Hosea 2:5

Translations

Modern

For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’

Traditional

For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.

Literal

For their mother has been a prostitute; she who conceived them has acted shamefully, for she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, those giving me my bread and my water, my wool and my linen, my oil and my drink.’

Latin

Quia fornicata est mater eorum, confusa est quæ concepit eos; quia dixit: Vadam post amatores meos, qui dant panes mihi, et aquas meas, lanam meam, et linum meum, oleum meum, et potum meum.

Original

Hebrew

English

For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’

Notes

Hosea 2:5

The only evidence needed to prove Israel’s unfaithfulness comes from her own words: I will go after my lovers. Israel’s lovers were the Canaanite fertility deities, especially the baals (local representations of the god Baal). The Israelites worshiped them because they believed these gods controlled nature's reproductive forces. The Israelites attributed to them the basic necessities of life: food, water, clothing of wool and linen, and oil used for both sacred and everyday purposes.

Hosea 2:2–23

Rebuke your mother, rebuke her: At first glance, the Lord, like an upset husband, seems to be giving a divorce to his unfaithful wife, Israel (see Deuteronomy 24:1). However, as the passage continues, it becomes clear that God’s goal in this lawsuit is not divorce, but reconciliation (Hosea 2:14–23).

God’s case against Israel aims to make Israel aware of her sin and offer her a chance to return to her true husband. The Lord’s desire for reconciliation with Israel is surprising because the law required the death penalty for an unfaithful spouse (Deuteronomy 22:22; see also Genesis 38:24; Leviticus 21:9).

Hosea 1:2–3:5

This section describes a small part of the prophet's life, focusing on his troubled marriage. It highlights God's difficult relationship with Israel, his chosen people.

Theme notes and profiles

God’s Faithfulness to His People Retribution The Broken Covenant

Events

Prophecies of Hoseac. 785 BC

Related verses

Jeremiah 44:17–18
Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster.
Hosea 3:1
Then the LORD said to me, “Go show love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love to offer raisin cakes to idols.”
Isaiah 1:21
See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers!
Hosea 2:8
For she does not acknowledge that it was I who gave her grain, new wine, and oil, who lavished on her silver and gold—which they crafted for Baal.
Hosea 2:12–13
I will destroy her vines and fig trees, which she thinks are the wages paid by her lovers. So I will make them into a thicket, and the beasts of the field will devour them.
Jeremiah 3:1–9
“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD.
Ezekiel 23:16–17
At the sight of them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea.
Isaiah 57:7–8
On a high and lofty hill you have made your bed, and there you went up to offer sacrifices.
Hosea 4:12–15
My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God.
Ezekiel 16:28–34
Then you prostituted yourself with the Assyrians, because you were not yet satisfied. Even after that, you were still not satisfied.
Jeremiah 11:13
Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’
Hosea 8:9
For they have gone up to Assyria like a wild donkey on its own. Ephraim has hired lovers.

Glossary

Adultery Covenant Gomer Hosea, Book of Mercy People of God Ruhamah Wool

Topics

Flax: Linen Made From Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of Oil used for Food Oil used in Idolatrous Worship Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Captivity, Famine, and Judgments Valleys: Achor Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage

Hosea 2:5

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics