Hosea 10:5

KJV

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The inhabitants {H7934} of Samaria {H8111} shall fear {H1481} because of the calves {H5697} of Bethaven {H1007}: for the people {H5971} thereof shall mourn {H56} over it, and the priests {H3649} thereof that rejoiced {H1523} on it, for the glory {H3519} thereof, because it is departed {H1540} from it.

Complete Jewish Bible

The inhabitants of Shomron are frightened of the calf-gods of Beit-Aven. Its people mourn over it; its priests tremble over it, over its glory, which has left it.

Berean Standard Bible

The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn with its idolatrous priests— those who rejoiced in its glory— for it has been taken from them into exile.

American Standard Version

The inhabitants of Samaria shall be in terror for the calves of Beth-aven; for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced over it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 10:5 vividly portrays the impending judgment upon the Northern Kingdom of Israel, specifically its capital Samaria, for its pervasive idolatry. The verse predicts a profound reversal of fortune: the inhabitants and, most strikingly, the idolatrous priests who once rejoiced in the golden calves of Bethaven (a derogatory name for Bethel) will now experience fear and mourning as the perceived "glory" of these idols departs, signifying their utter worthlessness and the withdrawal of any false sense of security.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 10:5 is situated within a series of prophetic pronouncements by Hosea against the spiritual apostasy of the Northern Kingdom, often referred to as Ephraim. The chapter opens with Israel described as a luxuriant vine producing fruit for itself, rather than for God, leading to an increase in altars and idolatrous pillars ([Hosea 10:1](/hosea/10-1 "Hosea 10:1 - Israel's Fruitless Prosperity")). The prophet then condemns their divided heart and reliance on human kings and military might instead of God ([Hosea 10:2-4](/hosea/10-2-4 "Hosea 10:2-4 - Israel's Divided Heart")). Verse 5 specifically targets the primary symbol of Israel's idolatry—the golden calves—and the reaction of its worshippers to their inevitable destruction. This sets the stage for further declarations of judgment, including the removal of their king and the desolation of their high places ([Hosea 10:6-8](/hosea/10-6-8 "Hosea 10:6-8 - Judgment on Israel's King and High Places")), culminating in a call for repentance and righteousness ([Hosea 10:12](/hosea/10-12 "Hosea 10:12 - Sow Righteousness")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Hosea ministered during the tumultuous 8th century BC, a period marked by political instability, assassinations of kings, and increasing Assyrian dominance over the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Since the schism of the kingdom following Solomon's reign, King Jeroboam I had established golden calves at Bethel and Dan to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem for worship, thereby securing his political power ([1_kings/12-26-30](/1_kings/12-26-30 "1 Kings 12:26-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). These calves became central to Israel's state-sanctioned idolatry, a direct violation of the First and Second Commandments ([Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")). Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom, was a hub of this syncretistic worship. The term "Bethaven" ("house of iniquity" or "house of vanity") is a prophetic, derogatory renaming of "Bethel" ("house of God"), highlighting how a place once consecrated to God had become a center of spiritual emptiness and rebellion. The impending fear and mourning described in the verse foreshadow the Assyrian conquest of Samaria in 722 BC, which would lead to the destruction of these idols and the exile of the people ([2_kings/17-5-6](/2_kings/17-5-6 "2 Kings 17:5-6 - The Fall of Samaria and Exile")).
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 10:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Hosea. Foremost is the theme of **Idolatry as Spiritual Adultery**, where Israel's worship of false gods is likened to a wife's unfaithfulness to her husband, Yahweh. The verse underscores the **Futility and Powerlessness of Idols**, demonstrating that these man-made objects, far from offering protection or glory, will ultimately bring fear and sorrow to their devotees. It also highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment** as a righteous response to covenant unfaithfulness, where God's jealousy for His own glory necessitates the destruction of rival gods. Finally, the verse speaks to the **Reversal of Fortune** for those who trust in anything other than God, as their former rejoicing in false glory turns to mourning and despair when that glory "departs." This departure of glory echoes the concept of Ichabod, signifying God's presence leaving His people due to their sin ([1_samuel/4-21](/1_samuel/4-21 "1 Samuel 4:21 - Ichabod: The Glory Has Departed")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bethaven (Hebrew, _Bêyth ʼÂven'_):** From the Hebrew words for "house" and "vanity" or "iniquity." This is a prophetic renaming of Bethel, meaning "house of God." Hosea uses this derogatory term to emphasize that what was once a sacred site where Jacob encountered God ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10-22 "Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob's Ladder at Bethel")) had become a center of idolatry and spiritual emptiness, a "house of nothingness" or "house of wickedness" due to the golden calf worship instituted by Jeroboam I.
* **fear (Hebrew, _gûwr'_):** This root word primarily means "to turn aside" or "sojourn," but also carries the connotation of "to shrink" or "fear" as one would in a strange, hostile place. In this context, it signifies a profound dread or terror that will grip the inhabitants of Samaria, a stark contrast to their previous confidence or rejoicing in their idols. Their false sense of security will be shattered, replaced by an overwhelming sense of vulnerability and impending doom.
* **glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** Properly meaning "weight," this term figuratively denotes splendor, honor, or copiousness. Here, it refers to the perceived majesty, honor, or divine presence that the idolaters attributed to their golden calves. This "glory" was not inherent to the idols nor bestowed by God, but was a human projection of worth and power onto a created thing. The phrase "because it is departed from it" signifies the removal of this perceived splendor, exposing the idol's true worthlessness and the idolaters' profound loss.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven:"** This clause sets the stage for the impending judgment. The people of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom and a center of idolatry, will experience profound fear. The cause of their fear is directly linked to "the calves of Bethaven," the golden idols worshipped at Bethel (renamed Bethaven, "house of iniquity," by the prophet). Their false gods, once a source of perceived security and prosperity, will become the very cause of their terror.
* **"for the people thereof shall mourn over it,"** This expands on the emotional consequence. Not only will fear grip them, but deep sorrow and lamentation will follow. The mourning is "over it," referring to the calf-idol, signifying the loss of their object of worship and, by extension, the collapse of their misplaced hope and the impending destruction of their nation.
* **"and the priests thereof [that] rejoiced on it,"** This highlights a specific group: the idolatrous priests (Hebrew: _kâmâr_, often associated with pagan cults) who were the primary facilitators and beneficiaries of the calf worship. Their previous state was one of "rejoicing" in their idol, celebrating its supposed power and the rituals associated with it. This emphasizes the stark reversal of their emotional state from joy to sorrow.
* **"for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it."** This final clause provides the ultimate reason for the fear and mourning. The "glory" (the perceived honor, splendor, or divine presence) that the people and priests attributed to the idol will "depart from it." This signifies the idol's utter powerlessness and worthlessness in the face of God's judgment. The idol is revealed to be a mere piece of metal, incapable of providing protection or blessing, leaving its worshippers with nothing but emptiness and despair.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 10:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of judgment and the futility of idolatry. **Prophetic Renaming** is evident in "Bethaven," a deliberate and derogatory renaming of Bethel ("House of God") to "House of Iniquity" or "House of Vanity." This linguistic alteration powerfully communicates God's judgment on Israel's corrupted worship. **Irony** is sharply present in the reversal of emotions: those who "rejoiced" in their idols will now "fear" and "mourn." Their source of supposed joy becomes the source of their deepest sorrow, highlighting the deceptive nature of false worship. **Symbolism** is central, with the "calves of Bethaven" serving as a potent symbol of Israel's spiritual adultery and misplaced trust in human constructs rather than the living God. Finally, the phrase "the glory thereof, because it is departed from it" utilizes a form of **Personification** or **Metonymy**, where the abstract concept of "glory" is described as physically "departing" from the idol, making the loss tangible and emphasizing the idol's inherent emptiness and lack of true divine presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 10:5 profoundly underscores the biblical truth that God is a jealous God who will not share His glory with idols ([Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "Isaiah 42:8 - God's Glory Not Shared")). It reveals the inherent futility of worshipping anything other than the one true God, demonstrating that what appears glorious or powerful in human eyes, if it rivals God, will ultimately prove to be empty and lead to despair. The verse highlights the inevitable consequences of spiritual apostasy: a reversal of joy into fear and mourning, as the false foundations of security crumble under divine judgment. It serves as a timeless warning that any object, pursuit, or ideology that usurps God's rightful place in our hearts will ultimately disappoint and "depart," leaving only emptiness.

* [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First and Second Commandments")
* [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalm/115-4-8 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Powerlessness of Idols")
* [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 10:5 confronts us with the sobering reality that what we worship ultimately determines our destiny. For ancient Israel, it was literal golden calves; for us today, idols often take more subtle forms: wealth, career, relationships, reputation, political power, or even self-image. Anything we place our ultimate trust, hope, or devotion in, anything that becomes our "glory" or source of security apart from God, is an idol. This verse challenges us to examine our hearts: What do we truly fear losing? What brings us our greatest joy and sense of security? If our hope is placed in created things, Hosea warns that their "glory" will inevitably "depart," leading to fear, disappointment, and mourning. True and lasting security, joy, and peace are found only in worshipping and obeying the Lord, who alone is worthy of all glory and praise and whose presence never departs from His faithful people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "calves of Bethaven" might I be trusting in today, consciously or unconsciously, instead of God?**
* **In what areas of my life do I seek "glory" or security that is not rooted in God's unchanging character and promises?**
* **How might the "departure of glory" from these false sources manifest as fear or mourning in my own life?**
* **What practical steps can I take to reorient my worship and devotion solely to the one true God?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the name "Bethaven" in this verse?**

Answer: "Bethaven" (Hebrew: _Bêyth ʼÂven_) literally means "house of iniquity" or "house of vanity/nothingness." It is a deliberate and derogatory prophetic renaming of "Bethel" (Hebrew: _Bêyth ʼÊl_), which means "house of God." Bethel was originally a sacred site where Jacob had a vision of God ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10-22 "Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob's Ladder at Bethel")). However, after the division of the kingdom, King Jeroboam I established a golden calf there as an alternative center of worship to Jerusalem ([1_kings/12-29](/1_kings/12-29 "1 Kings 12:29 - Jeroboam's Calf at Bethel")). By calling it Bethaven, Hosea powerfully communicates that what was once a "house of God" had become a place of spiritual emptiness, idolatry, and wickedness in God's eyes, highlighting the profound apostasy of the Northern Kingdom.

**Why were golden calves worshipped in Israel, and what was their theological significance (or lack thereof)?**

Answer: The worship of golden calves in Israel originated with Aaron in the wilderness ([Exodus 32:1-6](/exodus/32-1-6 "Exodus 32:1-6 - The Golden Calf at Sinai")) and was later reinstituted by King Jeroboam I in the Northern Kingdom at Bethel and Dan ([1_kings/12-26-30](/1_kings/12-26-30 "1 Kings 12:26-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). The calves were likely intended not as direct representations of Yahweh Himself, but as pedestals or thrones for an invisible deity, or perhaps as symbols of strength and fertility, common in ancient Near Eastern religions (e.g., the bull god Baal). However, for Yahwistic faith, this practice was a grave violation of the Second Commandment, which forbids making any graven image to worship God or any other gods ([Exodus 20:4-5](/exodus/20-4-5 "Exodus 20:4-5 - The Second Commandment")). Theologically, these calves represented a profound compromise of monotheism, a syncretistic attempt to blend Yahweh worship with pagan practices. Hosea 10:5 emphasizes their ultimate lack of theological significance or power, as their "glory" departs, leaving their worshippers in fear and mourning.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 10:5, with its stark portrayal of the futility of idolatry and the departure of false glory, points forward to Jesus Christ as the true and ultimate object of worship, the very embodiment of God's glory. The "glory" that departs from the calves of Bethaven is a fleeting, man-made construct, utterly powerless in the face of divine judgment. In contrast, Jesus Christ is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). He is the true "House of God," the one in whom God's presence truly dwells, not a corrupted Bethel but the very temple of God ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). The fear and mourning experienced by idolaters in Hosea stands in stark contrast to the perfect peace and joy found in Christ, who takes away the sin of the world and offers true life ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"); [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundant")). Our trust, hope, and worship, once misplaced in fleeting idols, find their eternal and unshakeable foundation in Him, for in Christ "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - All Fullness in Christ")), and His glory will never depart.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 9:11

¶ [As for] Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception.

Hosea 5:8

¶ Blow ye the cornet in Gibeah, [and] the trumpet in Ramah: cry aloud [at] Bethaven, after thee, O Benjamin.

2 Kings 23:5

And 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 8:5

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

Hosea 8:6

For from Israel [was] it also: the workman made it; therefore it [is] not God: but the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

Hosea 4:15

Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, [yet] let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

Hosea 13:2

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.