Hosea 8:5

KJV

Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast [thee] off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long [will it be] ere they attain to innocency?

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy calf {H5695}, O Samaria {H8111}, hath cast {H2186} thee off; mine anger {H639} is kindled {H2734} against them: how long will it be ere {H3808} they attain {H3201} to innocency {H5356}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Your calf, Shomron, has been thrown away; my fury burns against them. How long will it be until they are able to make themselves clean?

Berean Standard Bible

He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence?

American Standard Version

He hath cast off thy calf, O Samaria; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 8:5 delivers a scathing divine indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly its capital, Samaria, for its pervasive and persistent idolatry. The verse powerfully conveys God's righteous anger and profound frustration over their spiritual infidelity, while simultaneously expressing His deep longing for His people to abandon their false worship and return to a state of moral and spiritual purity before Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 8 continues the prophet's relentless condemnation of Israel's apostasy, building upon earlier chapters that vividly portray the nation's unfaithfulness as spiritual adultery against Yahweh, their covenant husband. Chapters 7 and 8 specifically focus on Israel's political instability, reliance on foreign alliances, and most prominently, their widespread idolatry. This verse, [Hosea 8:5](/hosea/8-5 "Hosea 8:5 - Samaria's Idolatry"), directly addresses the golden calves, which were central to the Northern Kingdom's religious deviation from the worship of the true God. The preceding verses in [Hosea 8](/hosea/8 "Hosea 8 - Israel's Rebellion and Idolatry") lament Israel's broken covenant, their setting up of kings without God's approval, and their silver and gold being used to make idols, culminating in the specific denunciation of the calf in Samaria. The immediate verses following [Hosea 8:6-7](/hosea/8-6-7 "Hosea 8:6-7 - The Calf and the Whirlwind") further elaborate on the folly and destructive consequences of this idolatry, predicting a harvest of wind and whirlwind for their sowing of the wind.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Hosea ministered during the tumultuous final decades of the Northern Kingdom (Israel/Ephraim), roughly from 750-715 BC, leading up to its fall to Assyria in 722 BC. This period was marked by political instability, assassinations of kings, and a desperate, often contradictory, foreign policy oscillating between alliances with Assyria and Egypt. Spiritually, the nation had long abandoned the Mosaic covenant, embracing syncretistic worship that blended Yahwism with Canaanite Baal worship and, significantly, the calf cult introduced by King Jeroboam I centuries earlier ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28-30 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). These golden calves, located at Bethel and Dan, were ostensibly intended to represent Yahweh, but they quickly became objects of idolatry, replacing the legitimate worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. Samaria, as the capital city, became a focal point and symbol of this national apostasy, embodying the spiritual corruption and rebellion that permeated the entire kingdom. The cultural norm of the surrounding pagan nations involved polytheism and idol worship, which Israel tragically adopted.
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 8:5 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Hosea. First, it powerfully illustrates the **Futility and Destructiveness of Idolatry**. The calf, far from being a source of strength or salvation, is depicted as having "cast off" its worshippers, underscoring its impotence and the ultimate self-destruction inherent in false worship. This theme is central to Hosea's message, as seen in [Hosea 13:2-3](/hosea/13-2-3 "Hosea 13:2-3 - The Folly of Idolatry"). Second, the verse highlights **God's Righteous Anger and Jealousy** against His people's spiritual infidelity. Yahweh, as the covenant God, demands exclusive devotion, and their betrayal kindles His holy wrath, a theme echoed throughout the prophetic literature, such as in [Nahum 1:2-3](/nahum/1-2-3 "Nahum 1:2-3 - God's Jealousy and Vengeance"). Finally, the rhetorical question "how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?" reveals God's profound **Sorrow, Patience, and Enduring Desire for Repentance and Purity**. Despite His anger, God longs for His people to turn back to Him, to shed their guilt and return to a state of blamelessness, a persistent call for restoration found in passages like [Hosea 6:1-3](/hosea/6-1-3 "Hosea 6:1-3 - A Call to Return to the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Calf (Hebrew, _ʻêgel'_):** From H5695, meaning a (male) calf, especially one nearly grown, a steer or bullock. In this context, it specifically refers to the golden calves set up by Jeroboam I at Bethel and Dan, which became central symbols and objects of Israel's idolatrous worship. The term emphasizes the physical representation of their false god, highlighting its animalistic and created nature, in stark contrast to the transcendent, uncreated God of Israel.
* **Cast off (Hebrew, _zânach'_):** From H2186, a primitive root meaning to push aside, reject, forsake, or fail; to cast away (off) or remove far away (off). This verb is highly significant here. It can imply that the idol itself is broken or abandoned, proving its uselessness. More profoundly, it suggests that the very object of their worship has "rejected" or "failed" them, demonstrating its inability to protect or deliver. It underscores the futility and self-defeating nature of idolatry: the idol cannot help, and in fact, it leads to the worshippers' downfall and abandonment by the true God.
* **Innocency (Hebrew, _niqqâyôwn'_):** From H5356, meaning clearness (literally or figuratively), cleanness, or innocency. This word signifies a state of blamelessness, purity, or freedom from guilt. It represents the spiritual condition God desires for His people—a state of moral and spiritual integrity, unblemished by the defilement of idolatry and sin. The rhetorical question "how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?" expresses God's exasperation over their prolonged state of impurity and His longing for their return to a right standing with Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast [thee] off":** This opening clause is a powerful and ironic indictment. "Thy calf" directly refers to the golden calf idol, specifically associated with Samaria as the capital and symbol of the Northern Kingdom's apostasy. The phrase "hath cast [thee] off" is a striking personification. Instead of Samaria casting off its idol, or God casting off Samaria for its idol, the idol itself is depicted as rejecting or failing its worshippers. This emphasizes the utter impotence and worthlessness of the idol, which cannot save or protect, and ultimately leads to the downfall and abandonment of those who trust in it. It highlights the self-destructive nature of idolatry.
* **"mine anger is kindled against them":** This declarative statement reveals God's righteous indignation. The phrase "mine anger is kindled" (from the Hebrew _chârâh_ and _ʼaph_) signifies a burning, intense wrath, a holy displeasure that is a just response to Israel's persistent rebellion, spiritual adultery, and covenant infidelity. This is not arbitrary rage, but the measured, righteous anger of a faithful God whose love has been spurned and whose covenant has been broken by His chosen people.
* **"how long [will it be] ere they attain to innocency?":** This rhetorical question expresses God's deep sorrow, exasperation, and enduring patience, yet also His profound frustration. The phrase "ere they attain to innocency" (from _lôʼ yâkôl niqqâyôwn_) literally means "not able to attain cleanness" or "not able to achieve innocency." The question, therefore, laments their prolonged inability or unwillingness to turn from their sin and return to a state of spiritual purity and blamelessness before Him. It underscores God's persistent desire for their repentance and restoration, even in the face of His burning anger.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 8:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Personification** is evident in the phrase "Thy calf... hath cast [thee] off," attributing the human action of "casting off" or rejecting to an inanimate idol. This vividly portrays the idol's ultimate uselessness and its inability to provide the protection or blessing its worshippers sought, ironically becoming a source of their abandonment. **Metonymy** is present in "O Samaria," where the capital city stands in for the entire Northern Kingdom of Israel, signifying its role as the epicenter of their national apostasy. The "calf" itself functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing the entire system of idolatry and false worship that plagued Israel. Finally, the verse concludes with a poignant **Rhetorical Question**: "how long [will it be] ere they attain to innocency?" This question is not seeking an answer but expresses God's deep anguish, exasperation, and longing for His people's repentance, emphasizing the prolonged and stubborn nature of their sin. The phrase "mine anger is kindled" also contains an element of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotion (anger) and action (kindling) to God to make His divine displeasure comprehensible.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 8:5 powerfully articulates the severity of idolatry in God's eyes, revealing it not merely as a minor transgression but as a profound act of spiritual infidelity that provokes divine wrath. It underscores the covenantal relationship between Yahweh and Israel, where exclusive devotion was paramount. The "calf" represents any created thing or human endeavor elevated to the status of God, demonstrating that such false objects of worship inevitably fail their adherents and lead to divine judgment. Yet, amidst this judgment, God's enduring desire for His people's purity and repentance shines through, highlighting His patience and longing for reconciliation, even as His anger burns. This tension between divine wrath and divine yearning for restoration is a hallmark of prophetic literature.

* [Exodus 20:3-5](/exodus/20-3-5 "Exodus 20:3-5 - The First Commandments")
* [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalms/115-4-8 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Impotence of Idols")
* [Isaiah 1:16-18](/isaiah/1-16-18 "Isaiah 1:16-18 - God's Call to Repentance and Cleansing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 8:5 serves as a timeless mirror for self-examination, challenging us to identify and dismantle any "calves" in our own lives—anything we elevate to a position of ultimate trust, devotion, or security apart from God. This could manifest as an addiction to material possessions, an insatiable pursuit of power or status, an overreliance on human wisdom, or even an unhealthy obsession with self-image and personal comfort. The verse reminds us that such idols, whether tangible or intangible, are ultimately impotent; they cannot truly satisfy, protect, or deliver, and indeed, they will ultimately "cast us off," leading to disappointment, emptiness, and separation from God's favor. God's "kindled anger" against idolatry is a sober warning that His holy character demands exclusive worship. Yet, His rhetorical question, "how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?", is a profound expression of His enduring patience and His deep desire for our repentance and spiritual purity. It is a call to continually examine our hearts, confess our misplaced loyalties, and return to wholehearted devotion to the one true God, seeking His cleansing and embracing the true freedom found in His exclusive worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "calves" or idols, whether obvious or subtle, might I be elevating in my own life, trusting in them more than in God?**
* **How does God's "kindled anger" against idolatry inform my understanding of His holiness and His demand for exclusive devotion?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to "attain to innocency," turning from sin and embracing a deeper purity before God?**

### FAQ
**What does "Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast [te] off" mean?**

Answer: This phrase is a powerful indictment and a striking piece of irony. The "calf" refers to the golden calves set up by King Jeroboam I at Bethel and Dan, which became central to the Northern Kingdom's idolatrous worship, particularly in Samaria, its capital. The phrase "hath cast [thee] off" means that the idol itself, which the people trusted for protection and prosperity, has ironically rejected them or proven utterly useless and impotent. It highlights the futility of idolatry: the object of their worship is incapable of helping them and ultimately contributes to their downfall and abandonment by the true God. It signifies the self-destructive nature of relying on false gods, as seen in the broader context of [Hosea 8](/hosea/8 "Hosea 8 - Israel's Rebellion").

**Why is God's anger "kindled" against them, and what does "innocency" refer to?**

Answer: God's anger is "kindled" because Israel's idolatry was a direct violation of their covenant with Him, a profound act of spiritual adultery against the God who had redeemed them from slavery. Their worship of false gods was an affront to His holiness and an act of betrayal. This righteous anger is a just response to their persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness, as detailed throughout the book of [Hosea](/hosea "The Book of Hosea"). "Innocency" (Hebrew _niqqâyôwn_) refers to a state of moral and spiritual purity, blamelessness, or freedom from guilt. God's rhetorical question, "how long [will it be] ere they attain to innocency?" expresses His exasperation and deep sorrow over their stubborn refusal to repent and return to a right relationship with Him, longing for them to be cleansed from the defilement of their sin and idolatry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 8:5, with its stark portrayal of Israel's idolatry and God's longing for their "innocency," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The golden calf, representing all false objects of worship, is utterly superseded by Jesus Christ, who is the true and living God, worthy of all worship and devotion. Where Israel's calf "cast them off" and led to divine wrath, Christ, the true Lamb of God, was "cast off" and bore the wrath of God on the cross, not for His own sin, but for ours ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant")). The "innocency" that Israel struggled to attain through their own efforts and rituals is freely granted to believers through Christ's perfect sacrifice. He became sin for us, "so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Through His shed blood, we are truly cleansed from guilt and defilement, achieving a purity and blamelessness that was impossible under the old covenant ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). Thus, the long-suffering question of God in Hosea finds its ultimate answer in the person and work of Jesus, who enables His people to "attain to innocency" and live in true, unadulterated worship of the One who is worthy ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - Worthy is the Lamb")).

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 10:5

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof [that] rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

Jeremiah 13:27

I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, [and] thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when [shall it] once [be]?

Proverbs 1:22

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Isaiah 45:20

¶ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye [that are] escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god [that] cannot save.

2 Kings 17:21

For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin.

2 Kings 17:23

Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.

2 Kings 17:16

And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, [even] two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.