Hosea 10:5
The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.
Original Language Analysis
לְעֶגְלוֹת֙
because of the calves
H5697
לְעֶגְלוֹת֙
because of the calves
Strong's:
H5697
Word #:
1 of 18
a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e., a heifer)
יָג֖וּרוּ
shall fear
H1481
יָג֖וּרוּ
shall fear
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָלָ֜יו
H5921
עָלָ֜יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמּ֗וֹ
for the people
H5971
עַמּ֗וֹ
for the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וּכְמָרָיו֙
over it and the priests
H3649
וּכְמָרָיו֙
over it and the priests
Strong's:
H3649
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, an ascetic (as if shrunk with self-maceration), i.e., an idolatrous priest (only in plural)
עָלָ֣יו
H5921
עָלָ֣יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָגִ֔ילוּ
thereof that rejoiced
H1523
יָגִ֔ילוּ
thereof that rejoiced
Strong's:
H1523
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e., usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כְּבוֹד֖וֹ
on it for the glory
H3519
כְּבוֹד֖וֹ
on it for the glory
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Hosea 9:11As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.Hosea 5:8Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, and the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud at Beth-aven, after thee, O Benjamin.Hosea 4:15Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Beth-aven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.2 Kings 23:5And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.Hosea 13:2And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.Acts 19:27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.2 Kings 10:29Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Beth-el, and that were in Dan.2 Kings 17:16And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.2 Chronicles 11:15And he ordained him priests for the high places, and for the devils, and for the calves which he had made.Zephaniah 1:4I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;
Historical Context
The 'calves of Beth-aven' references Jeroboam I's golden calves at Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-29), which Hosea mockingly calls Beth-aven ('house of wickedness,' 4:15). When Assyria conquered, these calves—symbols of Israel's apostasy—were carried off as booty. Historical records confirm Assyrians plundering temples and taking cult objects. The irony: what they trusted for protection couldn't protect itself. Priests who profited from false worship lost their livelihood. 'Glory departed' echoes 1 Samuel 4:21 (Ichabod). This demonstrates that false gods ultimately fail their worshipers. Archaeological evidence shows temples destroyed and cult objects removed during Assyrian conquests.
Questions for Reflection
- How does mourning over departed 'glory' of false gods demonstrate idolatry's ultimate futility?
- What modern idols do people fear for and mourn over when they 'depart'?
Analysis & Commentary
Fear for golden calves: 'The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.' The people fear (יָגוּר, yagur) for עֶגְלוֹת בֵּית אָוֶן (eglot Beit Aven, calves of Beth-aven). They mourn (אָבַל, aval); priests who rejoiced (גִּילוּ, gilu) over it lament because כְּבוֹד (kavod, glory) departed. This demonstrates idolatry's futility: worshiping what cannot save, grieving over powerless gods. Only the living God deserves worship; idols inevitably disappoint. Christ alone has glory that doesn't depart (John 1:14, Hebrews 1:3).