Hosea 2:5

KJV

For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give [me] my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.

KJV (with Strong's)

For their mother {H517} hath played the harlot {H2181}: she that conceived {H2029} them hath done shamefully {H3001}: for she said {H559}, I will go {H3212} after {H310} my lovers {H157}, that give {H5414} me my bread {H3899} and my water {H4325}, my wool {H6785} and my flax {H6593}, mine oil {H8081} and my drink {H8250}.

Complete Jewish Bible

their mother prostituted herself, she who conceived them behaved shamelessly; she said, 'I will pursue my lovers, who give me my food and water, wool, flax, olive oil and wine.'

Berean Standard Bible

For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’

American Standard Version

for their mother hath played the harlot; she that conceived them hath done shamefully; for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 2:5 powerfully depicts Israel's profound spiritual infidelity, personifying the nation as an unfaithful mother who has abandoned her divine Husband, the Lord, in favor of "lovers." This verse exposes the heart of their apostasy: the misguided belief that their material blessings—bread, water, wool, flax, oil, and drink—originated from these false deities and foreign alliances, rather than from the gracious hand of God who had faithfully sustained them. It highlights a covenant broken by the pursuit of idolatry and misplaced trust in worldly sources of provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a pivotal section of Hosea (chapters 1-3) that uses the prophet's tumultuous marriage to Gomer, a harlot, as a living parable of Yahweh's covenant relationship with unfaithful Israel. Following the initial portrayal of Gomer's infidelity and the symbolic names of their children in [Hosea 1](/hosea/1 "Hosea 1 - Hosea's Marriage and Symbolic Children"), chapter 2 elaborates on Israel's spiritual harlotry and the consequences thereof. Verse 5 specifically details the *reason* for God's impending judgment mentioned in earlier verses, articulating Israel's direct statement of intent to pursue other gods, thereby providing the rationale for the subsequent divine discipline and the promise of restoration found later in the chapter. The preceding verses ([Hosea 2:2-4](/hosea/2-2-4 "Hosea 2:2-4 - God's Indictment Against Israel")) describe God's intention to strip Israel of her perceived blessings, precisely because she attributed them to her "lovers," setting the stage for this verse's explicit confession of misplaced allegiance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during the turbulent final decades of the northern kingdom of Israel (Samaria), roughly 750-725 BCE, leading up to its fall to Assyria in 722 BCE. This period was marked by political instability, social injustice, and rampant religious syncretism. While the Israelites nominally worshipped Yahweh, they had increasingly adopted the Canaanite fertility cults, particularly the worship of Baal and Asherah. These deities were believed to control rain, crops, and livestock, thus directly impacting agricultural prosperity. Israel's pursuit of "lovers" also refers to their reliance on foreign political alliances (e.g., with Egypt or Assyria) for security and economic gain, rather than trusting in God alone. The "bread and water, wool and flax, oil and drink" were not just basic necessities but symbols of agricultural abundance, which the Israelites, influenced by their pagan neighbors, wrongly attributed to Baal's favor, rather than to Yahweh, who had brought them into the land of plenty and sustained them (as seen in [Deuteronomy 8:11-18](/deuteronomy/8-11-18 "Deuteronomy 8:11-18 - Warning Against Forgetting God in Prosperity")).
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 2:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book. The most prominent is **Spiritual Adultery and Idolatry**, where Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh is likened to a marriage, and their pursuit of other gods is depicted as blatant infidelity. This verse explicitly states the nation's intention to "go after my lovers," underscoring their active choice in this betrayal. Another key theme is **Misplaced Trust and False Provision**, as Israel attributes the very blessings God provided to the false gods and foreign alliances they pursued. This highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of divine sovereignty and provision, echoing warnings found in [Deuteronomy 6:10-12](/deuteronomy/6-10-12 "Deuteronomy 6:10-12 - Warning Against Forgetting God in Prosperity"). Finally, the verse implicitly sets the stage for the theme of **Divine Jealousy and Judgment**, as God, like a spurned husband, will respond to this betrayal with corrective discipline, though ultimately aiming for restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **mother (Hebrew, _ʼêm'_):** (H517) This word signifies the bond of the family and is used figuratively here to represent the nation of Israel as the progenitor or source from which the people (her children) came. By portraying the nation as a "mother," Hosea emphasizes the deep, foundational betrayal at the heart of the community, affecting all its members.
* **played the harlot (Hebrew, _zânâh'_):** (H2181) This primitive root means "to commit adultery" or "to be a harlot," often used of the female. Crucially, in a figurative sense, it means "to commit idolatry." This term is central to Hosea's message, portraying Israel's unfaithfulness to Yahweh as spiritual prostitution, a severe breach of their covenant vows, which were akin to marriage vows between God and Israel. The use of the perfect tense indicates a completed action with ongoing consequences.
* **lovers (Hebrew, _ʼâhab'_):** (H157) This root means "to have affection for" or "to love." In this context, it is used as a participle to denote "those who love" or "lovers." Here, it refers to the false gods (like Baal) and foreign nations that Israel pursued with affection and trust, diverting their devotion from Yahweh. The term underscores the emotional and volitional aspect of Israel's idolatry, portraying it as a passionate pursuit of illegitimate relationships.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For their mother hath played the harlot:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the central accusation against Israel. The "mother" is a personification of the entire nation, emphasizing that the spiritual infidelity is not isolated but pervasive, deeply ingrained in the national identity and behavior. The act of "playing the harlot" is a direct charge of spiritual adultery against Yahweh, their covenant Husband, indicating a deliberate and profound turning away from exclusive devotion to Him.
* **"she that conceived them hath done shamefully:"** This reinforces the previous clause, reiterating the severity of the nation's spiritual degradation. The one who "conceived them" refers to the same "mother," highlighting her role as the origin and bearer of the people. Her actions have brought disgrace and dishonor not only upon herself but also upon her "children"—the people of Israel—and, by extension, upon the God who chose and formed them. The shame is a consequence of her unfaithfulness and betrayal.
* **"for she said, I will go after my lovers,"** This clause reveals the explicit intent and motivation behind Israel's harlotry. It is not an accidental stumble but a conscious, declared decision to pursue other gods and alliances. The "lovers" represent both the pagan deities (like Baal) and the foreign nations with whom Israel sought alliances, placing their trust and allegiance outside of Yahweh. This statement underscores the volitional nature of their sin, making their apostasy all the more culpable.
* **"that give [me] my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink."** This final, extensive clause exposes the core delusion of Israel's idolatry. The nation mistakenly attributes the essential provisions and luxuries of life—the very sustenance God had promised and faithfully provided since their entry into the land—to these "lovers." This list represents the agricultural bounty and economic well-being of the land, which the Israelites, influenced by Canaanite beliefs, believed were gifts from Baal, the storm and fertility god. This demonstrates a profound amnesia regarding God's past faithfulness and a fundamental misunderstanding of true divine provision, highlighting their spiritual blindness and ingratitude.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 2:5 is rich in **personification**, where the nation of Israel is depicted as a "mother" and an "unfaithful wife" or "harlot." This central metaphor runs through the entire book, making the abstract concept of national apostasy deeply personal and emotionally resonant, mirroring the pain of a betrayed spouse. The phrase "played the harlot" is a powerful **metaphor** for spiritual idolatry, equating the breaking of marital fidelity with the breaking of the covenant relationship with God. The detailed list of provisions—"my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink"—serves as **synecdoche**, where specific parts (these essential goods) represent the whole of Israel's material prosperity and well-being. This list also functions as a form of **irony**, as the very blessings that God provided are attributed to false gods, highlighting the absurdity and ingratitude of Israel's misplaced trust.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 2:5 profoundly illustrates the concept of covenant infidelity, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament where Israel's relationship with Yahweh is consistently framed in marital terms. This verse highlights the danger of spiritual syncretism, where God's people attempt to blend their devotion to the Lord with the worship of other deities or the pursuit of worldly securities. It exposes the human tendency to attribute blessings to false sources, whether idols, human effort, or external powers, rather than acknowledging God as the sole provider and sustainer of life. Theologically, it underscores God's righteous jealousy over His people's affections and His expectation of exclusive devotion, reflecting the first commandment against having other gods before Him.

* [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - No Other Gods Before Me")
* [Jeremiah 2:13](/jeremiah/2-13 "Jeremiah 2:13 - Forsaking the Fountain of Living Waters")
* [Romans 1:25](/romans/1-25 "Romans 1:25 - Exchanging the Truth for a Lie")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 2:5 serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination, challenging us to identify the "lovers" in our own lives—anything or anyone we prioritize over God, from whom we seek our ultimate provision, security, or identity. In a world saturated with distractions and competing allegiances, it is easy to subtly shift our trust from the divine Provider to our careers, financial stability, relationships, social media validation, or even our own abilities. This verse calls believers to a radical re-evaluation of their allegiances, prompting us to ask whether we truly acknowledge God as the source of all blessings, or if we, like ancient Israel, mistakenly attribute our well-being to worldly sources. It underscores the vital importance of cultivating a heart of gratitude and exclusive devotion to God, recognizing that true provision and lasting satisfaction come only from Him. Our spiritual health depends on continually returning to the Lord as our first love and sole provider.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "lovers" or false sources of provision might I be relying on instead of God in my life today?**
* **How does my daily life reflect my true source of security and provision?**
* **In what ways might I be subtly compromising my devotion to God by seeking fulfillment or identity from worldly pursuits?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more exclusive trust in God as my ultimate provider and sustainer?**

### FAQ
**What does "their mother" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: In Hosea 2:5, "their mother" is a powerful personification of the nation of Israel as a whole, particularly the northern kingdom. This metaphor is central to the book of Hosea, where the prophet's own marriage to the unfaithful Gomer serves as an allegory for God's covenant relationship with Israel. Just as a mother gives birth to and nurtures her children, Israel is portrayed as the entity that gave rise to and shaped the people, making her spiritual infidelity a deep, national betrayal that impacts all her "children." This imagery emphasizes the corporate nature of Israel's sin and the profound breach of the covenant established with Yahweh, who is depicted as her divine husband throughout the book (e.g., [Hosea 2:16](/hosea/2-16 "Hosea 2:16 - God as Israel's Husband")).

**Who are the "lovers" mentioned in Hosea 2:5?**

Answer: The "lovers" in Hosea 2:5 refer primarily to two categories of Israel's misplaced allegiances. First, they represent the pagan deities, most notably Baal and Asherah, whose fertility cults were widely adopted by the Israelites. The people mistakenly believed these gods were responsible for their agricultural prosperity—their "bread and water, wool and flax, oil and drink." Second, "lovers" also symbolize the foreign nations and political alliances that Israel pursued for security and economic gain, rather than trusting in God's protection. For example, Israel often sought alliances with powerful nations like Egypt or Assyria, a practice condemned by prophets as a betrayal of their covenant with Yahweh (see [Isaiah 30:1-3](/isaiah/30-1-3 "Isaiah 30:1-3 - Woe to Rebellious Children")). These "lovers" collectively represent anything Israel turned to for provision and security apart from the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 2:5, with its stark portrayal of Israel's spiritual harlotry and misplaced trust, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's revelation of Jesus as the faithful Bridegroom and the ultimate source of all provision. Israel, as the unfaithful "mother," continually sought satisfaction and sustenance from false gods and worldly alliances, failing to recognize Yahweh as her true provider. This foreshadows humanity's universal tendency to seek life and blessing apart from God. In Christ, however, we see the perfect embodiment of God's unwavering faithfulness and provision. Jesus declares Himself to be the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")) and offers "living water" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus Offers Living Water")), fulfilling the very provisions Israel sought from her "lovers." Furthermore, the New Covenant established through Christ's sacrifice transforms the relationship from one of a continually unfaithful bride to one of a redeemed and sanctified Church, the pure bride of Christ ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church as His Bride")). Through Him, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in true devotion, no longer chasing after fleeting worldly "lovers" but finding all their sustenance, security, and identity in the one who truly gives life in abundance ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundantly")). The shame of Israel's harlotry is overcome by the glorious righteousness imputed to those who are in Christ ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Righteousness in Christ")), enabling a genuine and exclusive devotion to God that Israel could not maintain.

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 44:17

But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.

Jeremiah 44:18

But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all [things], and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.

Isaiah 1:21

¶ How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

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.

Hosea 3:1

¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of [her] friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

Hosea 2:12

And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These [are] my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.

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.