Hosea 11:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And my people {H5971} are bent {H8511} to backsliding {H4878} from me: though they called {H7121} them to the most High {H5920}, none at all {H3162} would exalt {H7311} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

My people are hanging in suspense about returning to me; and though they call them upwards, nobody makes a move.

Berean Standard Bible

My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

American Standard Version

And my people are bent on backsliding from me: though they call them to him that is on high, none at all will exalt him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 11:7 poignantly describes the ingrained spiritual stubbornness of Israel, particularly the Northern Kingdom, which exhibited a persistent inclination towards apostasy despite God's unwavering love and repeated calls for repentance. The verse highlights the tragic reality that even when divinely summoned to acknowledge and honor the Most High, the people collectively refused to exalt Him, choosing instead to follow their own rebellious path.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 11 stands as a tender, yet sorrowful, lament from God, who speaks as a loving father recounting Israel's infancy and His devoted care for them from their earliest days, particularly their deliverance from Egypt ([Hosea 11:1](/hosea/11-1 "Hosea 11:1 - God's Love for Israel")). Despite this profound, paternal love, Israel, like a wayward child, consistently turned away. Verse 7 specifically follows God's recounting of His nurturing acts and Israel's subsequent rebellion, emphasizing the depth of their unfaithfulness and the seemingly inherent nature of their "backsliding." The preceding verses detail God's drawing them with "cords of a man, with bands of love" ([Hosea 11:4](/hosea/11-4 "Hosea 11:4 - God's Loving Guidance")), yet they refused to return, facing the consequence of returning to Egypt or Assyria ([Hosea 11:5](/hosea/11-5 "Hosea 11:5 - Israel's Refusal to Return")). This verse, therefore, serves as a direct indictment of their hardened hearts in the face of divine grace.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Hosea ministered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) during the tumultuous 8th century BC, a period marked by political instability, assassinations of kings, and increasing Assyrian dominance, culminating in Israel's fall in 722 BC. The nation had consistently broken its covenant with Yahweh, engaging in widespread idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal, and seeking alliances with foreign powers like Egypt and Assyria rather than trusting in God alone. Hosea's message often employed the powerful metaphor of a broken marriage, with God as the faithful husband and Israel as the unfaithful wife, reflecting the spiritual adultery of the nation. The "calls to the Most High" would have come through prophets like Hosea himself, urging the people to abandon their syncretistic practices and political maneuvering for genuine repentance and exclusive worship of Yahweh, the covenant God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Hosea. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Persistent Backsliding** or apostasy, portraying Israel's unfaithfulness not as an occasional lapse but as a deeply ingrained, almost habitual, inclination. The phrase "bent to backsliding" suggests a fundamental spiritual disposition. Secondly, it highlights the **Divine Call and Human Rejection**, illustrating God's continuous, loving efforts to draw His people back into right relationship, contrasted sharply with their stubborn refusal to respond. This tension between divine grace and human rebellion is central to Hosea's prophecy. Finally, the verse emphasizes Israel's **Refusal to Exalt God**, demonstrating their unwillingness to give Yahweh His rightful place of preeminence, honor, and worship, preferring their idols and self-serving ambitions. This rejection of God's sovereignty is a recurring motif throughout the book.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bent (Hebrew, _tâlâʼ'_):** From H8511, this word means "to suspend" or "to hang," and figuratively, "to be uncertain" or "to habituate." In this context, it conveys a sense of being fixed, inclined, or habitually drawn towards something. It implies a deep-seated, almost gravitational pull towards apostasy, suggesting that Israel's backsliding was not accidental but a settled disposition, as if their very being was suspended in that direction.
* **backsliding (Hebrew, _mᵉshûwbâh'_):** From H4878, this term refers to "apostasy" or "turning away." It signifies a deliberate departure from a right path or a turning back from a covenant relationship. It is a strong theological term for spiritual defection, indicating a willful rejection of God's authority and a breach of the covenant.
* **exalt (Hebrew, _rûwm'_):** From H7311, this primitive root means "to be high," "to rise," or "to raise." It encompasses various applications, including to lift up, extol, or promote. Here, it refers to giving God preeminence, honor, and worship, acknowledging His supreme position. Israel's refusal to "exalt Him" signifies their denial of His sovereignty and their failure to render Him the worship and obedience He deserved.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And my people are bent to backsliding from me:"** This clause vividly portrays Israel's inherent and persistent inclination towards spiritual rebellion. The word "bent" suggests a deep-seated, almost involuntary tendency, a fixed disposition of the heart. It implies that turning away from God was not an occasional stumble but a characteristic posture of the nation, a willful departure from their covenant relationship with Yahweh.
* **"though they called them to the most High,"** This phrase highlights God's continuous and gracious efforts to reclaim His people. Through His prophets and divine interventions, God repeatedly extended invitations for repentance and a return to Him, the "Most High" (Hebrew: `ʻal`, H5920), emphasizing His supreme authority and exalted position. This underscores God's persistent love and patience despite Israel's unfaithfulness.
* **"none at all would exalt [him]."** This concluding statement reveals the tragic outcome of God's persistent calls: a complete and utter rejection by the people. The phrase "none at all" (Hebrew: `yachad`, H3162, meaning "unitedly" or "altogether") emphasizes the pervasive nature of their refusal. They collectively refused to lift God up, to give Him honor, worship, or obedience, preferring their idols and self-serving ways over acknowledging His rightful place as sovereign Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 11:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The phrase "bent to backsliding" utilizes **Metaphor** and **Personification**, attributing a physical posture or ingrained habit to the nation of Israel, as if their spiritual inclination was a natural, gravitational pull. This vivid imagery emphasizes the deep-seated nature of their apostasy. There is also a strong **Contrast** evident in the verse: God's persistent, loving calls to the "Most High" are set against the people's collective, stubborn refusal to "exalt Him." This juxtaposition amplifies the tragedy of Israel's unfaithfulness. Furthermore, the phrase "none at all" functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the widespread and pervasive nature of their rejection, even if not every single individual was equally rebellious, it conveys the dominant spiritual climate of the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 11:7 profoundly illustrates the tragic reality of human sin and the persistent nature of spiritual rebellion against a loving God. It speaks to the covenant unfaithfulness of Israel, highlighting their willful turning away from the God who had redeemed and nurtured them. Despite God's unwavering grace and repeated calls to repentance, the people chose a path of idolatry and self-reliance, demonstrating a deep-seated spiritual stubbornness. This verse underscores the tension between God's sovereign initiative in calling His people and humanity's capacity for hardened hearts and collective rejection. It reveals that true worship involves not just outward acts but an inward disposition to "exalt" God, giving Him preeminence in all aspects of life.
* [Deuteronomy 32:15](/deuteronomy/32-15 "Deuteronomy 32:15 - Jeshurun's Rebellion")
* [Jeremiah 8:5](/jeremiah/8-5 "Jeremiah 8:5 - Jerusalem's Persistent Backsliding")
* [Hebrews 3:12](/hebrews/3-12 "Hebrews 3:12 - Warning Against Unbelief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 11:7 serves as a profound mirror for contemporary believers, prompting us to honestly examine the inclinations of our own hearts. Do we, like ancient Israel, exhibit a "bent to backsliding" – a subtle or overt tendency to drift from God, to neglect the spiritual disciplines that nourish our relationship with Him, or to prioritize worldly desires and self-interest over His will? The verse reminds us that God's call to the "Most High" is continuous, speaking to us through His Word, the Holy Spirit, and the community of faith, urging us to repentance and renewed fellowship when we stray. Our response should be one of genuine repentance and a conscious decision to "exalt" Him in every area of our lives, giving Him the preeminence He deserves in our thoughts, words, and deeds. This means choosing obedience over rebellion, trust over self-reliance, and sincere worship over empty rituals or the pursuit of idols, whether they be material possessions, power, or even our own comfort.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you notice a "bent to backsliding" from God's ways?**
* **How has God called you back to Himself when you have strayed, and how have you responded?**
* **What does it practically mean for you to "exalt" God in your daily life, and what might be hindering you from doing so more fully?**

### FAQ
**What does "bent to backsliding" mean in Hosea 11:7?**

Answer: The phrase "bent to backsliding" (Hebrew: `tâlâʼ` `mᵉshûwbâh`) describes a deep-seated, habitual inclination towards apostasy or turning away from God. It suggests that Israel's unfaithfulness was not merely an occasional lapse but a consistent, almost ingrained disposition of their hearts. It implies a fixed tendency to rebel against God's covenant and to pursue idolatry or self-serving paths, despite His loving calls to return.

**Who is "the most High" referred to in this verse?**

Answer: "The most High" (Hebrew: `ʻal`) refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This title emphasizes His supreme sovereignty, exalted position, and ultimate authority. The verse highlights that even though God, in His supreme majesty, repeatedly called His people back to Himself through His prophets, they stubbornly refused to acknowledge His rightful place or to offer Him genuine worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 11:7, with its lament over Israel's persistent backsliding and refusal to exalt God, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. While Israel continually turned away from the "Most High," Jesus Christ perfectly embodied obedience and faithfulness, never being "bent to backsliding." He is the ultimate "call to the Most High," not merely a messenger but God Himself incarnate, drawing humanity back into fellowship with the Father ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Furthermore, Israel's failure to "exalt Him" contrasts sharply with the exaltation of Christ. Though Israel refused to lift up the Lord, God Himself "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")), through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Through Christ, those who were once "bent to backsliding" can now be made new, their hearts transformed by the Holy Spirit to genuinely desire to exalt God, offering true worship and obedience as a new creation in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). He is the true Israel, the faithful Son, who perfectly fulfilled the covenant that Israel continually broke, offering a path for all people to return to the Most High and truly exalt Him.

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

Jeremiah 8:5

Why [then] is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

Amos 5:14

Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

Amos 5:15

Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

Hosea 7:16

They return, [but] not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this [shall be] their derision in the land of Egypt.

Hosea 14:4

¶ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

Psalms 81:11

But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

Jeremiah 3:11

And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.