Hosea 2:17

17 She will no longer speak about the gods that are named after Baal. She will not pray to them for help anymore.

Hosea 2:17 Meaning and Commentary

Hosea 2:17

For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth,
&c.] Out of the mouth of Israel, as Saadiah; out of the mouth of the converted Jews, and even out of the mouth of the Gentiles, as Kimchi owns; the several Baals, as Baalpeor, Baalberith, and Baalzebub, and others: the names of them should be no more used, should not be spoken of, unless with detestation and abhorrence; not with honour and respect, with love and affection, or so as to yield worship and homage to them; or otherwise their names may be lawfully mentioned, as in ( Romans 11:4 ) , there seems to be some reference to the law in ( Exodus 23:13 ) , the sense is, that idolatry shall be utterly abolished, even of every kind; not the worship of Baalim only, but of all other idols: and so the Targum is,

``and I will take away the name of the idols of the people out of their mouth;''
and may design the idolatry of the church of Rome; their worship of images of gold and silver, wood, brass, and stone in whose communion are many of the Jews at this time; but when the time of their conversion comes, all this will be abolished among them, and among the Gentiles also: and they shall no more be remembered by their name;
or made mention of by name; the same thing as before, in other words, repeated for the confirmation of it.

Hosea 2:17 In-Context

15 I will give her back her vineyards. I will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope for her. Then she will love me, as she did when she was young. She will love me just as she did when she came up out of Egypt.
16 "A new day is coming," announces the Lord. "Israel will call me My Husband. She will no longer call me My Master.
17 She will no longer speak about the gods that are named after Baal. She will not pray to them for help anymore.
18 At that time I will make a covenant for the good of my people. I will make it with the wild animals and the birds of the air. It will also be made with the creatures that move on the ground. I will remove bows and swords and other weapons of war from the land. Then my people can lie down in safety.
19 I will make Israel my own. She will belong to me forever. I will do to her what is right and fair. I will love her tenderly.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica.   All rights reserved worldwide.