Hosea 10:8

Hosea 10:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The high places of Aven will be destroyed— it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”

King James Version KJV

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.

American Standard Version ASV

Bible in Basic English BBE

And the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel, will come to destruction; thorns and waste plants will come up on their altars; they will say to the mountains, Be a cover over us; and to the hills, Come down on us.

Free Bible Version FBV

The high places of Aven, where Israel sinned, will be demolished, and thorns and thistles will grow over their altars. Then they will call to the mountains, “Bury us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

The hie places also of Auen shall be destroied, euen the sinne of Israel: the thorne and the thistle shall growe vpon their altars, and they shall say to the mountaines, Couer vs, and to the hils, Fall vpon vs.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And destroyed have been high places of Aven, the sin of Israel. Thorn and bramble go up on their altars, And they have said to hills, Cover us, And to heights, Fall upon us.

World English Bible WEB

The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, will be destroyed. The thorn and the thistle will come up on their altars. They will tell the mountains, “Cover us!” and the hills, “Fall on us!”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the high places of the idol, the sin of Israel shall be destroyed: the bur and the thistle shall grow up over their altars: and they shall say to the mountains: Cover us; and to the hills: Fall upon us.

Translation for Translators T4T

The altars on the tops of hills where the people worshiped idols will be destroyed; those have been the places where the people of Israel sinned greatly. Thorns and weeds will grow and cover those altars. Then the people will plead to the mountains and hills, ‘Fall down and cover us to protect us from God punishing us!’

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Berean Amplified Bible — Hosea 10:8

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Hosea 10:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/נִשְׁמְד֞וּ בָּמ֣וֹת אָ֗וֶן חַטַּאת֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל ק֣וֹץ וְ/דַרְדַּ֔ר יַעֲלֶ֖ה עַל מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֑/ם וְ/אָמְר֤וּ לֶֽ/הָרִים֙ כַּסּ֔וּ/נוּ וְ/לַ/גְּבָע֖וֹת נִפְל֥וּ עָלֵֽי/נוּ

וְ/נִשְׁמְד֞וּ shâmad H8045 to destroy Conj | V-Niphal-3cp

בָּמ֣וֹת bâmâh H1116 high place N-fp

אָ֗וֶן ʼâven H205 evil N-ms

חַטַּאת֙ chaṭṭâʼâh H2403 sin N-fs

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper

ק֣וֹץ qôwts H6975 thorn N-ms

וְ/דַרְדַּ֔ר dardar H1863 thistle Conj | N-ms

יַעֲלֶ֖ה ʻâlâh H5927 to ascend V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֑/ם mizbêach H4196 altar N-mp | Suff

וְ/אָמְר֤וּ ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-3cp

לֶֽ/הָרִים֙ har H2022 mountain Prep | N-mp

כַּסּ֔וּ/נוּ kâçâh H3680 to cover V-Piel-Impv-2mp | Suff

וְ/לַ/גְּבָע֖וֹת gibʻâh H1389 Gibeat Conj | Prep | N-fp

נִפְל֥וּ nâphal H5307 to fall V-Qal-Impv-2mp

עָלֵֽי/נוּ ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Hosea 10:8

וְ/נִשְׁמְד֞וּ shâmad H8045 "to destroy" Conj | V-Niphal-3cp

The Hebrew word shâmad means to destroy or desolate something, used to describe annihilation or devastation. It is used in the Bible to describe the destruction of cities or nations, such as in the book of Isaiah.

Definition: 1) to destroy, exterminate, be destroyed, be exterminated 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be annihilated, be exterminated 1a2) to be destroyed, be devastated 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to annihilate, exterminate 1b2) to destroy Aramaic equivalent: she.mad (שְׁמַד "to destroy" H8046)

Usage: Occurs in 86 OT verses. KJV: destory(-uction), bring to nought, overthrow, perish, pluck down, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:30; 2 Samuel 22:38; Psalms 37:38.

בָּמ֣וֹת bâmâh H1116 "high place" N-fp

A high place or elevation, often referring to a cultic platform or mountain. In the Bible, it can also refer to battlefields or funeral mounds, as seen in various passages.

Definition: 1) high place, ridge, height, bamah (technical name for cultic platform) 1a) high place, mountain 1b) high places, battlefields 1c) high places (as places of worship) 1d) funeral mound?

Usage: Occurs in 92 OT verses. KJV: height, high place, wave. See also: Leviticus 26:30; 1 Chronicles 16:39; Psalms 18:34.

אָ֗וֶן ʼâven H205 "evil" N-ms

This word refers to evil, wickedness, or trouble, often describing idolatry or iniquity, and is used in various KJV translations to convey a sense of wrongdoing.

Definition: 1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow 1a) trouble, sorrow 1b) idolatry 1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)

Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare H369 (אַיִן). See also: Numbers 23:21; Psalms 94:23; Psalms 5:6.

חַטַּאת֙ chaṭṭâʼâh H2403 "sin" N-fs

This word describes sin, guilt, or punishment for sin, and also the sacrifice or purification made to atone for it. It is used in the Bible to describe the consequences and solutions for sin. The KJV translates it as 'punishment' or 'sin'.

Definition: sin, sinful thing

Usage: Occurs in 270 OT verses. KJV: punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering). See also: Genesis 4:7; Numbers 12:11; Psalms 25:7.

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper

Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.

Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile

Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

ק֣וֹץ qôwts H6975 "thorn" N-ms

This Hebrew word simply means a thorn, like the thorns that grew in the ground after Adam and Eve sinned in Genesis 3:18. It can also refer to a thornbush, as in Judges 9:14.

Definition: 1) thorn, thornbush 1a) thornbush 1b) thorn

Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: thorn. See also: Genesis 3:18; Isaiah 32:13; Psalms 118:12.

וְ/דַרְדַּ֔ר dardar H1863 "thistle" Conj | N-ms

This Hebrew word refers to a thorny plant, like a thistle. In the Bible, it is used to describe weeds or prickly growths that can be harmful or unwanted. The word is often translated as thistle or thorn.

Definition: thistles, thorns

Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: thistle. See also: Genesis 3:18; Hosea 10:8.

יַעֲלֶ֖ה ʻâlâh H5927 "to ascend" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.

Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself

Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֑/ם mizbêach H4196 "altar" N-mp | Suff

An altar is a place of sacrifice, where offerings are made to God, as seen in the Bible's description of the tabernacle and temple. It was a central part of Israel's worship. The altar played a key role in the priestly rituals.

Definition: altar

Usage: Occurs in 338 OT verses. KJV: altar. See also: Genesis 8:20; Leviticus 7:2; 1 Kings 2:28.

וְ/אָמְר֤וּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-3cp

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

לֶֽ/הָרִים֙ har H2022 "mountain" Prep | N-mp

A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.

Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount

Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.

כַּסּ֔וּ/נוּ kâçâh H3680 "to cover" V-Piel-Impv-2mp | Suff

To cover something means to fill up hollows or hide something from view, as seen in many biblical stories. This verb is used in various forms throughout the Bible, such as to cover oneself with clothing or to conceal something for protection. It can also mean to overwhelm or spread over something.

Definition: 1) to cover, conceal, hide 1a) (Qal) conceal, covered (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be covered 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cover, clothe 1c2) to cover, conceal 1c3) to cover (for protection) 1c4) to cover over, spread over 1c5) to cover, overwhelm 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be covered 1d2) to be clothed 1e) (Hithpael) to cover oneself, clothe oneself

Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare H3780 (כָּשָׂה). See also: Genesis 7:19; Psalms 32:1; Psalms 32:5.

וְ/לַ/גְּבָע֖וֹת gibʻâh H1389 "Gibeat" Conj | Prep | N-fp

Gibeat refers to a small hill, with the name meaning hill, and is another spelling of Gibeah. It appears in various KJV translations as hill or little hill.

Definition: This name means hill Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)

Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: hill, little hill. See also: Genesis 49:26; Isaiah 30:17; Psalms 65:13.

נִפְל֥וּ nâphal H5307 "to fall" V-Qal-Impv-2mp

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.

Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall

Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.

עָלֵֽי/נוּ ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Study Notes — Hosea 10:8

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Hosea 10:8 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Hosea 10:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 10:8
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 10:8
Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 10:8
Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 10:8
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 10:8
Cambridge Bible on Hosea 10:8
Barnes' Notes on Hosea 10:8
Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 10:8
Sermons on Hosea 10:8

Context — Retribution for Israel’s Sin

6Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king. Ephraim will be seized with shame; Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols. 7Samaria will be carried off with her king like a twig on the surface of the water.

8The high places of Aven will be destroyed— it is the sin of Israel; thorns and thistles will overgrow their altars. Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”

9Since the days of Gibeah you have sinned, O Israel, and there you have remained. Did not the battle in Gibeah overtake the sons of iniquity? 10I will chasten them when I please; nations will be gathered against them to put them in bondage for their double transgression.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Luke 23:30	At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’
2	Revelation 6:16	And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.
3	Isaiah 2:19	Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.
4	1 Kings 12:28–30	After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves.
5	Amos 8:14	Those who swear by the guilt of Samaria and say, ‘As surely as your god lives, O Dan,’ or, ‘As surely as the way of Beersheba lives’— they will fall, never to rise again.”
6	Isaiah 32:13	and for the land of my people, overgrown with thorns and briers— even for every house of merriment in this city of revelry.
7	Hosea 9:6	For even if they flee destruction, Egypt will gather them and Memphis will bury them. Their precious silver will be taken over by thistles, and thorns will overrun their tents.
8	Deuteronomy 9:21	And I took that sinful thing, the calf you had made, and burned it in the fire. Then I crushed it and ground it to powder as fine as dust, and I cast it into the stream that came down from the mountain.
9	2 Chronicles 34:5–7	Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. Josiah did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them. He tore down the altars and Asherah poles, crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.
10	Hosea 10:2	Their hearts are devious; now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will break down their altars and demolish their sacred pillars.

Hosea 10:8 Summary

[This verse is talking about how God will judge the people of Israel for their sin of worshiping false gods at the high places of Aven. As a result, these places will be destroyed and become overgrown with thorns and thistles, which is a sign of God's curse (see Genesis 3:18). The people will be so afraid of God's judgment that they will cry out for the mountains to cover them, which shows how desperate they are to escape God's wrath (similar to Revelation 6:16-17). This verse reminds us that our sins have consequences, and we must turn to God in repentance, as seen in 1 John 1:9, where it says that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'the high places of Aven' refer to in Hosea 10:8?

The high places of Aven were likely idolatrous worship sites in Israel, where the people would offer sacrifices to false gods, which is considered a sin according to Deuteronomy 12:2-3 and Jeremiah 32:35.

Why will thorns and thistles overgrow the altars in Hosea 10:8?

The overgrowth of thorns and thistles symbolizes the desolation and abandonment of the idolatrous worship sites, similar to the curse described in Genesis 3:18, where thorns and thistles are a result of sin.

What does the phrase 'Cover us' and 'Fall on us' mean in this context?

The people are crying out for the mountains and hills to cover and fall on them, which is a desperate plea for escape from God's judgment, similar to the response of the people in Revelation 6:16-17, who try to hide from God's wrath.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible's message?

This verse is part of the larger theme of God's judgment on sin and idolatry, which is seen throughout the Bible, such as in Isaiah 2:10-21 and Romans 1:18-25, where God's wrath is poured out on those who reject Him.

Reflection Questions

What are some modern-day 'high places' in my life where I may be worshiping idols or prioritizing things above God?
How can I ensure that my heart is not divided between God and other loves, as the Israelites' hearts were in Hosea 10:8?
In what ways can I be more mindful of the sin in my life and its consequences, as described in this verse?
What does it mean for me to truly repent and turn away from my sins, as the Israelites should have done according to Hosea 10:8?

Gill's Exposition on Hosea 10:8

The high places also of Aven,.... Bethel, which is not only as before called Bethaven, the house of iniquity; but Aven, iniquity itself; the high places of it were the temple and altars built there

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 10:8

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 10:8

The high places; the temples and altars of Baal and other idols. Aven, for Beth-aven, say most interpreters: what if. Aven, vanity, folly, be here put for all idol worship and rites, which was notoriously the sin of Israel? Shall be destroyed; utterly overthrown; and lie so long waste and desolate, that thorns and thistles shall spring up out of the places where their altars once stood within their stately temples. When this shall be brought to pass, the idolatrous Israelites shall be in such perplexity, that they shall wish the mountains and hills might fall on them, and bury them alive, that they might escape the troubles that they did foresee were coming upon them; or it may be an upbraiding them for praying to lifeless stocks or statues, and telling them in their distress, and when their gods are gone, and cannot help, they should cry to deaf mountains to cover them.

Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 10:8

Hosea 10:8 The high places also of Aven, the sin of Israel, shall be destroyed: the thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars; and they shall say to the mountains, Cover us; and to the hills, Fall on us.Ver. 8. The high places also of Aven, &c.] Sept. the altars, ab Alto dicta ( αξεϊ whence Bωμοι). Of Aven, for Bethaven (whereof before), a place so hateful now, that God loathes at large to mention it; he even cuts off the head of it, as he had threatened to do by the altars, Hosea 10:2. So Jeconiah degenerating is Coniah, &c. The sin of Israel] That damning sin of idolatry here committed, that wickedness with a witness, which makes God abhor places as well as persons, and turns them into sin as it were. "What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem," Micah 1:5. Shall be destroyed] Thus, man’ s sin brings destruction upon the creatures. It is as poison in a glass, that causeth the glass to be broken, and cast upon the dunghill. The vessels that held the sin offering, if made of earth, they were to be broken; if of brass, or other metals, to be purged with fire; as one day the earth and visible heavens also shall be for the defilement that man’ s sin hath set upon them. The thorn and the thistle shall come upon their altars] There shall be nil nisi solitude in terris, aegritudo in animis, &c. They shall say to the mountains, Cover us] This they shall say out of the sense and terror of God’ s just judgments driving them to desperation. - tellus prius ima dehiseat, &c. Aristides commendeth Themistocles for this, that he never was so perplexed by any evil occurrence as to wish that the earth would swallow him up quick, or to pronounce the dead happy. Rivet well observeth here that Judea, as it was full of hills and rocks, so they were wont to dig themselves therein caves and dens, wherein to hide in time of danger. To these David often repaired, and so secured himself from Saul. And to these he alludeth when he calleth God his rock, Psalms 18:2, and the rock of his refuge, Psalms 94:22. And of these places of security Josephus writeth, describing the form of them (Antiq. 1. 14, cap. 26; B. J. i. 26).

Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 10:8

(8) Aven.—On Beth-Aven, see Note on Hosea 4:15. The “thorn and thistle” are part of the first curse upon apostate Adam (Genesis 3:18), and the prophet not only predicts utter ruin for king and calf, temple and shrine, but the future desolation which should conceal all. Meanwhile, the people shall desire death rather than life. The awful words in the latter part of this verse are used by our Lord concerning the terrors of the impenitent in the fall of Jerusalem (Luke 23:30), and twice by St. John (Revelation 6:16; Revelation 9:6), to denote the extremity of despair.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 10:8

Verse 8. The high-places] Idol temples. Of Aven] Beth-aven. The thorn and the thistle shall come up on their altars] Owing to the uncultivated and unfrequented state of the land, and of their places of idol worship, the people being all carried away into captivity. "And they shall say to the mountains, Cover us, And to the hills, Fall on us." "This sublime description of fear and distress our Lord had in view, Lu 23:30, which may be a reference, and not a quotation. However, the Septuagint, in the Codex Alexandrinus, has the same order of words as occurs in the evangelist. The parallelism makes the passages more beautiful than Revelation 6:16; and Isaiah 2:19 wants the animated dramatic form. That there is a reference to the caverns that abounded in the mountainous countries of Palestine, See Clarke on Isaiah 2:19." -Newcome.

Cambridge Bible on Hosea 10:8

8. The high places also of Aven] Perhaps the same as Beth-aven, i.e. Bethel (Hosea 4:15, Hosea 10:5). But ‘the high places of idolatry’ (as Aben Ezra) is an equally admissible rendering of the phrase; all the local sanctuaries of the steer-god will then be referred to. The term ‘high place’ includes both the mound and the shrine and altar erected upon it. they shall say …] Applied proverbially by our Lord (Luke 23:30) and by St John (Revelation 6:16; Revelation 9:6).

Barnes' Notes on Hosea 10:8

The high places of Aven - that is, of vanity or iniquity. He had before called “Bethel, house of God,” by the name of “Bethaven, house of vanity;” now he calls it “Aven, vanity” or “iniquity,” as

Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 10:8

6. The calf itself will be carried to Assyria for a present — Not a present to secure help (Hosea 7:11; Hosea 12:1), though LXX.

Sermons on Hosea 10:8

	Sermon	Description
	"Can God Forgive Me?" by Leonard Ravenhill	This sermon emphasizes the unfathomable mercy and forgiveness of God, highlighting a powerful encounter with a soldier haunted by his past sins and seeking redemption. It explores
	The Spirit and the Bride Say Come by R.G. Lee	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the urgency of accepting Jesus Christ as one's Savior. He warns that if someone were to die without accepting Christ, they would be consider
	What Is Real Christianity? by Paul Washer	In this sermon, the preacher passionately delivers the gospel of Jesus Christ, urging the listeners to repent and turn to God. He emphasizes the fallen nature of humanity, using ex
	Priests Unto Him by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of true consecration and sacrifice to God. He describes the image of priests who are completely spent and exhausted, so immers
	K-036 the Holocaust and Christian Conscience by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker shares his burden for repentance and the absence of this message in modern evangelism. He emphasizes the need for Christians to understand their respons
	(Revelation) Revelation 6:1-17 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the four instruments that God uses as weapons of warfare: sword, famine, disease, and wild beasts. He references Revelation 6:7-8 and Ezekiel
	Opening of the Seals by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the opening of the fourth seal in the book of Revelation. The fourth seal reveals a pale horse, symbolizing death, and hell follows with it.