Hosea 8:5

Authorized King James Version

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Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?

Original Language Analysis

זָנַח֙ hath cast H2186
זָנַח֙ hath cast
Strong's: H2186
Word #: 1 of 11
reject, forsake, fail
עֶגְלֵ֣ךְ Thy calf H5695
עֶגְלֵ֣ךְ Thy calf
Strong's: H5695
Word #: 2 of 11
a (male) calf (as frisking round), especially one nearly grown (i.e., a steer)
שֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן O Samaria H8111
שֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן O Samaria
Strong's: H8111
Word #: 3 of 11
shomeron, a place in palestine
חָרָ֥ה is kindled H2734
חָרָ֥ה is kindled
Strong's: H2734
Word #: 4 of 11
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
אַפִּ֖י thee off mine anger H639
אַפִּ֖י thee off mine anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 5 of 11
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
בָּ֑ם H0
בָּ֑ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 6 of 11
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 7 of 11
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מָתַ֕י H4970
מָתַ֕י
Strong's: H4970
Word #: 8 of 11
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
לֹ֥א against them how long will it be ere H3808
לֹ֥א against them how long will it be ere
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יוּכְל֖וּ they attain H3201
יוּכְל֖וּ they attain
Strong's: H3201
Word #: 10 of 11
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
נִקָּיֹֽן׃ to innocency H5356
נִקָּיֹֽן׃ to innocency
Strong's: H5356
Word #: 11 of 11
clearness (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & Commentary

Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?' Ironic reversal: Israel thought they possessed the calf-idol, but the calf 'cast them off' - rejected/abandoned them. Powerless idols can't help, only harm. 'Mine anger kindled' announces divine wrath. 'How long ere they attain innocency?' expresses longing for their repentance. This demonstrates idolatry's futility and God's patience. The calf (Jeroboam's golden calves) couldn't save, only provoke divine anger. Yet God desires their innocence (restoration). Christ provides both: removes idols and grants innocence through His righteousness.

Historical Context

Jeroboam I's golden calves at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-30) became northern kingdom's defining sin. For 200+ years they maintained this idolatry despite prophetic warnings. Assyria destroyed these shrines (2 Kings 17:24-33). The irony: they trusted calves for protection, but calves 'cast them off' - abandoning them to judgment. This demonstrates idolatry's universal pattern: trusted things fail when needed most. Only true God saves; all substitutes disappoint.

Questions for Reflection