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.

And I will visit {H6485} upon her the days {H3117} of Baalim {H1168}, wherein she burned incense {H6999} to them, and she decked {H5710} herself with her earrings {H5141} and her jewels {H2484}, and she went {H3212} after {H310} her lovers {H157}, and forgat {H7911} me, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

I will punish her for offering incense on the feast days of the ba'alim, when she decked herself with her earrings and jewels, pursuing her lovers and forgetting me," says ADONAI.

I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she burned incense to them, when she decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers. But Me she forgot,” declares the LORD.

And I will visit upon her the days of the Baalim, unto which she burned incense, when she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith Jehovah.

Hosea 2:13 is a powerful verse from the prophet Hosea, vividly illustrating God's impending judgment on ancient Israel for their profound unfaithfulness, particularly their widespread worship of the Canaanite deity Baal. It underscores the severity of their spiritual adultery and their deliberate disregard for the covenant relationship they had with the LORD.

Context of Hosea 2:13

The book of Hosea uses the prophet's tumultuous marriage to an unfaithful wife, Gomer, as a poignant metaphor for God's relationship with Israel. As described in Hosea 1:2, Israel, like Gomer, had become a spiritual harlot. In chapter 2, God outlines the consequences of Israel's spiritual harlotry, where they chased after false gods, especially Baal, believing these pagan deities provided their sustenance and prosperity (rain, crops, fertility). This verse specifically highlights the "days of Baalim," referring to the long period during which Israel engaged in widespread Baal worship, often mixing it with genuine worship of the LORD, a practice deeply offensive to God's exclusive claim on their devotion.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Idolatry and Spiritual Adultery: The verse personifies Israel as a woman who "decked herself with her earrings and her jewels" to go after "her lovers" (Baalim). This vivid imagery powerfully conveys Israel's betrayal of their covenant with God, likened to a wife cheating on her husband. Their devotion, resources, and trust were given to false gods, seen as rivals to the LORD.
  • The Consequences of Forgetting God: The ultimate indictment and root cause of their judgment is "forgat me, saith the LORD." This forgetting wasn't merely amnesia but a deliberate disregard for God's commands, His past deliverance from Egypt, and His continuous provision. It was a rejection of their identity as God's chosen people, leading directly to divine judgment. The prophet Jeremiah echoes this profound offense in Jeremiah 2:32, asking, "Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number."

Linguistic Insights

The term "Baalim" (Ba‘alîm in Hebrew) is the plural form of Baal. It refers not to a single deity but to the various local manifestations or "lords" of the Canaanite storm and fertility god, worshipped in different regions and under various titles. Each "Baal" was thought to control the rain, crops, and livestock in its specific locality, tempting Israel to compromise their worship of the one true God for perceived material gain and prosperity.

Practical Application

Hosea 2:13 serves as a timeless warning against idolatry, which extends beyond the worship of physical idols to anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives. Modern "lovers" can be materialism, career success, entertainment, social status, or even self-reliance, all of which can cause us to "forget" God's sovereignty, provision, and commands. This verse calls believers to examine their deepest allegiances, ensuring that their devotion, resources, and trust are primarily placed in the LORD, recognizing Him as the sole source of true life and blessing. It reminds us that spiritual unfaithfulness has serious consequences, but also implicitly points to God's desire for genuine repentance and restoration, a theme beautifully explored later in Hosea's prophecy.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Judges 3:7

    And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

  • Hosea 13:6

    According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

  • Hosea 13:1

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

  • Hosea 11:2

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

  • Jeremiah 7:9

    Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

  • Hosea 8:14

    For Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and buildeth temples; and Judah hath multiplied fenced cities: but I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the palaces thereof.

  • Hosea 9:7

    ¶ The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know [it]: the prophet [is] a fool, the spiritual man [is] mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

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