King James Version

What Does Hosea 2:8 Mean?

“For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal. wine: Heb. new wine which: or, wherewith they made Baal”

Context

Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. make: Heb. wall a wall

And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.

For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal. wine: Heb. new wine which: or, wherewith they made Baal

Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness. recover: or, take away

And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand. lewdness: Heb. folly, or, villany

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) Translate in the *present* tense: *and she knows not that it is I who gave, &c.* This yearning of Jehovah over the results of his chastisements is a wonderful anticipation of Luke 15. **Corn, and wine** . . .—Corn, wine, and oil are here mentioned as the chief indigenous products of Canaan (Genesis 27:28; Deuteronomy 33:28, &c.). Gold was largely imported from Ophir (probably the west coast of India, where Tamil is spoken: Delitzsch, *Genesis,* pp. 258-9. On the other hand, Fried. Delitzsch, in his work on the *Site of Paradise,* p. 99, holds that Ophir was a coast or island between the north end of the Persian Gulf and the south-west corner of Arabia). Silver was obtained from Tarshish, through Phœnician markets. Observe that Israel at this time abounded in the possession of precious metals. (Comp. Isaiah 2:7; Wilkins, *Phœnicia and Israel,* pp. 111-116.) **Which they . . . Baal.—**They have transformed Jehovah’s gift into an image of Baal. Baal-worship was anterior to calf-worship (Judges 2, 3, 8), and was diametrically opposed to Jehovah-worship, as gross Pantheism is to pure and stern Monotheism.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hosea. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hosea 2:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.