Hosea 4:13

KJV

They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof [is] good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.

KJV (with Strong's)

They sacrifice {H2076} upon the tops {H7218} of the mountains {H2022}, and burn incense {H6999} upon the hills {H1389}, under oaks {H437} and poplars {H3839} and elms {H424}, because the shadow {H6738} thereof is good {H2896}: therefore your daughters {H1323} shall commit whoredom {H2181}, and your spouses {H3618} shall commit adultery {H5003}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They sacrifice on the mountain peaks and offer incense on the hills under oaks, poplars and pistachio trees; because they give good shade. Therefore your daughters behave like whores, And your daughters-in-law commit adultery.

Berean Standard Bible

They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.

American Standard Version

They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters play the harlot, and your brides commit adultery.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 4:13 delivers a scathing indictment against ancient Israel, particularly the northern kingdom, for their rampant idolatry and its severe moral consequences. The verse exposes how Israel's abandonment of Yahweh for pagan worship on "high places" – under the deceptive comfort of sacred trees – directly led to widespread sexual immorality among their daughters and spouses, illustrating the profound link between spiritual unfaithfulness and societal moral decay.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Hosea 4, which opens with a divine "controversy" or "lawsuit" (`rîḇ`) against Israel (Hosea 4:1). God brings charges against His people for their lack of truth, mercy, and knowledge of God in the land. The preceding verses (Hosea 4:2-3) detail the pervasive societal breakdown, including swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery, leading to the desolation of the land. Verse 13 then provides a specific example of the spiritual root of this moral collapse: their idolatrous worship practices. The subsequent verses (Hosea 4:14-19) continue to elaborate on the consequences of their spiritual and moral corruption, emphasizing that even the priests and prophets are implicated in the nation's sin.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During the period of the divided monarchy, particularly in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), there was a persistent syncretism where the worship of Yahweh was blended with the worship of Canaanite deities like Baal and Asherah. This practice often occurred at "high places" (Hebrew: `bamot`), which were elevated sites, sometimes natural hills or mountains, where altars and cultic objects were erected. These sites were traditionally associated with pagan fertility cults, often involving ritual prostitution to invoke agricultural prosperity. The mention of "oaks and poplars and elms" points to specific trees considered sacred in these Canaanite rites, believed to embody divine presence or power, offering a "good shadow" – a deceptive sense of security, comfort, or spiritual efficacy that lured the Israelites away from exclusive devotion to Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 4:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Idolatry as Spiritual Adultery**, a pervasive metaphor throughout Hosea where Israel's unfaithfulness to God is likened to a wife's infidelity to her husband (Hosea 1-3). The verse explicitly links this spiritual betrayal to **Moral Decay and Societal Breakdown**, demonstrating that a nation's spiritual health directly impacts its ethical fabric. The "whoredom" and "adultery" of the daughters and spouses are not merely isolated sins but a direct consequence and reflection of the parents' (and the nation's) spiritual "whoredom" with idols. Furthermore, the phrase "because the shadow thereof is good" highlights the **Deceptive Allure of Sin**, revealing how pagan practices offered immediate, tangible, and seemingly beneficial outcomes (like fertility or prosperity) that masked their true destructive nature and ultimate spiritual emptiness, drawing people away from the true source of blessing found in a covenant relationship with God, as seen in the warnings of [Deuteronomy 6:10-15](/deuteronomy/6-10-15 "Deuteronomy 6:10-15 - Warning Against Forgetting God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sacrifice (Hebrew, _zâbach'_):** (H2076) This primitive root signifies the slaughter of an animal, typically in the context of a religious offering. In Hosea 4:13, it highlights the act of offering sacrifices to false gods, directly violating the covenant command against idolatry. The term underscores the perversion of a divinely ordained practice (sacrifice to Yahweh) being redirected to pagan deities.
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** (H2896) This adjective describes something as good in the widest sense, encompassing beauty, favor, pleasantness, or prosperity. In this context, "the shadow thereof is good" reveals the perceived benefit or attractiveness of the pagan worship sites. It speaks to the deceptive allure and superficial comfort that drew Israel away from Yahweh, suggesting that the idolatrous practices offered a false sense of well-being or spiritual satisfaction.
* **whoredom (Hebrew, _zânâh'_):** (H2181) This primitive root refers to committing adultery or fornication, often specifically of the female. Crucially, in prophetic literature, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry, portraying the nation as a harlot who has abandoned her covenant husband, Yahweh. The explicit linking of literal sexual immorality ("your daughters shall commit whoredom") to the preceding spiritual "whoredom" of idolatry demonstrates the direct and devastating consequences of spiritual apostasy on societal morality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills":** This clause describes the specific location and nature of Israel's idolatrous worship. "Tops of the mountains" and "hills" refer to the "high places" (`bamot`), which were prevalent sites for Canaanite cultic activities dedicated to Baal and Asherah, in direct defiance of God's command to worship Him exclusively in Jerusalem. The acts of "sacrifice" and "burning incense" are cultic rituals, here perverted by being offered to false gods, signifying a complete abandonment of Yahweh's prescribed worship.
* **"under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good":** This phrase further specifies the setting of their pagan worship, identifying particular trees that were considered sacred in Canaanite religion. The "good shadow" they provided refers to the physical comfort (shade from the sun) but also metaphorically to the perceived spiritual comfort, allure, or efficacy of these pagan practices. It highlights the deceptive attraction of idolatry, offering a superficial sense of security or blessing that masked its true destructive nature.
* **"therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery":** This is the stark consequence clause, directly linking the spiritual idolatry of the parents/nation to the literal sexual immorality of their descendants. The "therefore" establishes a causal connection: because the people engaged in spiritual "whoredom" with idols, their families would experience literal "whoredom" and "adultery." This demonstrates God's judgment and the principle that spiritual rebellion inevitably leads to moral degradation and societal breakdown, often mirroring the nature of the initial spiritual sin.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 4:13 makes powerful use of **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. The "mountains" and "hills" symbolize the "high places" of pagan worship, which were centers of spiritual rebellion against Yahweh. The "oaks, poplars, and elms" are not merely trees but symbolize the sacred groves associated with Canaanite fertility cults, representing the deceptive allure of false worship. The most profound literary device is the **Metaphorical Linkage** between spiritual idolatry and literal sexual immorality. The "whoredom" of the daughters and "adultery" of the spouses serve as a direct, tangible consequence and a mirroring of the nation's spiritual "whoredom" (idolatry) against God. This creates a stark **Juxtaposition** between the perceived "goodness" of the pagan shadow and the actual moral decay it produces. The phrase "because the shadow thereof is good" also employs **Irony**, as what appears to be good and comforting leads directly to devastating moral corruption and divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 4:13 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that spiritual apostasy inevitably leads to moral and societal decay. Israel's turning from the one true God to the worship of idols, particularly fertility cults, directly resulted in the breakdown of sexual purity within their families. This demonstrates that true morality flows from a right relationship with God, and when that relationship is corrupted by idolatry, the very fabric of society unravels. The "good shadow" of pagan trees highlights the deceptive nature of sin, which often promises comfort or benefit but ultimately delivers destruction and judgment. This passage serves as a timeless warning that anything that takes precedence over God in our lives becomes an idol, and such spiritual infidelity will have tangible, often devastating, consequences in our personal lives, families, and communities.

* [Deuteronomy 32:16-17](/deuteronomy/32-16-17 "Deuteronomy 32:16-17 - Provoking God with Idols")
* [Jeremiah 3:8-9](/jeremiah/3-8-9 "Jeremiah 3:8-9 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery")
* [Psalm 106:35-39](/psalms/106-35-39 "Psalm 106:35-39 - Consequences of Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 4:13 presents a sobering mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine the "high places" in our own lives. While we may not literally sacrifice on mountaintops, modern idolatry manifests in anything that displaces God from His rightful supremacy – be it the pursuit of wealth, status, pleasure, comfort, or even self-reliance. The "good shadow" of these idols promises satisfaction, security, or happiness, but ultimately, they lead to spiritual emptiness and moral compromise. Just as Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness led to literal sexual immorality, our own spiritual compromises can subtly erode our character and impact those around us, particularly our families. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, urging us to identify and dismantle any idols in our hearts, returning to exclusive devotion to the Lord. It reminds us that genuine spiritual health is the foundation for moral integrity and that our commitment to God has profound implications for the well-being of our households and communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or "sacred trees" in my life offer a "good shadow" but draw my devotion away from God?**
* **How might my own spiritual compromises or idolatries be subtly impacting the moral and spiritual health of my family or community?**
* **In what ways do I seek comfort, security, or satisfaction from sources other than God, and what are the potential consequences of such misplaced trust?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "mountains," "hills," and "trees" in this verse?**

Answer: The "mountains," "hills," and specific "oaks, poplars, and elms" mentioned in Hosea 4:13 are highly significant because they represent the "high places" (`bamot`) where ancient Israelites engaged in pagan worship. These were often elevated natural sites or constructed altars where Canaanite fertility cults, dedicated to deities like Baal and Asherah, were practiced. The trees were considered sacred in these cults, believed to embody divine presence or power, and offered a "good shadow" – a deceptive sense of comfort, security, or spiritual efficacy that lured the Israelites away from exclusive devotion to Yahweh. Their use signifies a direct violation of God's command for centralized, pure worship and highlights the syncretism prevalent in Israel. The Lord had explicitly forbidden such practices, as seen in [Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2-4 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Idolatrous Sites").

**How does spiritual idolatry lead to literal sexual immorality, as described here?**

Answer: Hosea 4:13 establishes a direct causal link between Israel's spiritual idolatry and the literal sexual immorality of their daughters and spouses. This connection is multifaceted. Theologically, Israel's covenant with Yahweh was often portrayed as a marriage; thus, idolatry was spiritual "whoredom" or "adultery" against God. When the people broke their covenant with God, they abandoned the moral framework and divine standards that uphold purity and faithfulness. Furthermore, many Canaanite fertility cults involved ritual prostitution as a means of invoking divine blessing for crops and livestock. By participating in these pagan rituals, the Israelites not only committed spiritual adultery but also exposed themselves and their families to, and even encouraged, literal sexual immorality. The actions of the parents (spiritual infidelity) directly influenced the moral behavior of their children, demonstrating how a nation's spiritual health underpins its ethical integrity, as also warned in [Leviticus 18:24-30](/leviticus/18-24-30 "Leviticus 18:24-30 - Abominations and Consequences").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 4:13, with its stark portrayal of Israel's spiritual and moral decay due to idolatry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. Israel's spiritual "whoredom" was a profound breach of covenant, a rejection of their divine Husband. Jesus, as the incarnate Son of God, perfectly embodies the faithfulness that Israel lacked, living a life of complete obedience and exclusive devotion to the Father. He came not only to expose the depths of human sin, including idolatry and its resulting immorality, but also to provide the definitive solution. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus bore the judgment for humanity's spiritual and literal "whoredom," offering forgiveness and reconciliation. He became the true "good shadow," not a deceptive comfort under pagan trees, but the very "light of the world" (as declared in [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), offering genuine refuge and spiritual life. In Christ, believers are redeemed from the bondage of idolatry and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of purity and faithfulness, becoming the "bride of Christ" (as described in [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")) who is being sanctified and made ready for Him, thereby fulfilling the covenant relationship that Israel so tragically broke. He is the one who truly takes away the sin of the world, including the spiritual and moral corruption highlighted in Hosea 4:13, as proclaimed by [John the Baptist in John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Isaiah 1:29

For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

Ezekiel 6:13

Then shall ye know that I [am] the LORD, when their slain [men] shall be among their idols round about their altars, upon every high hill, in all the tops of the mountains, and under every green tree, and under every thick oak, the place where they did offer sweet savour to all their idols.

Jeremiah 3:6

¶ The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen [that] which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

Amos 7:17

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.

2 Samuel 12:10

Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

2 Samuel 12:12

For thou didst [it] secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun.

Isaiah 57:5

Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?