kept in store.

Hosea 13:1-12 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Cn Compare Gk: Heb [To these they say sacrifices of people]
• [b]. Gk Syr: Heb [knew]
• [c]. Cn: Heb [according to their pasture]
• [d]. Gk Syr: Heb [for in me is your help]
• [e]. Gk Syr Vg: Heb [I will be]