Hosea 10:5

Hosea 10:5 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn with its idolatrous priests— those who rejoiced in its glory— for it has been taken from them into exile.

King James Version KJV

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: 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.

American Standard Version ASV

The inhabitants of Samaria shall be in terror for the calves of Beth-aven; for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced over it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The people of Samaria will be full of fear because of the ox of Beth-aven; its people will have sorrow for it, and its priests will give cries of grief for its glory, for the glory has gone in flight.

Free Bible Version FBV

Those who live in Samaria tremble in awe at the calf of Beth-aven. Its people mourn for it in their pagan rituals, while its idolatrous priests celebrate its glory. But it will certainly be taken away from them. It will be brought to Assyria as tribute for the great king.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

The inhabitants of Samaria shall feare because of the calfe of Beth-auen: for the people thereof shall mourne ouer it, and the Chemarims thereof, that reioyced on it for the glorie thereof, because it is departed from it.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

For the calves of Beth-Aven fear do inhabitants of Samaria, Surely mourned on account of it hath its people, And its priests on account of it leap about, Because of its honour, for it hath removed from it,

World English Bible WEB

The inhabitants of Samaria will be in terror for the calves of Beth Aven, for its people will mourn over it, along with its priests who rejoiced over it, for its glory, because it has departed from it.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven: for its people shall mourn over it, and its priests that rejoiced on it, for its glory, because it is departed from it.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

The inhabitants of Samaria have worshipped the king of Bethaven: for the people thereof have mourned over it, and the wardens of its temple that rejoiced over it in its glory because it is departed from it.

Translation for Translators T4T

The people who live in Samaria city are worried about what may happen to the idol that resembles a calf that they set up at Beth-Aven town. The people in Samaria will mourn, and the priests there will cry about it if it is damaged or destroyed. Previously they shouted joyfully about its being very great; but now it will not be great any more.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Hosea 10:5

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 10:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB לְ/עֶגְלוֹת֙ בֵּ֣ית אָ֔וֶן יָג֖וּרוּ שְׁכַ֣ן שֹֽׁמְר֑וֹן כִּי אָבַ֨ל עָלָ֜י/ו עַמּ֗/וֹ וּ/כְמָרָי/ו֙ עָלָ֣י/ו יָגִ֔ילוּ עַל כְּבוֹד֖/וֹ כִּֽי גָלָ֥ה מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ

לְ/עֶגְלוֹת֙ ʻeglâh H5697 heifer Prep | N-fp

בֵּ֣ית Bêyth ʼÂven H1007 Beth-aven N-proper

אָ֔וֶן Bêyth ʼÂven H1007 Beth-aven N-proper

יָג֖וּרוּ gûwr H1481 to sojourn V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

שְׁכַ֣ן shâkên H7934 neighboring Adj

שֹֽׁמְר֑וֹן Shômᵉrôwn H8111 Samaria N-proper

כִּי kîy H3588 for Conj

אָבַ֨ל ʼâbal H56 to mourn V-Qal-Perf-3ms

עָלָ֜י/ו ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

עַמּ֗/וֹ ʻam H5971 Amaw N-ms | Suff

וּ/כְמָרָי/ו֙ kâmâr H3649 pagan priest Conj | N-mp | Suff

עָלָ֣י/ו ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

יָגִ֔ילוּ gîyl H1523 to rejoice V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

כְּבוֹד֖/וֹ kâbôwd H3519 glory N-cs | Suff

כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj

גָלָ֥ה gâlâh H1540 to reveal V-Qal-Perf-3ms

מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ min H4480 from Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Hosea 10:5

לְ/עֶגְלוֹת֙ ʻeglâh H5697 "heifer" Prep | N-fp

This word refers to a young female calf, nearly grown into a heifer. It is also the name of a place near Zoar and south of Moab. The word is often translated as 'calf', 'cow', or 'heifer'.

Definition: heifer

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: calf, cow, heifer. See also: Genesis 15:9; Isaiah 7:21; Isaiah 15:5.

בֵּ֣ית Bêyth ʼÂven H1007 "Beth-aven" N-proper

Beth-aven, meaning house of vanity, is a city east of Bethel in Palestine. It is mentioned in the Bible as a place of idolatry and sin, where the Israelites worshipped false gods. The name Beth-aven reflects the city's reputation for vanity and wickedness.

Definition: § Beth-aven = "house of vanity" a city east of Bethel

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Beth-aven. See also: Joshua 7:2; 1 Samuel 14:23; Hosea 10:5.

אָ֔וֶן Bêyth ʼÂven H1007 "Beth-aven" N-proper

Definition: § Beth-aven = "house of vanity" a city east of Bethel

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Beth-aven. See also: Joshua 7:2; 1 Samuel 14:23; Hosea 10:5.

יָג֖וּרוּ gûwr H1481 "to sojourn" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

This word means to fear or dread something, like the fear of God. It implies a sense of awe or reverence, like the fear that the disciples felt during the storm on the lake in Matthew 8:24. It can also mean to be a stranger or sojourner in a place.

Definition: 1) to sojourn, abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sojourn, dwell for a time 1a2) to abide, stay, temporarily dwell 1b) (Hithpolel) 1b1) to seek hospitality with 1b2) to assemble oneself

Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 12:10; 1 Kings 17:20; Psalms 5:5.

שְׁכַ֣ן shâkên H7934 "neighboring" Adj

This word describes someone who lives near you, like a neighbor or a fellow citizen. It's used in books like Genesis and Jeremiah to talk about the people around you.

Definition: 1) inhabitant, neighbour 1a) inhabitant 1b) neighbour

Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: inhabitant, neighbour, nigh. See also: Exodus 3:22; Psalms 89:42; Psalms 31:12.

שֹֽׁמְר֑וֹן Shômᵉrôwn H8111 "Samaria" N-proper

Samaria means watch mountain, a region in northern Palestine and the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, located near Jerusalem. It was the kingdom of the 10 tribes of Israel after Solomon's death.

Definition: § Samaria = "watch mountain" 1) the region of northern Palestine associated with the northern kingdom of the 10 tribes of Israel which split from the kingdom after the death of Solomon during the reign of his son Rehoboam and were ruled by Jeroboam 2) the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel located 30 miles (50 km) north of Jerusalem and 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Shechem

Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: Samaria. See also: 1 Kings 13:32; 2 Kings 17:5; Isaiah 7:9.

כִּי kîy H3588 "for" Conj

A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.

Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.

אָבַ֨ל ʼâbal H56 "to mourn" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

To mourn or lament, as seen in human and inanimate objects, like gates or land, and used in various forms in the Bible.

Definition: 1) to mourn, lament 1a) (Qal) to mourn, lament 1a1) of humans 1a2) of inanimate objects (fig.) 1a2a) of gates 1a2b) of land 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to mourn, cause to mourn (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to mourn 1c2) play the mourner

Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: lament, mourn. See also: Genesis 37:34; Isaiah 33:9; Isaiah 3:26.

עָלָ֜י/ו 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.

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.

עַמּ֗/וֹ ʻam H5971 "Amaw" N-ms | Suff

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

וּ/כְמָרָי/ו֙ kâmâr H3649 "pagan priest" Conj | N-mp | Suff

In the Bible, a Chemarim is a pagan priest who practices self-denial, as seen in 2 Kings 13:6. These priests were known for their strict ascetic lifestyle, but were also associated with idolatry. The word is used to describe those who worship false gods.

Definition: priest, idolatrous priest

Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Chemarims (idolatrous) priests. See also: 2 Kings 23:5; Hosea 10:5; Zephaniah 1:4.

עָלָ֣י/ו 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.

יָגִ֔ילוּ gîyl H1523 "to rejoice" V-Qal-Imperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to rejoice or be glad, often expressing strong emotions like joy or fear, as seen in the KJV translations.

Definition: 1) to rejoice, exult, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to tremble (from fear)

Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: be glad, joy, be joyful, rejoice. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:31; Proverbs 23:25; Psalms 2:11.

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.

כְּבוֹד֖/וֹ kâbôwd H3519 "glory" N-cs | Suff

Glory refers to great honor or splendor, often used to describe God's majesty, as in Psalm 138:5 where David praises God's glorious name. It can also refer to wealth or abundance, like in Genesis 31:1 where Jacob's wealth is described.

Definition: 1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance 1a) abundance, riches 1b) honour, splendour, glory 1c) honour, dignity 1d) honour, reputation 1e) honour, reverence, glory 1f) glory

Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able). See also: Genesis 31:1; Psalms 113:4; Psalms 3:4.

כִּֽי kîy H3588 "for" Conj

גָלָ֥ה gâlâh H1540 "to reveal" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

This Hebrew word means to reveal or uncover something, often in a way that's embarrassing or shameful. It can also mean to exile someone, forcing them to leave their home. In some cases, it's used to describe God revealing himself to people.

Definition: : reveal[information] 1) to uncover, remove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to uncover 1a2) to remove, depart 1a3) to go into exile 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) (reflexive) 1b1a) to uncover oneself 1b1b) to discover or show oneself 1b1c) to reveal himself (of God) 1b2) (passive) 1b2a) to be uncovered 1b2b) to be disclosed, be discovered 1b2c) to be revealed 1b3) to be removed 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to uncover (nakedness) 1c1a) nakedness 1c1b) general 1c2) to disclose, discover, lay bare 1c3) to make known, show, reveal 1d) (Pual) to be uncovered 1e) (Hiphil) to carry away into exile, take into exile 1f) (Hophal) to be taken into exile 1g) (Hithpael) 1g1) to be uncovered 1g2) to reveal oneself

Usage: Occurs in 167 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover. See also: Genesis 9:21; Job 38:17; Psalms 18:16.

מִמֶּֽ/נּוּ min H4480 "from" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.

Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)

Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.

Study Notes — Hosea 10:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Hosea 10:5 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Hosea 10:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Hosea 10:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 10:5
Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 10:5
Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 10:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 10:5
Cambridge Bible on Hosea 10:5
Barnes' Notes on Hosea 10:5
Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 10:5
Sermons on Hosea 10:5

Context — Retribution for Israel’s Sin

3Surely now they will say, “We have no king, for we do not revere the LORD. What can a king do for us?” 4They speak mere words; with false oaths they make covenants. So judgment springs up like poisonous weeds in the furrows of a field.

5The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven. Indeed, its people will mourn over it with its idolatrous priests— those who rejoiced in its glory— for it has been taken from them into exile.

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.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Hosea 9:11	Ephraim’s glory will fly away like a bird, with no birth, no pregnancy, and no conception.
2	Hosea 5:8	Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the battle cry in Beth-aven: Lead on, O Benjamin!
3	2 Kings 23:5	Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.
4	Hosea 8:5–6	He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? For this thing is from Israel— a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria.
5	Hosea 4:15	Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
6	Hosea 13:2	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!”
7	1 Samuel 4:21–22	And she named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been captured and her father-in-law and her husband had been killed. “The glory has departed from Israel,” she said, “for the ark of God has been captured.”
8	Zephaniah 1:4	“I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all who dwell in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests—
9	2 Chronicles 11:15	And Jeroboam appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat demons and calf idols he had made.
10	2 Kings 10:29	but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.

Hosea 10:5 Summary

This verse is talking about a time when the people of Samaria will be afraid because their idol, a calf, is being taken away from them. They had put their trust in this false god, but it was unable to save them, just like God warned in Psalm 115:4-8. The people will mourn the loss of their idol, but this is a consequence of their own sin and rebellion against God, as seen in Romans 6:23. We can learn from this that it's essential to put our trust in the one true God, who is able to save and deliver us, as promised in Jeremiah 29:11-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the calf of Beth-aven mentioned in Hosea 10:5?

The calf of Beth-aven refers to an idol worshipped by the people of Samaria, which was a symbol of their rebellion against God, as seen in Hosea 8:5 and Hosea 13:2.

Why will the people of Samaria fear for the calf of Beth-aven?

The people will fear because their idol will be taken away from them into exile, which is a judgment from God, as stated in Hosea 10:5 and also prophesied in Deuteronomy 28:36.

What does it mean that the people rejoiced in the calf's glory?

The people found joy and pride in their idol, which is a form of idolatry condemned by God in Exodus 20:3-5 and Deuteronomy 5:7-9.

How does this relate to the overall message of Hosea?

This verse illustrates the consequences of Israel's sin and idolatry, which is a central theme in the book of Hosea, as seen in Hosea 1:2 and Hosea 14:1-3.

Reflection Questions

What are some modern-day 'idols' that I may be putting my trust in, and how can I surrender them to God?
How can I ensure that my heart is fully devoted to God, and not divided between Him and other things?
What are some ways that I can practically demonstrate my love and loyalty to God, as He desires in Deuteronomy 6:5?
In what ways can I be an influence for God's truth and righteousness in a world that often values idols and false gods?

Gill's Exposition on Hosea 10:5

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven,.... Or, "the cow calves" (w), as in the original; so called by way of derision, and to denote their weakness and inability to

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Hosea 10:5

The citizens who dwelt yet safe in Samaria, but knew that the Assyrian invaded the kingdom, beat Israel’ s army, and took his city; these idolatrous citizens were in bodily fear for their gods, lest the Assyrians should rudely spoil their godships. Because of the calves of Beth-aven: some give the reason of their fear, because they had sinned by these calves, and provoked God, therefore should this fear seize them; but it is more likely this doth speak the object of the Samaritans’ fears, their cow-calves (as by way of contempt in the Hebrew) were the goodly deities they were afraid for; yet they trusted in these for aid against enemies, and now fear they have not power enough to defend themselves: what brutes are idolaters! Of this Beth-aven, principal seat of the calf god, see . The people thereof; they who dwelt at Beth-aven, who had gain and profit by the idol, to which many resorted; or else they that were addicted to this idol, worshipped it, and trusted in it. Shall mourn over it; howl and cry over the endangered god: so let all their sorrows be multiplied that hasten after any strange god. The priests thereof, that were to attend and offer sacrifices to these calves; the priests were like to lose their livings with their idol. That rejoiced on it: these priests formerly were fed, clothed, enriched, and got into credit by these their idols, this made them right glad. The glory thereof, all its credit and veneration, is departed from it; is vanished: it was once taken for a god, but now the case is altered, it is turned into a captive, and with loss of liberty hath lost its deity also; the Assyrians have either broken it, or carried it in derision into Assyria.

Trapp's Commentary on Hosea 10:5

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.Ver. 5. The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear] sc. When God shall break the necks of their altars, and spoil their images, as Hosea 10:2. They feared not God, by their own confession, Hosea 10:3, therefore they are full of base fears, whereof the true fear of God would have freed them, Matthew 10:28. He that feareth God needeth not fear any other thing, or person, Psalms 112:7; but can say with David, "My feet," that is, mine affections, "stand in an even place," that is, in an equal tenor; Impavidum ferient ruinae. "I shall rest in the day of trouble, when he cometh up against the people" (saith holy Habakkuk, Habakkuk 3:16). I shall rejoice in the God of my salvation; when those that fear not God shall be at their wits’ end; yea, they shall be mad for the sight of their eyes that they shall see, Deuteronomy 28:34. Because of the calves of Bethaven] Calves in the feminine gender, she-calves, by way of contempt and derision, as Jerome noteth; as Isaiah 3:12, "women rule over them." The Jews at this day look upon women as a lower creation, and do not allow them to enter into the synagogue. As among the Turks they never go to church, neither is there any reckoning made of their religion. The heathens had the like conceits and expressions: O Phrygiae, neque enim Phryges - Aχηιδεςουκετ Aχαιοι, &c. (Virg. Aeneid. 9. Hom. II 8). We cannot speak overbasely of idols; the Scripture calleth them excrements, nothings, &c. Luther wonders that Jeroboam, knowing how ill the people had sped with their golden calf in the wilderness, should yet dare to set up two at Dan and Bethel (both here called Bethaven, or houses of iniquity); and a man might as well wonder that, having as great a miracle wrought before him in the drying up of his hand, as St Paul at his conversion, yet was he no whit wrought upon. But if God strike not the stroke, if the Spirit set not in with the means, all is to no purpose. Who would think that men should ever be so void of reason as to trust in that which cannot save itself from the enemies’ hands?

Ellicott's Commentary on Hosea 10:5

(5) It is hard to express the sarcastic force and concentrated scoff of the original: “calves,” literally, she calves, the feminine form to express contempt, the plural in allusion to the scattered worship in numerous shrines throughout Israel (or, perhaps, a pluralis majestatis of mockery). The next clause should read thus:—For it (pers. pronoun, referring to the calf par excellence of the chief seat of worship at Bethel, here degraded into Bethaven), people mourn because of it, and its priests tremble because of it. (The word for “priests,” kemarîm, means always idolatrous priesthood.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Hosea 10:5

Verse 5. The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear] According to Calmet, shall worship the calves of Beth-aven; those set up by Jeroboam, at Beth-el. Fear is often taken for religious reverence. The people thereof shall mourn] On seeing the object of their worship carried into captivity, as well as themselves. And the priests thereof] כמרים kemarim. The priests of Samaria, says Calmet, are here called kemarim, that is, black coats, or shouters, because they made loud cries in their sacrifices. Instead of יגילו yagilu, "they shall rejoice;" learned men propose ילילו yalilu, "shall howl," which is likely to be the true reading, but it is not supported by any of the MSS. yet discovered. But the exigentia loci, the necessity of the place, requires some such word.

Cambridge Bible on Hosea 10:5

5. shall fear because of the calves of Beth-aven] The statement is keenly ironical. So far from being able to help their worshippers, the ‘calves of Beth-aven’ shall occasion the greatest anxiety to their worshippers. Probably however we should make a slight emendation, and render, shall bemoan the calves (yβnϋdϋ for yβgϋrϋ); comp. the parallel clause. ‘Beth-aven’ is a contemptuous name for Bethel (see on Hosea 4:15); the ‘calves’, or more literally ‘she-calves’, may indicate what we should not otherwise have known, that Jeroboam’s ‘calf’ (or small bull) was only the chief of several of these idolatrous symbols. It should be added however that the Sept. and the Pesh. have the masc. sing. form, so that the text is not beyond dispute, especially as Hosea immediately afterwards employs pronominal suffixes of the 3rd pers. sing. masc. The feminine form in the received reading is perhaps to be explained as expressing contempt (Ἀχαιΐδεςοὐκἔτʼ ? Ἀχαιοί, Il. 11. 235, has been compared); it is used nowhere else of the steer-gods. for the people thereof, &c.] Rather, yea, his people shall mourn for it, and his priests shall tremble for it, for their glory, because it is gone into exile from them. Again keenly ironical. ‘His people’ means the steer-god’s people; Jehovah’s people they are no more: ‘Call his name Not-my-people’ (Hosea 1:9). The ‘priests’ of the idol, too, are not dignified by the title kτhǎ ?nξm: the word used (k’mβrξm, as in 2 Kings 23:5; Zephaniah 1:4) comes, directly or indirectly, from the Assyrian kamβru ‘to throw down’; it describes the priests as those who prostrate themselves in worship (Fred. Delitzsch, Assyrian and Hebrew, pp. 41, 42). Comp. below, on Hosea 11:8. ‘Their glory’, i.e. the steer-god; comp. Psalms 106:20. Literally, however, it is ‘his glory’, which might of course mean the splendid appurtenances of the worship of the steer. ‘Shall tremble’; yβgξlϋ borrows the sense of yβkhξlu; it seems preferred for the sake of the assonance with gβlβh (‘it is gone into exile’). Or there may be a scribe’s error in the case.

Barnes' Notes on Hosea 10:5

The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of - (i. e., for) the calves of Beth-aven He calls them in this place “cow-calves,” perhaps to denote their weakness and helplessness.

Whedon's Commentary on Hosea 10:5

5. The judgment will produce consternation. Will the “calves” be able to help? No! Instead, the people will have the greatest concern for them. This is certainly an ironical situation. Calves — LXX.

Sermons on Hosea 10:5

	Sermon	Description
	Men Naturally Are God’s Enemies by Jonathan Edwards	Jonathan Edwards preaches about the natural enmity of men towards God, emphasizing that all natural men are God's enemies due to their low esteem, aversion, and opposition to God i
	A Silent Church Amidst a Sinful Nation by E.A. Johnston	In this sermon, the speaker highlights the current state of the Christian Church, describing it as helpless and facing powers of darkness. He emphasizes that the Church has substit
	sermonindex.net Simulcast 2012: Learning From the Church in China by E.A. Johnston	This sermon contrasts the state of the church in China, where believers face persecution and suffering as part of following Christ, with the church in the West, which has drifted f
	Soaring 2 - Burdens & Gifts by Gareth Evans	In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing a story from the book of Kings in the Old Testament. The story is about a little bundle that learns to fly and soar without moving its
	Why Glory in the Cross by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God rather than relying on entertainment or other distractions. He believes that the new birth is a
	Samuel - His Early Life Ii by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a personal relationship with God. He uses the story of Samuel in the Bible to illustrate how God can speak to indiv
	On Eagles' Wings Pt 301 by Don Courville	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about leading a man to Christ after he had been involved in a motorcycle accident. The speaker emphasizes the importance of gett