Hosea 8:13

KJV

They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it; but] the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

KJV (with Strong's)

They sacrifice {H2076} flesh {H1320} for the sacrifices {H2077} of mine offerings {H1890}, and eat {H398} it; but the LORD {H3068} accepteth {H7521} them not; now will he remember {H2142} their iniquity {H5771}, and visit {H6485} their sins {H2403}: they shall return {H7725} to Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They offer me sacrifices of flesh and eat them, but ADONAI does not accept them. Now he will recall their crimes and punish their sins - they will return to Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to Me, and though they eat the meat, the LORD does not accept them. Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.

American Standard Version

As for the sacrifices of mine offerings, they sacrifice flesh and eat it; but Jehovah accepteth them not: now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins; they shall return to Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 8:13 delivers a scathing indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) for their profound spiritual apostasy and hypocritical worship. Despite meticulously performing outward religious rituals, their hearts were far from God, rendering their sacrifices unacceptable. This verse pronounces God's impending judgment, declaring that He will actively recall and punish their persistent iniquity and sin, culminating in a prophetic return to a state of spiritual and physical bondage akin to their former slavery in Egypt.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of Hosea (chapters 7-10) where the prophet continues to expose Israel's deep-seated rebellion against their covenant God. Having previously detailed their political instability, reliance on foreign alliances, and pervasive idolatry, Hosea 8 specifically condemns their religious hypocrisy. The preceding verses (Hosea 8:1-12) speak of their transgression of God's covenant, their making of kings without God's approval, their reliance on idols of silver and gold, and their empty pursuit of foreign aid. Verse 13, therefore, serves as a direct consequence of this comprehensive spiritual failure, highlighting that even their religious acts are tainted and rejected, leading inevitably to divine retribution and exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during the tumultuous latter half of the 8th century BCE, a period marked by political instability, assassinations, and the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire. The Northern Kingdom of Israel, often referred to as Ephraim, had a long history of syncretism, blending Yahwistic worship with Canaanite Baal worship, particularly at sites like Bethel and Dan where golden calves were worshipped. Culturally, sacrifice was central to ancient Near Eastern religions, including Israelite worship, serving as a means of atonement, thanksgiving, and communion with the deity. However, Hosea's indictment reveals that Israel had corrupted these practices, performing them mechanically or with idolatrous intent, rather than with genuine repentance and faithfulness to the covenant God. Their political alliances with Egypt and Assyria, explicitly condemned elsewhere in Hosea, further illustrate their rejection of God's sovereignty and protection.
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 8:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Hosea. It underscores the theme of **Insincere Worship**, demonstrating that outward religious performance without inward devotion is an abomination to God. This echoes the broader prophetic critique found in passages like [Isaiah 1:10-17](/isaiah/1-10-17 "God Rejects Empty Rituals") and [Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21-24 "God Desires Justice, Not Empty Worship"), where God expresses disdain for ritualistic acts devoid of justice and righteousness. The verse also highlights **God's Rejection of Corrupted Offerings**, emphasizing that their sacrifices, though outwardly conforming to ritual, were defiled by their unfaithfulness and idolatry, rendering them unacceptable. Furthermore, it foreshadows **Divine Judgment and Accountability**, as God's "remembering" their iniquity is not a lapse of memory but an active decision to bring about the promised consequences of their covenant breach. Finally, the phrase "they shall return to Egypt" is a potent symbol of **Reversal of Redemption and Return to Bondage**, indicating that their persistent rebellion would lead them back into a state of oppression, mirroring the very slavery from which God had miraculously delivered them, as warned in [Deuteronomy 28:68](/deuteronomy/28-68 "The Curse of Returning to Egypt").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **flesh (Hebrew, _bâsâr'_):** This word refers to the physical meat of the animal sacrificed. In this context, its use emphasizes Israel's focus on the material aspect of the sacrifice—the eating, the outward show, the physical consumption—rather than the spiritual purpose or the heart behind the offering. It highlights their carnal approach to what should have been a sacred act of communion and devotion to God.
* **accepteth (Hebrew, _râtsâh'_):** This verb signifies being pleased with, approving, or finding favor. Its negation ("accepteth them not") is a powerful declaration of God's utter rejection of Israel's sacrifices. Despite the performance of the ritual, God finds no pleasure or satisfaction in their offerings because they are not accompanied by genuine repentance, faithfulness, or a right heart. This word underscores the divine standard for worship: it must be pleasing to God, not merely performed by humans.
* **remember (Hebrew, _zâkar'_):** While often meaning to recall to mind, in a theological context, "remember" for God is an active, volitional act that leads to intervention or action. When God "remembers" iniquity, it signifies that the time for judgment has come; He is actively bringing their sins to account and will respond with consequences. It is not a passive mental recollection but an active, judicial determination to visit their sins with punishment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it;":** This clause describes Israel's continued practice of offering sacrifices and consuming the meat, outwardly appearing to fulfill religious obligations. However, the phrasing subtly highlights their distorted focus: they sacrifice "flesh" (the material) "for the sacrifices of mine offerings" (God's prescribed rituals). The emphasis is on their act, their consumption, and the physical ritual, rather than the spiritual intent or God's pleasure.
* **"but the LORD accepteth them not;":** This is the pivotal declaration. Despite their outward religious activity, the sovereign God (YHWH) explicitly rejects their offerings. Their sacrifices are devoid of true devotion, repentance, or faithfulness, rendering them meaningless and even offensive in His sight. This rejection underscores that God looks beyond the ritual to the heart of the worshipper.
* **"now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins:":** This phrase signifies God's impending judgment. His "remembering" is not forgetfulness but an active decision to bring their accumulated "iniquity" (perversity, moral evil) and "sins" (offenses, habitual sinfulness) to account. To "visit" their sins means to intervene with punitive action, bringing about the consequences of their persistent rebellion.
* **"they shall return to Egypt.":** This is a stark prophetic pronouncement of judgment. Having been miraculously delivered from literal slavery in Egypt, their spiritual and moral decline will lead them back to a state of oppression and bondage, likely through Assyrian or Babylonian captivity. It symbolizes a reversal of God's redemptive work, a return to the very condition from which God had freed them, signifying profound spiritual and national degradation.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 8:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as Israel, a people delivered from Egyptian bondage, performs religious rituals that are supposed to connect them to God, only to find these very acts rejected, leading to a metaphorical "return to Egypt." This highlights the tragic paradox of their spiritual state. **Symbolism** is powerfully used with the phrase "return to Egypt," which transcends a literal geographic return to represent a reversal of divine liberation and a descent into a new form of spiritual and national slavery. It symbolizes a loss of identity, freedom, and covenant relationship. Furthermore, the passage uses **Contrast** between Israel's outward religious performance ("They sacrifice flesh... and eat it") and God's inward assessment ("the LORD accepteth them not"), emphasizing the chasm between human ritual and divine acceptance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 8:13 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that God values genuine devotion and obedience over mere ritualistic performance. Israel's sacrifices, though outwardly conforming to the Law, were corrupted by their idolatry, unfaithfulness, and lack of true repentance. This passage underscores that God is not impressed by external show but demands a heart fully committed to Him, reflecting the covenant relationship He initiated. Their rejection of His covenant led to the defilement of their worship, ultimately provoking divine judgment. This serves as a timeless warning that religious activity, divorced from a sincere relationship with God and a life of righteousness, is not only futile but offensive to Him.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Psalm 51:16-17](/psalms/51-16-17 "A Broken and Contrite Heart")
* [Proverbs 21:3](/proverbs/21-3 "To Do Righteousness and Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 8:13 serves as a profound mirror for self-examination in our own spiritual lives. It challenges us to look beyond the external forms of our faith—our church attendance, our giving, our participation in rituals—and to honestly assess the condition of our hearts. Are our acts of worship and service truly offered to God out of love, obedience, and genuine devotion, or are they mere formalities, perhaps even attempts to earn favor or maintain a facade? The passage reminds us that God sees beyond the outward appearance and desires sincerity and truth in our innermost being. A faith that is merely ritualistic, devoid of a transformed heart and a life of righteousness, is ultimately unacceptable to Him and can lead to spiritual barrenness and separation. We are called to cultivate a vibrant, authentic relationship with God, ensuring that our actions flow from a heart fully submitted to His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my spiritual life might I be performing rituals or duties without genuine heart engagement?**
* **How can I ensure that my worship and service are truly acceptable to God, reflecting a sincere and devoted heart?**
* **What does "returning to Egypt" look like in a modern, spiritual sense, and how can I avoid falling back into patterns of spiritual bondage?**
* **How does my daily life reflect the sincerity of my faith, or is there a disconnect between my outward actions and inward convictions?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that "the LORD accepteth them not" when they offered sacrifices?**

Answer: This phrase signifies God's complete rejection of Israel's offerings, not because of a flaw in the ritual itself, but because of the corrupt heart and unfaithfulness of the worshippers. In ancient Israel, sacrifices were meant to be expressions of repentance, thanksgiving, and devotion, part of a covenant relationship with God. However, Israel had become deeply involved in idolatry, injustice, and political alliances that denied God's sovereignty. Their sacrifices, therefore, were performed as empty rituals, devoid of genuine faith, obedience, or a desire for true communion with God. God looks beyond the external act to the internal disposition, and when the heart is far from Him, even religious acts become an offense, as seen in [Isaiah 1:11-15](/isaiah/1-11-15 "God's Disdain for Empty Rituals").

**Why does Hosea say "they shall return to Egypt"? Did the Israelites literally go back to Egypt?**

Answer: While some Israelites might have sought refuge in Egypt during times of distress, the phrase "they shall return to Egypt" in Hosea 8:13 is primarily a powerful **symbolic** and **metaphorical** prophecy of judgment, not necessarily a literal mass migration back to Egypt. Having been miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt by God's mighty hand, this pronouncement signifies a reversal of God's redemptive work. It means they would return to a state of bondage, oppression, and spiritual darkness, akin to their former slavery. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled through the Assyrian and later Babylonian exiles, which plunged Israel into a new form of captivity and national humiliation, effectively reversing their status as a free, covenant people in their own land. It implies a loss of their unique identity and a return to the very conditions from which God had liberated them, as warned in [Deuteronomy 28:68](/deuteronomy/28-68 "The Curse of Returning to Egypt").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 8:13, with its stark portrayal of God's rejection of insincere sacrifices, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, though divinely ordained, was always provisional, pointing forward to a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that could truly atone for sin and reconcile humanity to God. Israel's failure to offer sacrifices with a pure heart demonstrated the inherent limitation of the system itself—it could not change the heart or perfect the worshipper ([Hebrews 10:1-4](/hebrews/10-1-4 "The Inadequacy of Old Covenant Sacrifices")). Jesus, as the perfect [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the spotless and acceptable sacrifice, fulfilling all the requirements of the Law and providing true expiation for sin ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through His sacrifice, we are not only forgiven but also given a new heart, enabling us to offer "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "Living Stones and Spiritual Sacrifices")). The "return to Egypt" symbolizes bondage to sin and death, a condition from which Christ liberates us, ushering us into the glorious freedom of the children of God ([Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "Freedom from Bondage")). In Christ, true worship is no longer about outward ritual but about worshipping "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "Worship in Spirit and Truth")), a worship made possible by His perfect work on the cross.

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

Hosea 9:6

For, lo, they are gone because of destruction: Egypt shall gather them up, Memphis shall bury them: the pleasant [places] for their silver, nettles shall possess them: thorns [shall be] in their tabernacles.

Hosea 9:9

They have deeply corrupted [themselves], as in the days of Gibeah: [therefore] he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.

Amos 8:7

The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.

Hosea 11:5

He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king, because they refused to return.

Amos 5:22

Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept [them]: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.

Hosea 5:6

They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD; but they shall not find [him]; he hath withdrawn himself from them.

Hosea 9:3

They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean [things] in Assyria.