Hosea 13:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And now they sin {H2398} more and more {H3254}, and have made {H6213} them molten images {H4541} of their silver {H3701}, and idols {H6091} according to their own understanding {H8394}, all of it the work {H4639} of the craftsmen {H2796}: they say {H559} of them, Let the men {H120} that sacrifice {H2076} kiss {H5401} the calves {H5695}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So now they keep adding sin to sin, casting images from their silver; idols they invent for themselves, all of them the work of craftsmen. 'Sacrifice to them,' they say. Men give kisses to calves!

Berean Standard Bible

Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!”

American Standard Version

And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, even idols according to their own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 13:2 vividly exposes the escalating spiritual rebellion of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), revealing their persistent and deepening sin through the widespread practice of idolatry. Despite God's covenant faithfulness and repeated warnings, the people continued to invent and worship deities of their own making, crafted from their precious silver and conceived by their own distorted understanding, culminating in the public act of homage to the golden calves established by Jeroboam. This verse underscores the profound human tendency to deviate from divine truth and create a religion that conforms to personal preferences rather than God's revealed will, leading to inevitable judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 13 is situated within the latter half of the book, where the prophet shifts from extended lament and pleading to stern pronouncements of judgment against Israel for its persistent apostasy. Chapters 11 and 12 recount God's tender, fatherly love for Israel from their infancy, contrasting it sharply with their ungrateful and rebellious nature. While God's compassion is evident in [Hosea 11:8-9](/hosea/11-8-9 "Hosea 11:8-9 - God's Compassion for Ephraim"), chapter 13 intensifies the prophetic indictment, highlighting Israel's pride, their rejection of God as their true King, and the severe consequences that will follow their idolatry. This particular verse, [Hosea 13:2](/hosea/13-2 "Hosea 13:2 - Israel's Idolatry"), serves as a poignant summary of their spiritual decline, illustrating how their sin had become ingrained and progressive, moving them further away from the covenant relationship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "calves" mentioned in this verse directly refer to the golden calves set up by King Jeroboam I in Bethel and Dan shortly after the division of the kingdom (c. 931 BC). As recorded in [1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28-30 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves"), Jeroboam instituted this alternative worship system to prevent the northern tribes from returning to Jerusalem for worship, fearing their allegiance might shift back to the Davidic dynasty. These calves became the central objects of worship for the Northern Kingdom, embodying their national apostasy. The act of "kissing the calves" was a common gesture of homage and reverence in the ancient Near East, signifying devotion and submission to a deity or ruler. By performing this act, the Israelites were explicitly declaring their allegiance to these man-made idols over the one true God, Yahweh, who had delivered them from Egypt and established a covenant with them.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes woven throughout Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Progressive Sin and Apostasy**. The phrase "more and more" indicates a continuous, escalating departure from God's commands, illustrating that Israel's unfaithfulness was not a momentary lapse but a persistent, deepening choice to rebel and embrace spiritual corruption. Secondly, the verse highlights **Idolatry and Man-Made Religion**. Israel's sin is concretely manifested in their creation of "molten images of their silver" and "idols according to their own understanding." This emphasizes the human-centric nature of their worship – gods crafted by human hands and conceived by human minds, standing in stark contrast to the living God who revealed Himself and created them. This self-devised religion, based on "their own understanding" rather than divine revelation, echoes the prophet Jeremiah's lament that God's people had forsaken Him, the fountain of living waters, for broken cisterns that can hold no water, as seen in [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Water"). Finally, the verse speaks to the **Rejection of True Worship** and the Covenant. The act of "kissing the calves" signifies the complete devotion of the Israelites to these false gods, an act of explicit defiance against the God who had delivered them and established a covenant at Sinai, where the making of graven images was strictly forbidden, as outlined in [Exodus 20:4](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - The Second Commandment").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sin (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** This primitive root primarily means "to miss," as in missing a target. Figuratively and generally, it refers to "to sin," implying a deviation from a standard or a failure to meet an obligation. In Hosea 13:2, it signifies Israel's consistent and deliberate failure to adhere to the covenant requirements and their repeated transgression against God's revealed will, missing the mark of righteousness and faithfulness.
* **more and more (Hebrew, _yâçaph'_):** This primitive root means "to add or augment," often used adverbially to indicate continuation or increase. When combined with "sin," as here, it powerfully conveys the idea of a progressive, escalating, and persistent pattern of rebellion. Israel was not merely sinning, but actively adding to their sin, deepening their apostasy with each new act of idolatry.
* **understanding (Hebrew, _tâbûwn'_):** This noun refers to "intelligence," "discretion," "reason," or "wisdom." In the context of "idols according to their own understanding," it highlights the human-centered origin of Israel's false worship. Their idols were not divinely revealed or commanded, but products of human intellect, reasoning, or even caprice, reflecting their own desires and distorted perceptions rather than God's truth. This underscores the dangerous autonomy of human thought when it deviates from divine revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now they sin more and more,"**: This opening clause emphasizes the continuous and escalating nature of Israel's transgression. The "now" (וְעַתָּה, _wə‘attāh_) marks a present reality of intensified rebellion, building upon past unfaithfulness. It suggests a spiritual decline that is not static but actively worsening, indicating a deep-seated and persistent rejection of God's ways.
* **"and have made them molten images of their silver,"**: This specifies the primary form of their sin: idolatry. "Molten images" (מַסֵּכָה, _massēkhāh_) refers to idols cast from metal, often precious metals. The mention of "their silver" highlights the significant material resources and effort the Israelites invested in creating these false gods, demonstrating a profound misdirection of their wealth and devotion away from Yahweh.
* **"[and] idols according to their own understanding,"**: This phrase further clarifies the nature of their idolatry, emphasizing its human origin. The idols were not merely physical objects but manifestations of human intellect and will ("their own understanding," תְּבוּנָה, _təḇūnāh_). This contrasts sharply with the worship of the true God, whose nature and commands are revealed, not invented, by humanity. It points to a self-devised religion that caters to human desires rather than divine truth.
* **"all of it the work of the craftsmen:"**: This clause underscores the futility and absurdity of their worship. The objects of their devotion were undeniably "the work of the craftsmen" (מַעֲשֵׂה חָרָשׁ, _ma‘ăśēh ḥārāš_), highlighting their inanimate, powerless, and created nature. It serves as a stark reminder that these "gods" were products of human hands, utterly dependent on their makers, and therefore incapable of offering salvation, guidance, or power.
* **"they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves."**: This final clause describes the specific act of worship and the public declaration of allegiance to these idols. "Kissing the calves" (יִשָּׁקוּ עֲגָלִים, _yiššāqū ‘ăgālîm_) was a common gesture of adoration and submission in the ancient Near East. This command, uttered by the people themselves, signifies their complete and willing devotion to the golden calves, which represented the national sin established by Jeroboam. It portrays a society that not only practiced idolatry but actively promoted and commanded it among its populace, cementing their rebellion against God.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 13:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of Israel's profound apostasy. **Irony** is prominent, as the very people whom God delivered and blessed now expend their precious silver and human ingenuity to create powerless idols, "the work of the craftsmen," to which they then offer homage. The created worships the creation, a stark reversal of divine order. **Metonymy** is also at play, where "silver" stands in for wealth and resources, highlighting the significant investment Israel made in their false worship. The phrase "according to their own understanding" functions as a form of **Contrast**, setting human wisdom and invention against divine revelation, emphasizing the self-serving nature of their chosen religion. Finally, the vivid imagery of "kiss the calves" is powerful **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical act but a complete spiritual surrender and devotion to false gods, embodying the nation's utter rejection of Yahweh.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 13:2 profoundly illustrates the insidious nature of idolatry, revealing it not merely as the worship of physical objects but as a fundamental rejection of God's sovereignty and a substitution of divine truth with human invention. The Israelites' sin was progressive, marked by a continuous departure from the covenant, reflecting a heart that increasingly chose self-will over divine obedience. This verse underscores the theological truth that true worship must stem from God's revelation, not human understanding or desire. When humanity attempts to create God in its own image or according to its own preferences, it inevitably leads to spiritual barrenness and judgment, as such "gods" are powerless and reflect only the limitations of their makers. This act of "kissing the calves" symbolizes the ultimate betrayal of the covenant, where the people offered their deepest devotion to that which could not save or sustain them, forsaking the living God for dead idols.

* [Exodus 20:4](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - The Second Commandment")
* [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Water")
* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalms/115-4-7 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Futility of Idols")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 13:2 serves as a timeless mirror reflecting the human heart's propensity for idolatry, even in the midst of divine grace. While modern expressions of idolatry may not involve physical calves, the core principle remains: anything that displaces God as the supreme object of our affection, trust, and devotion becomes an idol. This can manifest as the worship of wealth, career, personal image, relationships, pleasure, intellectual pursuits, or even our own opinions and understanding. The phrase "sin more and more" is a sobering reminder of how spiritual compromise can be a gradual, escalating process, leading us further away from God if left unchecked. This verse calls us to a rigorous self-examination, prompting us to identify any "molten images of our silver" – our most cherished resources, time, or talents – that we might be dedicating to pursuits other than God's glory. It challenges us to critically assess whether our faith is truly rooted in God's revealed truth or if we are crafting a "god according to our own understanding," one that fits comfortably into our preconceived notions rather than transforming us. Authentic worship demands our whole heart, directed solely to the one true God, lest we, like ancient Israel, find ourselves "kissing calves" in our own lives and facing the consequences of a divided heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "sinning more and more," gradually drifting from God's revealed will?**
* **What "molten images of my silver" – resources, time, or affections – might I be investing in things other than God?**
* **Am I truly worshipping God as He has revealed Himself, or am I creating a "god according to my own understanding" that aligns with my preferences?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my devotion is solely to the one true God and not to any modern "calves"?**

### FAQ

**Why were calves specifically worshipped in Israel?**

Answer: The worship of calves in Israel originated with King Jeroboam I, who, after the division of the kingdom, set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan (the northern and southern borders of his kingdom) as alternative worship centers to Jerusalem. This was a political move to prevent his people from returning to Jerusalem, which was the capital of the southern kingdom of Judah, for their religious festivals. While the Bible condemns this as idolatry, it's possible Jeroboam intended these calves to represent Yahweh, perhaps as pedestals for the invisible God (similar to the cherubim on the ark), or as a visible representation of His strength and fertility, drawing on ancient Near Eastern symbolism where bulls were associated with deities like Baal. However, regardless of the original intent, this practice quickly devolved into outright idolatry, leading the people away from the true worship of Yahweh and violating the second commandment against making graven images, as seen in [Exodus 20:4](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - The Second Commandment").

**What does "according to their own understanding" mean for our faith today?**

Answer: The phrase "according to their own understanding" (Hebrew: _tâbûwn_) highlights that Israel's idolatry was not merely a passive acceptance of foreign customs but an active, intellectual choice to create a religious system that suited their own desires, reasoning, or convenience, rather than adhering to God's revealed truth. For believers today, this serves as a powerful warning against "self-made" religion or a faith shaped primarily by personal preferences, cultural trends, or human logic, rather than by the authoritative Word of God. It challenges us to ensure that our theological beliefs, moral convictions, and worship practices are grounded in divine revelation, not in what "makes sense" to us or what is comfortable. When we prioritize our own understanding over God's, we risk crafting a "god" that is merely a reflection of ourselves, rather than submitting to the true and living God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture and supremely in Jesus Christ. This can lead to a deceptive form of spiritual pride where our intellect becomes an idol, as warned against in [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 13:2, with its stark portrayal of Israel's escalating idolatry and their creation of gods "according to their own understanding," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Israel's sin was fundamentally a rejection of God's true revelation and a turning to human-made substitutes. In contrast, Jesus is the ultimate and perfect revelation of God, the very "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ the Image of the Invisible God")). Where Israel sought wisdom in their own understanding, Christ is "the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Wisdom of God")), offering truth that transcends human invention. The futility of worshipping idols "made of their silver" and "work of the craftsmen" is shattered by Christ, who, through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, accomplished what no human effort or idol ever could: reconciliation with God and victory over sin and death ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love in Christ's Death")). The call to "kiss the calves" is replaced by the call to worship God "in spirit and truth" through Christ ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), recognizing Him as the one true object of devotion and the sole mediator between God and humanity ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1_timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator, Christ Jesus")). Thus, Hosea's lament over Israel's idolatry ultimately points to the necessity of Christ, through whom humanity can be freed from the bondage of self-made religion and restored to genuine, Spirit-empowered worship of the living God.

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

Isaiah 46:6

They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, [and] hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

Isaiah 44:17

And the residue thereof he maketh a god, [even] his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth [it], and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou [art] my god.

Isaiah 44:20

He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, [Is there] not a lie in my right hand?

Hosea 2:8

For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, [which] they prepared for Baal.

1 Kings 19:18

Yet I have left [me] seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.

Jeremiah 10:4

They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

Romans 1:22

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,