Hosea 13:4

Yet I [am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for [there is] no saviour beside me.

Yet I am the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} from the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}, and thou shalt know {H3045} no god {H430} but me {H2108}: for there is no saviour {H3467} beside me {H1115}.

Still, I am ADONAI your God, from the land of Egypt; and you don't know any God but me or, other than me, any Savior.

Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me, for there is no Savior besides Me.

Yet I am Jehovah thy God from the land of Egypt; and thou shalt know no god but me, and besides me there is no saviour.

Commentary

Commentary on Hosea 13:4 (KJV)

Hosea 13:4 delivers a powerful declaration of God's unique identity and exclusive claim over Israel, serving as a foundational truth amidst their persistent idolatry. This verse reminds the people of their history with God and His unchanging nature.

Context

The Book of Hosea is a prophetic message delivered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim) during a period of spiritual decline, political instability, and impending judgment from Assyria. Hosea's message is characterized by its vivid imagery of God's steadfast love (hesed) for His unfaithful "wife," Israel. In chapter 13, God pronounces severe judgment due to Israel's increasing sin, particularly their reliance on foreign alliances and their widespread idolatry, including the worship of Baal and calves. Amidst these warnings of destruction, verse 4 stands as a stark reminder of who God truly is and who He has always been for them, contrasting His faithfulness with their rebellion.

Key Themes

  • God's Unchanging Identity and Covenant: The phrase "Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt" immediately grounds God's identity in His historical act of delivering Israel from bondage. This refers to the Exodus, the foundational event of their covenant relationship. It emphasizes His eternal faithfulness despite their present unfaithfulness.
  • Exclusive Monotheism: "and thou shalt know no god but me" is a direct echo of the first commandment given at Sinai (Exodus 20:3). It asserts God's absolute uniqueness and demands exclusive worship. Israel's failure to adhere to this principle was their primary sin.
  • God as the Sole Saviour: "for there is no saviour beside me" highlights God's role as the only true deliverer. Israel had sought salvation and security from foreign nations, military might, or false gods, but Hosea declares that only the LORD can truly save them from their enemies, their sins, and the consequences of their actions. This concept is powerfully echoed in Isaiah 43:11.

Linguistic Insights

The name "LORD" (KJV) is a rendering of the Hebrew YHWH (Yahweh), God's personal covenant name, signifying His self-existence and eternal nature. The term "saviour" comes from the Hebrew root yasha', which means "to save," "deliver," or "rescue." It encompasses physical deliverance from danger or oppression, as well as spiritual salvation. The repeated emphasis on "no god but me" and "no saviour beside me" underscores the absolute singularity and supremacy of God, leaving no room for syncretism or idolatry.

Practical Application

Hosea 13:4 carries profound relevance for believers today. It serves as a timeless reminder that:

  • God is Sovereign and Unchanging: Just as He was the Deliverer from Egypt, He remains our constant God and Saviour. We can trust in His consistent character and past faithfulness.
  • Exclusive Worship is Required: We are called to acknowledge no other "gods" in our lives. This extends beyond literal idols to anything that takes precedence over God in our hearts, such as money, career, possessions, relationships, or self-reliance. Our devotion should be undivided.
  • True Salvation Comes Only from God: In times of trouble, anxiety, or spiritual need, we are prone to seek solutions from worldly sources. This verse directs us to look to God alone for true deliverance, hope, and salvation. As the New Testament affirms, there is salvation in no other name than Jesus Christ, who is God incarnate.

This verse challenges us to examine our hearts and ensure that the LORD truly holds His rightful place as our only God and Saviour.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 45:21

    Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside me.

  • Isaiah 45:22

    Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.

  • Hosea 12:9

    And I [that am] the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt will yet make thee to dwell in tabernacles, as in the days of the solemn feast.

  • Isaiah 43:10

    Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

  • Isaiah 43:13

    Yea, before the day [was] I [am] he; and [there is] none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

  • Exodus 20:2

    I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

  • Exodus 20:3

    Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
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