King James Version

What Does Hosea 4:13 Mean?

Hosea 4:13 in the King James Version says “They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.”

Hosea 4:13 · KJV

Context

11

Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

12

My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.

13

They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.

14

I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall. I will not: or, Shall I not fall: or, be punished

15

Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Mountain shrine immorality: 'They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.' High place worship (בָּמוֹת, bamot), condemned throughout Scripture, combined false worship with immorality. The pleasant shade under trees provided setting for ritual prostitution. The ironic reversal: fathers' false worship produces daughters' prostitution, husbands' idolatry results in wives' adultery. Sin begets sin generationally. The phrase 'because the shadow thereof is good' (כִּי־טוֹב צִלָּהּ, ki-tov tsillah) suggests seeking comfort/pleasure in wrong places. Worship must be where God ordains (Deuteronomy 12:2-7), not where humans prefer. Christ fulfills this: true worshipers worship in Spirit and truth, not at particular locations (John 4:21-24).

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Historical & Cultural Context

High places (elevated worship sites) were central to Canaanite Baal worship. Though sometimes initially legitimate (pre-temple Israelite worship occurred at high places), they became associated with syncretism and paganism. The specific trees mentioned—oak (אֵלָה, elah), poplar (לִבְנֶה, livneh), elm/terebinth (אֵלוֹן, elon)—were sacred in Canaanite religion. Archaeological evidence shows these sites throughout ancient Israel, often with Asherah poles and standing stones. The connection between parents' false worship and children's immorality reflects covenant curse patterns: generational consequences of covenant breach (Exodus 20:5). Yet God's promise is greater mercy to those who love Him to thousands of generations (Exodus 20:6).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do parents' spiritual choices and priorities affect their children's moral formation for good or ill?
  2. What does 'because the shadow thereof is good' reveal about choosing worship based on personal preference rather than God's revealed will?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
עַל1 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רָאשֵׁ֨י2 of 20

“upon the tops”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הֶהָרִ֜ים3 of 20

“of the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

יְזַבֵּ֗חוּ4 of 20

“They sacrifice”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

וְעַל5 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַגְּבָעוֹת֙6 of 20

“upon the hills”

H1389

a hillock

יְקַטֵּ֔רוּ7 of 20

“and burn incense”

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

תַּ֣חַת8 of 20
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

אַלּ֧וֹן9 of 20

“under oaks”

H437

oak tree

וְלִבְנֶ֛ה10 of 20

“and poplars”

H3839

some sort of whitish tree, perhaps the storax

וְאֵלָ֖ה11 of 20

“and elms”

H424

an oak or other strong tree

כִּ֣י12 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

ט֣וֹב13 of 20

“thereof is good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

צִלָּ֑הּ14 of 20

“because the shadow”

H6738

shade, whether literal or figurative

עַל15 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֗ן16 of 20
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

תִּזְנֶ֙ינָה֙17 of 20

“shall commit whoredom”

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

בְּנ֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם18 of 20

“therefore your daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְכַלּוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם19 of 20

“and your spouses”

H3618

a bride (as if perfect); hence, a son's wife

תְּנָאַֽפְנָה׃20 of 20

“shall commit adultery”

H5003

to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize

Study Guide

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 4:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hosea 4:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 3:6Isaiah 1:29Ezekiel 6:13Amos 7:17Jeremiah 3:13Ezekiel 16:25

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