TRV
See on the biblical-era map
Study This Verse
Commentary on Hosea 13 verses 5–8
We may observe here, 1. The plentiful provision God had made for Israel and the seasonable supplies he had blessed them with (Hos 13:5): "I did know thee in the wilderness, took cognizance of thy case and made provision for thee, even in a land of great drought, when thou wast in extreme distress, and when no relief was to be had in an ordinary way." See a description of this wilderness, Deu 8:15, Jer 2:6, and say, The God that knew them, and owned them, and fed them there, was a friend indeed, for he was a friend at need and an all-sufficient friend, that could victual so vast an army when all ordinary ways of provision were cut off, and where, if miracles had not been their daily bread, they must all have perished. Note, Help at an exigency lays under peculiar obligations and must never be forgotten. 2. Their unworthy ungrateful abuse of God's favour to them. God not only took care of them in the wilderness, but put them in possession of Canaan, a good land, a large and fat pasture. And (Hos 13:6) according to their pasture so were they filled. God gave them both plenty and dainties, and they did not spare it, but, having been long confined to manna, when they came into Canaan they fed themselves to the full. And this was no hopeful presage; it would have looked better, and promised better, if they had been more modest and moderate in the use of their plenty, and had learned to deny themselves; but what was the effect of it? They were filled, and their heart was exalted. Their luxury and sensuality made them proud, insolent, and secure. The best comment upon this is that of Moses, Deu 32:13-15. But Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked. When the body was stuffed up with plenty the soul was puffed up with pride. Then they began to think their religion a thing below them, and they could not persuade themselves to stoop to the services of it. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God. When they were poor and lame in the wilderness they thought it was necessary for them to keep in with God; but when they were replenished and established in Canaan they began to think they had no further need of him: Their heart was exalted, therefore have they forgotten me. Note, Worldly prosperity, when it feeds men's pride, makes them forgetful of God; for they remember him only when they want him. When Israel was filled, what more could the Almighty do for them? And therefore they said to him, Depart from us, Job 22:17. It is sad that those favours which ought to make us mindful of God, and studious what we shall render to him, should make us unmindful of him, and regardless what we do against him. We ought to know that we live upon God when we live upon common providence, though we do not, as Israel in the wilderness, live upon miracles. 3. God's just resentment of their base ingratitude, Hos 13:7, Hos 13:8. The judgments threatened (Hos 13:3) intimated the departure of all good from them. The threatenings here go further, and intimate the breaking in of all evils upon them; for God, who had so much befriended them, now turns to be their enemy and fights against them, which is expressed here very terribly: I will be unto them as a lion and as a leopard. The lion is strong, and there is no resisting him. The leopard is here taken notice of to be crafty and vigilant: As a leopard by the way will I observe them. As that beast of prey lies in wait by the road-side to catch travellers, and devour them, so will God by his judgments watch over them to do them hurt, as he had watched over them to do them good, Jer 44:27. No opportunity shall be let slip that may accelerate or aggravate their ruin (Jer 5:6): A leopard shall watch over their cities. A lynx, or spotted beast (and such the leopard is), is noted for quicksightedness above any creature (lynx visu - the eyes of a lynx), and so it intimates that not only the power, but the wisdom of God is engaged against those whom he has a controversy with. Some read it (and the original will bear it), I will be as a leopard in the way of Assyria. The judgments of God shall surprise them just when they are going to the Assyrians to seek for protection and help from them. It is added, I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved, and thereby exasperated and made more cruel (Sa2 17:8, Pro 28:15), which intimates how highly God was provoked, and he would make them feel it: He will rend the caul of their heart. The lion is observed to aim at the heart of the beasts he preys upon, and thus will God devour them like a lion. He will send such judgments upon them as shall prey upon their spirits and consume their vitals. Their heart was exalted (Hos 13:6), but God will take an effectual course to bring it down: The wild beast shall tear them; not only God will be as a lion and leopard to them, but the metaphor shall be fulfilled in the letter, for noisome beasts are one of the four sore judgments with which God will destroy a provoking people, Eze 14:15.
Now all this teaches us, 1. That abused goodness turns into the greater severity. Those who despise God and affront him, when he is to them as a careful tender shepherd, shall find he will be even to his own flock as the beasts of prey are. Those whom God has in vain endured with much long-suffering, and invited with much affection, in them he will show his wrath and make them vessels of it, Rom 9:22. Patientia laesa fit furor - Despised patience will turn into fury. 2. That the judgments of God, when they come with commission against impenitent sinners, will be irresistible and very terrible. They will rend the caul of the heart, will fill the soul with confusion, and tear that in pieces; and we are as unable to grapple with them as a lamb is to make his part good against a roaring lion, for who knows the power of God's anger? Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, let us be persuaded to make peace with him; for are we stronger then he?
"But I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt: and thou shalt know no God but me, and there is no saviour beside me. I knew thee in the desert, in the land of drought. According to their pastures they were filled, and were made full: and they lifted up their heart, and have forgotten me." LXX: "But I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt: thou shalt not know any god but me, and there is no savior beside me. I fed thee in the wilderness, in a land of drought. According to their pasture, they were filled, and were made full, and their heart was exalted: and therefore they have forgotten me." He who above had said, "Jacob fled into the land of Syria, and served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep. And by a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved. Now what hath God rendered to them? I am thy Lord God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, which commanded thee through Moses. Take heed lest thou eat and be satisfied, and forget thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt; for there is no God but me, and none other can save." I am the founder of all things, I knew that whether you were fed in the desert and in uninhabitable land, where there was a shortage of everything, where there were no waters: I gave you manna from Heaven and produced fountains of water from the hardest rock. As it is also written elsewhere: "He waxed fat, and kicked, and forgot the God which he had made him" (Deut. XXXII, 15): now they also have eaten and are filled, and their heart has been lifted up, and they have forgotten Him, who they should have been mindful of His benefits. For through so great a waste of desert, where not only does no corn or trees or vines grow, but not even grass, and no waters mitigate the burning heat of the sun, the people of Israel could not have reached the land of the Jordan in forty years, unless the Lord had provided all things. The Lord also brought forth heretics from the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and from the iron furnace, who had previously served the king Pharaoh and his leaders: and He commanded them in the Church not to know any other God except Him who is the creator of all things, and who knows how to save those who He created. He himself knew them and was afraid in a land of solitude; so that they may say: "The Lord feeds me and nothing will be lacking to me: he has placed me in a place of pasture: he has led me over the water of refreshment" (Ps. 22, 1-2). And he gave them the bread of angels, manna from heaven, which they had never eaten in Egypt, and water from a rock that followed them. And that rock, according to the Apostle, was Christ (1 Cor. 10): those who ate and were satisfied, and did not endure the food of the Lord. The same Apostle speaks to them: "Now ye are full, now ye are become rich: ye reign without us, and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you" (I Corinthians 4:8). For they ate the bread that descended from heaven in Holy Scripture, and as David said: "You have revealed to me the uncertain and secret things of your wisdom" (Psalm 50:8). They were filled and satiated and lifted up their heart against the Creator, and fashioned themselves another god, attributing to their own merits whatever they drank or ate, and not to the mercy of God. Therefore they have forgotten God, who commanded them to bind the words of the Law on their eyes, and in their hands, and in the fringes of their garments, lest they would ever forget their God.
Continue studying Hosea 13:6 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Hosea 13:6 delivers a somber indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, highlighting the perilous spiritual trajectory from divine provision to self-exaltation and ultimately, forgetfulness of God. The verse reveals a tragic irony: the very blessings intended to foster gratitude and dependence instead became a catalyst for pride and apostasy, leading Israel to abandon their covenant relationship with their Creator. This profound spiritual amnesia is presented as the root cause of their impending judgment.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Hosea 13:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. Metonymy is evident in "pasture" representing the blessings and provisions God bestowed upon Israel, as the grazing land stands for the abundance it yields. The phrase "their heart was exalted" uses Synecdoche, where "heart" stands for the entire inner being—their will, intellect, and affections—which became prideful. The progression from "pasture" to "filled" to "exalted heart" and finally to "forgotten me" illustrates a clear Cause and Effect relationship, tracing the destructive spiritual trajectory. The entire verse functions as a Proverbial Statement, encapsulating a timeless spiritual truth about the dangers of prosperity and pride, serving as a warning against the human tendency to forget God when blessed.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 13:6 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of human sin and God's consistent character. It underscores the biblical truth that prosperity, while a blessing from God, carries inherent spiritual dangers if not stewarded with humility and remembrance of the Giver. The "exalted heart" leading to forgetfulness is a recurring pattern in Israel's history, demonstrating humanity's propensity to take credit for divine blessings and to elevate self above Creator. This forgetfulness is not benign; it is a profound act of covenant unfaithfulness, demonstrating a rejection of God's sovereignty and love. The verse thus highlights the critical importance of gratitude and humility as safeguards against spiritual apostasy, reminding us that true security lies in an unwavering relationship with God, not in material abundance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 13:6 offers a timeless and sobering mirror for contemporary believers and societies. It challenges us to critically examine our relationship with material blessings, success, and comfort. Do our "pastures" – our jobs, homes, financial security, health, or even spiritual gifts – lead us into deeper gratitude and dependence on God, or do they subtly foster a spirit of self-sufficiency, pride, and a gradual drifting away from Him? The tragic cycle described here warns against the insidious nature of prosperity, which can blind us to our true source of life and provision. To guard against this, we must cultivate a disciplined practice of remembrance, acknowledging daily that "every good and perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17). This calls for intentional humility, a constant posture of thanksgiving, and a commitment to prioritize our relationship with God above all earthly comforts, ensuring that our hearts remain exalted in worship of Him, not in ourselves.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "pasture" refer to in Hosea 13:6?
Answer: In Hosea 13:6, "pasture" (Hebrew: mirʻîyth) metaphorically refers to the abundant provision, sustenance, and prosperity that God had graciously bestowed upon the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Just as a shepherd provides rich grazing lands for his flock, God had provided fertile land, bountiful harvests, and overall material well-being for His people. It signifies the blessings and resources that were meant to sustain them and foster their dependence and gratitude towards their divine Provider.
How does "their heart was exalted" relate to "they have forgotten me"?
Answer: The phrase "their heart was exalted" (Hebrew: rûwm) describes a state of pride, arrogance, and self-importance that arose from Israel's prosperity. Instead of acknowledging God as the source of their blessings, they became self-sufficient and boastful. This elevated sense of self directly led to "forgetting me" (Hebrew: shâkach), which is not mere forgetfulness but an active disregard, neglect, and abandonment of their covenant relationship with God. Their pride caused them to turn away from their Creator, neglecting His commands and His presence, effectively severing the spiritual bond. This tragic progression highlights how pride can corrupt gratitude and lead to spiritual apostasy, as also warned in Proverbs 16:18.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 13:6, while a stark warning to unfaithful Israel, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between Israel's failure and Christ's perfect obedience and humility. Israel, "filled" by God's provision, allowed their hearts to be "exalted" and "forgotten" their Lord. In contrast, Jesus, though "in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped" (Philippians 2:6), but emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant. He was "filled" not with earthly pasture, but with the Spirit, and His heart was never exalted in pride, but always humble and obedient to the Father, even to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). Where Israel forgot God in their abundance, Christ perfectly remembered and glorified the Father in every circumstance, even in suffering and deprivation, demonstrating true dependence and faithfulness. He is the faithful Israel, the one who perfectly embodies the humble gratitude and unwavering devotion that Israel failed to maintain, ultimately becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, including the sin of pride and forgetfulness (John 1:29). Through His sacrifice, believers are now enabled by the Holy Spirit to overcome the very pride and forgetfulness that plagued Israel, living lives of grateful remembrance and humble dependence on God, finding their true "pasture" in Him (Psalm 23:1-2).