Hosea 11:2
Hosea 11:2 in Multiple Translations
But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them: they sacrificed unto the Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
When I sent for them, then they went away from me; they made offerings to the Baals, burning perfumes to images.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed to the Baals and offered incense to idols.
They called them, but they went thus from them: they sacrificed vnto Baalim, and burnt incense to images.
They have called to them rightly, They have gone from before them, To lords they do sacrifice, And to graven images they make perfume.
They called to them, so they went from them. They sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to engraved images.
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed to Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.
As they called them, they went away from before their face: they offered victims to Baalim, and sacrificed to idols.
But while I continued to call them, they continued to turn away from me more and more. They offered sacrifices to their statues of Baal, and they burned incense to honor them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Hosea 11:2
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 11:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
קָרְא֖וּ
לָ/הֶ֑ם
כֵּ֚ן
הָלְכ֣וּ
מִ/פְּנֵי/הֶ֔ם
לַ/בְּעָלִ֣ים
יְזַבֵּ֔חוּ
וְ/לַ/פְּסִלִ֖ים
יְקַטֵּרֽוּ/ן
קָרְא֖וּ
qârâʼ
H7121
to call
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
לָ/הֶ֑ם
Prep | Suff
כֵּ֚ן
kên
H3651
right
Part
הָלְכ֣וּ
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
מִ/פְּנֵי/הֶ֔ם
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
לַ/בְּעָלִ֣ים
Baʻal
H1168
Baal
Prep | N-proper
יְזַבֵּ֔חוּ
zâbach
H2076
to sacrifice
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
וְ/לַ/פְּסִלִ֖ים
pᵉçîyl
H6456
idol
Conj | Prep | N-mp
יְקַטֵּרֽוּ/ן
qâṭar
H6999
to offer
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Hosea 11:2
קָרְא֖וּ
qârâʼ
H7121
"to call"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
לָ/הֶ֑ם
""
Prep | Suff
כֵּ֚ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
הָלְכ֣וּ
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
מִ/פְּנֵי/הֶ֔ם
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
לַ/בְּעָלִ֣ים
Baʻal
H1168
"Baal"
Prep | N-proper
Refers to the Phoenician deity Baal, mentioned in the books of Numbers and Judges as a false god.
Definition: § Baal = "lord" esp. lord, specif. as divine name, Baal supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites
Usage: Occurs in 68 OT verses. KJV: Baal, (plural) Baalim. See also: Judges 2:11; 2 Kings 10:28; Jeremiah 2:8.
יְזַבֵּ֔חוּ
zâbach
H2076
"to sacrifice"
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp
To sacrifice means to slaughter an animal, usually for a religious offering, as seen in the Bible's instructions for worship. This term is used in many contexts, including sacrifices for eating or in divine judgment. It's often translated as 'kill' or 'offer' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to slaughter, kill, sacrifice, slaughter for sacrifice 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter for sacrifice 1a2) to slaughter for eating 1a3) to slaughter in divine judgment 1b) (Piel) to sacrifice, offer sacrifice Aramaic equivalent: de.vach (דְּבַח "to sacrifice" H1684)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: kill, offer, (do) sacrifice, slay. See also: Genesis 31:54; 1 Kings 8:62; Psalms 4:6.
וְ/לַ/פְּסִלִ֖ים
pᵉçîyl
H6456
"idol"
Conj | Prep | N-mp
This Hebrew word refers to an idol or carved image, often used to describe false gods or objects of worship. It is sometimes translated as graven image or quarry, emphasizing the act of carving or shaping the idol. This concept is seen in the Bible as a form of rebellion against God.
Definition: image, idol, graven image Another spelling of pe.sel (פֶּ֫סֶל "idol" H6459)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: carved (graven) image, quarry. See also: Deuteronomy 7:5; Psalms 78:58; Isaiah 10:10.
יְקַטֵּרֽוּ/ן
qâṭar
H6999
"to offer"
V-Piel-Imperf-3mp | Suff
This word refers to the act of burning incense as an act of worship, often using a special altar. It involves turning something into a fragrant smoke, and is an important part of Old Testament rituals and sacrifices.
Definition: : burn v 1) to sacrifice, burn incense, burn sacrifices, make sacrifices smoke 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to make sacrifices smoke 1a2) to sacrifice 1b) (Pual) to smoke a sacrifice 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make sacrifices smoke 1c2) to cause incense to smoke, offer incense 1c3) to make smoke upon 1d) (Hophal) to be made to smoke
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: burn (incense, sacrifice) (upon), (altar for) incense, kindle, offer (incense, a sacrifice). See also: Exodus 29:13; 2 Kings 15:35; Isaiah 65:3.
Study Notes — Hosea 11:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Hosea 11:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Hosea 11:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 11:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 11:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 11:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 11:2
- Cambridge Bible on Hosea 11:2
- Barnes' Notes on Hosea 11:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 11:2
- Sermons on Hosea 11:2
Context — Out of Egypt I Called My Son
1When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
2But the more I called Israel, the farther they departed from Me. They sacrificed to the Baals and burned incense to carved images.
3It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms, but they never realized that it was I who healed them. 4I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 18:15 | Yet My people have forgotten Me. They burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their ways, leaving the ancient roads to walk on rutted bypaths instead of on the highway. |
| 2 | Hosea 2:13 | I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she burned incense to them, when she decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers. But Me she forgot,” declares the LORD. |
| 3 | Isaiah 65:7 | both for your iniquities and for those of your fathers,” says the LORD. “Because they burned incense on the mountains and scorned Me on the hills, I will measure into their laps full payment for their former deeds.” |
| 4 | Hosea 13:1–2 | When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal, and he died. Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!” |
| 5 | Hosea 11:7 | My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them. |
| 6 | Zechariah 7:11 | But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. |
| 7 | Judges 10:6 | And again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and Philistines. Thus they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him. |
| 8 | 1 Kings 12:33 | On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar he had set up in Bethel. So he ordained a feast for the Israelites, offered sacrifices on the altar, and burned incense. |
| 9 | Luke 13:34 | O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 29:2–4 | Moses summoned all Israel and proclaimed to them, “You have seen with your own eyes everything the LORD did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials, and to all his land. You saw with your own eyes the great trials, and those miraculous signs and wonders. Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear. |
Hosea 11:2 Summary
[This verse tells us that the more God called out to Israel, the more they turned away from Him and towards false gods, showing how easy it is to get distracted from what's truly important. It's like when we prioritize other things in our lives over our relationship with God, similar to what happened in Matthew 13:22, where the seed is choked by the cares of this world. God loves us deeply, as seen in John 3:16, and wants us to turn back to Him. By reflecting on this verse, we can see the importance of staying focused on God and not letting other things take His place in our hearts.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God called Israel and they departed from Him?
This means that even though God was actively pursuing a relationship with Israel, they chose to turn away from Him and worship other gods, as seen in Hosea 11:2, similar to what happened in Exodus 32:1 when they made a golden calf to worship.
Who are the Baals mentioned in this verse?
The Baals were false gods worshipped by the ancient nations surrounding Israel, and by Israel itself at times, as mentioned in Numbers 25:3 and Deuteronomy 12:3, showing how deeply idolatry had taken root.
What does burning incense to carved images signify?
Burning incense to carved images signifies the act of worship and reverence towards these man-made idols, a clear violation of the first commandment as stated in Exodus 20:4-5, where God commands not to make or bow down to any graven image.
How does this verse relate to God's love for Israel?
This verse highlights the depth of God's love and patience for Israel, as seen in the preceding verse, Hosea 11:1, where God says He loved Israel as a child, and the following verses that describe His care for them, showing a contrast between God's love and Israel's rebellion, much like the relationship described in Isaiah 63:7-10.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I, like Israel, turn away from God's call in my own life, and what are the consequences of such actions?
- How can I ensure that I am not sacrificing to 'Baals' in my life, such as prioritizing material possessions or personal achievements over my relationship with God?
- What does it mean for me to truly listen to God's call, as opposed to just going through the motions of religious rituals, and how can I cultivate a deeper listening heart?
- In what ways can I apply the lesson of God's patience and love, as demonstrated in this verse, to my relationships with others, especially those who may be turning away from God?
Gill's Exposition on Hosea 11:2
[As] they called them, so they went from them,.... That is, the prophets of the Lord, the true prophets, called Israel to the worship and service of God; but they turned a deaf ear to them, and their
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 11:2
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. As they called them - "they", namely, monitors sent by me.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 11:2
As they; Moses and Aaron, and other prophets, and holy, zealous judges and priests, as Samuel, &c. Called; advised, persuaded, entreated, and urged by exhortations. Them; the whole house of Israel, and among these the ten tribes, or Ephraim. So they Israelites, called and entreated, especially they of that age when the division was made, and ever since. Went from; frowardly and most disingenuously apostatized more and more, as the prophet, . Horrible ingratitude so to requite God! From them; from the prophets’ counsel and commands, delivered as they came from God. They sacrificed unto Baalim; in the desert they began this apostacy, joined themselves to Baal-peor, , and worshipped the calf, , and held on with obstinacy in it. Graven images; images of their gods, before which they performed another part of religious worship, burning incense before them.
Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 11:2
Hosea 11:2 [As] they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.Ver. 2. As they called them] i.e. As the prophets and ministers (whose names are here concealed, that the Word only may be glorified, as Acts 13:48) called to them, to come out of spiritual Egypt, out of darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they might receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among the saints, by faith that is in Christ, Acts 26:18. So they went from them] They went a contrary way, as the child Samuel, when God called him, ran to Eli; or rather as the wilful Jews, when God would have gathered them, as the hen doth her chickens, they would not. When God called his natural Son out of Egypt, he came presently, Hebrews 10:7 Psalms 40:7-8; not so his adopted sons; for they turned upon him the back, and not the face, Jeremiah 2:27, they refused to be reformed, they hated to be healed. See Hosea 7:1. Nay, to make up the full measure of their sins, and to heighten their contempt, They sacrificed unto Baalim, and burnt incense to graven images] Quasi aegre facturi Deo, as if they would despite God on purpose, and spit in his very face; commit the like villany in his presence, as the Irish rebels lately did, when they bound the husband to the bedpost, while they abused his wife before him. See the notes on Hosea 2:1-23, and almost on every chapter where their idolatry is cried out upon, and their extreme ingratitude.
Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 11:2
(2) As they (i.e., the prophets) called them, so they (Israel) went from them.—Sought to avoid the voice and presence of the men of God.
Cambridge Bible on Hosea 11:2
2. As they called them, &c.] Or, The more they called them, &c. (comp. Hosea 4:7). Since Israel disobeyed the first call by Moses, prophets were sent to repeat the call, but their preaching only seemed to increase Israel’s obstinacy (comp. Isaiah 6:9-10; Jeremiah 7:25-26). What, then, was the good of prophecy? It kept up a church within the nation, and it developed ideas which bore fruit in due time. unto Baalim, &c.] Rather, to the Baalim (see on Hosea 2:13) … to the graven images.
Barnes' Notes on Hosea 11:2
As they called them, so they went from them - The prophet changes his tone, no longer speaking of that one first call of God to Israel as a whole, whereby He brought out Israel as one man, His one son; which one call he obeyed.
Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 11:2
2. Jehovah’s love was met with bitter ingratitude. As they called — R.V., “The more the prophets called.” The prophets is not in the Hebrew, but the Revisers were correct in supplying it as the subject (compare Hosea 11:7).
Sermons on Hosea 11:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Words of Expostulation by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher begins by describing a vision of a great feast where armies have met and there has been a terrible slaughter. He relates this vision to the spiritual b |
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Rend Your Heart and Not Your Garment by Joshua Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker, Joshua Daniel, discusses the importance of facing challenges and being tested in order to grow spiritually. He references the story of Rehoboam in the |
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The Conditions by Martin Knapp | Martin Knapp emphasizes the necessity of meeting certain conditions to receive the gift of the Double Cure, which includes conversion and entire sanctification having both a God si |
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They Are Attended With a Christian Tenderness of Spirit. by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the contrast between gracious affections that soften the heart and false affections that harden it. Gracious affections lead to a Christian tenderne |
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It’s Time to Get Right With God by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for a response to God's call to get out of despair and captivity. He uses the example of Israel being captivated by their unbelief |
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Why People Backslide; the Old Adamic Nature by John R. Rice | John R. Rice shares a personal testimony of struggling with backsliding, making promises to God but repeatedly failing, until he learned the reality of having an old carnal nature |
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Pleading God's Promises by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful testimony of a pastor who struggled with addiction to pornography. The pastor realized the impact of his actions on Christ who lives w |