Hosea 13:2
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Hosea 13:2
2 And 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.
Chapter Context
Hosea 13 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, salvation, love. Written during the final years of the northern kingdom (c. 755-710 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Israel faced imminent threat from Assyria while engaging in Canaanite religious syncretism.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-16: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Hosea and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Hosea 13:2
2 And 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.
Analysis
Sin multiplied, idols kissing calves: 'And 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.' Sin intensifies: יוֹסִפוּ לַחֲטֹא (yosifu lachato, they add to sin). They make מַסֵּכָה (massekah, molten images) from silver, עֲצַבִּים (atsabbim, idols) according to תְּבוּנָתָם (tevu natam, their understanding). The shocking practice: men sacrificing (הַזֹּבְחֵי אָדָם, hazovchai adam) kiss עֲגָלִים (agalim, calves). This demonstrates progressive corruption: multiplying sin, self-designed worship, absurd rituals (humans kissing animal idols). Only Christ ends idolatry, directing worship to Father in truth (John 4:23-24).
Historical Context
The molten silver images references both Jeroboam's golden calves (1 Kings 12:28) and proliferating idols people crafted. 'According to their own understanding' describes autonomous worship—designing gods and rituals to suit preferences rather than submitting to divine revelation. The phrase about 'men that sacrifice kissing calves' is variously interpreted: either 'men who sacrifice' kiss calves, or 'those who sacrifice men' kiss calves (suggesting child sacrifice combined with calf worship). Either way, it's absurd: humans (image-bearers) bowing to animal images. Archaeological finds include bull iconography and molten metal idols from this period. This demonstrates worship corruption: creating convenient gods rather than serving the true God.
Reflection
- How does making idols 'according to their own understanding' demonstrate autonomous rebellion rather than revealed worship?
- What does humans kissing calf idols reveal about how far idolatry inverts proper order (Creator worshiped by creation)?
Word Studies
- Sacrifice: זֶבַח (Zevach) H2076 - Sacrifice, offering
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Hosea 2:8, 1 Kings 19:18, Isaiah 46:6, Jeremiah 10:4, Romans 11:4