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.

For she did not know {H3045} that I gave {H5414} her corn {H1715}, and wine {H8492}, and oil {H3323}, and multiplied {H7235} her silver {H3701} and gold {H2091}, which they prepared {H6213} for Baal {H1168}.

For she doesn't know it was I who gave her the grain, the wine and the oil; I who increased her silver and gold, which they used for Ba'al.

For she does not acknowledge that it was I who gave her grain, new wine, and oil, who lavished on her silver and gold— which they crafted for Baal.

For she did not know that I gave her the grain, and the new wine, and the oil, and multiplied unto her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.

Commentary on Hosea 2:8 (KJV)

Hosea 2:8 is a poignant verse that encapsulates Israel's spiritual adultery and God's unwavering faithfulness despite their rebellion. It reveals the core of Israel's sin: their failure to acknowledge the true source of their blessings.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Hosea ministered to the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim) during a period of relative prosperity but profound spiritual decay, roughly from the mid-8th century BC. This era was marked by political instability and rampant idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal. Baal was a prominent Canaanite storm and fertility god, believed by many to be the source of rain and agricultural abundance. The Israelites, influenced by their pagan neighbors, began to attribute their harvests of "corn, and wine, and oil" to Baal rather than to Yahweh, the God who had delivered them from Egypt and established a covenant with them. This verse highlights the deep-seated spiritual ignorance and ingratitude that permeated Israelite society, despite God's continuous provision, setting the stage for the warnings and promises found throughout the book of Hosea, which often depicts Israel as an unfaithful wife (see Hosea 1:2).

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Unseen Provision: The verse powerfully emphasizes that God was the true giver of all material blessings – "corn, and wine, and oil," and "silver and gold." These were not products of chance or the favor of false gods, but direct gifts from the Lord.
  • Israel's Spiritual Amnesia and Ingratitude: The phrase "she did not know" points to a profound spiritual blindness. Israel had forgotten or willfully ignored the Lord's benevolent hand, attributing His gifts to Baal. This demonstrates a deep ingratitude and a failure to recognize divine sovereignty.
  • The Deception of Idolatry: Idolatry is not just worshipping false gods; it's also misattributing God's blessings and using His provisions for unholy purposes. Israel used the very resources God provided to serve an idol, preparing them "for Baal." This act was a direct violation of the covenant and a form of spiritual adultery (compare Jeremiah 3:8-9).
  • The Foundation for Judgment: This verse lays the groundwork for God's subsequent judgment on Israel (as detailed in verses like Hosea 2:9-13), where He threatens to withdraw the very blessings they attributed to Baal, thereby exposing the futility of their idolatry.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV terms "corn, and wine, and oil" represent the staple agricultural products of ancient Israel – grain, grapes (for wine), and olives (for oil). These were not merely foodstuffs but also significant economic commodities, signifying prosperity and the basic necessities of life. The Hebrew word for "Baal" (בעל) literally means "lord" or "master," but in this context, it refers specifically to the Canaanite deity. The irony is profound: Israel used God's provision to honor a false "lord" who was ultimately powerless.

Practical Application

Hosea 2:8 serves as a timeless warning and a call to reflection for believers today. It challenges us to honestly examine the source of our blessings and where our gratitude truly lies. Do we recognize God as the ultimate provider of our health, wealth, talents, and opportunities (see James 1:17)? Or do we subtly attribute our success to ourselves, luck, or even modern "idols" like career, money, status, or human ingenuity? This verse encourages a spirit of profound gratitude to God for His ceaseless provision and warns against the subtle forms of idolatry that can lead us to forget His benevolence and misuse His gifts.

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.
  • Isaiah 1:3

    The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: [but] Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
  • Hosea 8:4

    They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew [it] not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.
  • Hosea 13:2

    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.
  • Hosea 4:11

    Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
  • Ezekiel 16:16

    And of thy garments thou didst take, and deckedst thy high places with divers colours, and playedst the harlot thereupon: [the like things] shall not come, neither shall it be [so].
  • Ezekiel 16:19

    My meat also which I gave thee, fine flour, and oil, and honey, [wherewith] I fed thee, thou hast even set it before them for a sweet savour: and [thus] it was, saith the Lord GOD.
  • Judges 9:27

    And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode [the grapes], and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.

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