Hosea 11:2

[As] they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

As they called {H7121} them, so they went {H1980} from them {H6440}: they sacrificed {H2076} unto Baalim {H1168}, and burned incense {H6999} to graven images {H6456}.

But the more [the prophets] called them, the farther they went from them. They sacrificed to the ba'alim and offered incense to idols.

But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.

The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

Commentary

Hosea 11:2 describes the persistent rebellion of the nation of Israel against God, despite His continuous efforts to draw them to Himself. This verse highlights a tragic pattern of divine calling met with human turning away, leading to profound idolatry.

Context

The book of Hosea is a prophetic lament over Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness, often likened to an unfaithful wife. In Hosea 11:1, God recalls His tender love for Israel from their infancy, calling them "my son" out of Egypt. Verse 2 immediately contrasts this divine love and initiative with Israel's subsequent behavior. While God repeatedly called them through His prophets and acts of deliverance, they consistently moved away from Him.

Historically, this refers to Israel's repeated backsliding during the periods of the Judges and Kings, where they frequently abandoned the covenant with Yahweh to worship foreign deities. The northern kingdom of Israel, to whom Hosea primarily prophesied, was particularly entrenched in the worship of false gods, adopting many practices from ancient Canaanite religion.

Key Themes

  • Divine Calling and Human Rejection: The verse illustrates God's persistent efforts to call His people to Himself, even from their earliest days. However, it equally emphasizes Israel's consistent refusal to heed these calls, demonstrating a pattern of spiritual rebellion.
  • Idolatry and Apostasy: The core transgression mentioned is the worship of "Baalim" (plural for Baal, referring to the various local manifestations of the Canaanite storm god) and "graven images." This was a direct violation of the first and second commandments, representing a complete spiritual abandonment of the one true God for pagan practices.
  • Unfaithfulness and Consequences: This verse sets the stage for the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness that Hosea prophesies throughout his book, highlighting the sorrow and judgment that follow such spiritual apostasy.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Baalim" (ื‘ึผึฐืขึธืœึดื™ื, bฤสฟฤƒlรฎm) is the plural form of Baal, indicating not just one specific deity but the various local gods worshipped in Canaanite religion. This emphasizes the widespread nature of Israel's idolatry, embracing multiple pagan cults. "Graven images" (ืคึผึฐืกึดื™ืœึดื™ื, pฤ•sรฎlรฎm) refers to carved or sculpted idols, tangible representations of false gods to whom they offered worship, including burning incense.

Practical Application

Hosea 11:2 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual indifference and idolatry. For believers today, it prompts reflection on how we respond to God's ongoing call in our lives. Are we quick to turn away from His voice when it challenges our comfort or desires? Modern "graven images" may not be physical idols but can include anything that takes precedence over God in our hearts: careers, possessions, relationships, or even self-worship. This verse reminds us of the dangers of prioritizing anything over our relationship with the Creator and the importance of keeping ourselves from idols, whether overt or subtle.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 2:13

    And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 18:15

    Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;

  • Isaiah 65:7

    Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.

  • Hosea 13:1

    ยถ When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

  • 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.

  • Hosea 11:7

    And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

  • John 3:19

    And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
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