OET interlinear HOS 13:2

13:2a–d

These lines describe what the people did after their Baal worship resulted in the death of their nation. They increased their idolatry. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:This four line parallel arrangement is suggested by McComiskey (page 214).

^2aNow they sin more and more

^2band make for themselves cast images,

^2c idols skillfully made from their silver,The Hebrew grammar allows the word “silver” to connect either to line 2b (see NIV, NLT, KJV) or to 2c. The Hebrew accent marks suggest that it is part of 2c. See Garrett (page 248–250). There is no difference in meaning between these options.

^2d all of them the work of craftsmen.

All four lines describe their sin. Line 2a is a general statement. Lines 2b–d describe their sin more specifically. The underlined parts all refer to the idols. The parts in bold print give further details about the idols.

13:2a

Now: This word indicates present time from Hosea’s perspective.

they sin more and more: The Hebrew words are more literally “they increase to sin.” The Hebrew word for “increase” means to do again or more.BDB (#3254) Hiphil 2. a.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they go on sinning (NJPS)

they compound their sins (NJB)

13:2b

and make for themselves cast images: This line describes the sin that the people do more and more. Some versions use a word such as “by” to make explicit that this is the sin to which the previous line refers. For example:

Now you continue to sin by designing and making idols of silver (CEV)

for themselves: The people made the idols for their own benefit. This phrase along with 13:2c both emphasize the human origin and human purposes for the idols.Stuart (page 202).

13:2c

idols: The word idols refers to objects that people made by melting metal and pouring it into a cast. These idols were made out of silver metal and possibly other precious metals. People worshipped them as gods but they were were false gods.

skillfully made: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “according to their understanding/skill.” It indicates that the craftsmen had a high level of skill and made idols that were artistically beautiful.McComiskey (page 214). Most versions leave “according to” implied.

from their silver: The Hebrew word for silver may refer here both to silver and to other precious metals.Davies (page 286).

13:2d

all of them the work of craftsmen: The word craftsmen here describes a person who cuts and engraves various materials.TWOT (#760a). Here it refers to the skilled workers who made the idols.

13:2e

People say of them: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “to them they [are] saying.”

There are two interpretations concerning the referent of the pronoun “to them:”

1. The pronoun refers to people, specifically the Israelites. For example:

   People say this about the Israelites (GW) (BSB, ESV, GW, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, REB)

2. The pronoun refers to the idols. For example:

   Sacrifice to these, they say (NRSV) (CEV, GNT, NAB, NJB, NJPS, NLT, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most versions that support interpretation (2) regard the word “sacrifice” in the next line to be a command. However, a command requires a different form of the verb.To read “sacrifice” as a command would require emending the MT participle into an imperative. Hubbard (page 215), Patterson and Hill (pages 78–79), and Davies (page 286). Interpretation (1) makes good sense of the verb form in the Masoretic Text.

The words People say of them refer to what people in general are saying.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

The people of Israel say to each other (NCV)

they say (NAB)

They offer human sacrifice: In Hebrew this clause part is more literally “[those who] offer sacrifice of humankind.” There are two main interpretations of this clause part:

1. It means “those among humankind that offer sacrifice.”Patterson and Hill (pages 78, 79), Keil (pages 100–101), Macintosh (page 523), and Wood (page 220). A NET footnote classifies the phrase as a genitive of species: the genitive represents the whole class of a species (men) and the construct represents a part of the whole (those who sacrifice). The expression “a fool of men” in Prov 15:20 is similar. It refers to the people who offer sacrifices to calf-idols. It does not specify what kind of sacrifice they offer. For example:

   “Those who sacrifice to the calf idol are calf kissers!” (NET) (CEV, GNT, KJV, NASB, NCV, NET, NJB, NJPS, NLT, NRSV)

2. It means “those who offer human sacrifice.”Andersen and Freedman (pages 630–632) and Hubbard (page 215). It refers to people who offer human sacrifices to the calf-idols. For example:

   “Those who offer human sacrifices kiss calves!” (ESV) (BSB, ESV, GW, NIV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. There is no record in the Old Testament that human sacrifices were made to calf idols. People made such sacrifices only to Moloch.Keil (pages 100–101). A NET footnote adds that archaeological evidence does not provide any evidence of human sacrifice in the Northern Kingdom during Iron Age I (1200–722 B.C).

and kiss the calves!: This gesture signifies the giving of honor or allegiance to the idol. See 1 Kings 19:18.Macintosh (page 524). There are three main ways to interpret the function of the Hebrew phrase kiss the calves:

1. The phrase kiss the calves is a statement of fact.Kiss is understood as a regular imperfect that indicates present and/or future action. For example:

   Men bestow kisses to calves! (NJB) (BSB, GNT, GW, NAB, NJPS, NET, NJB, NIV, NRSV, REB)

2. The phrase kiss the calves is a command.The imperfect can be used for this function. See Ex 20:1–17 for another example. For example:

   “kiss the calf idols!” (NLT) (CEV, NCV, NLT)

3. The phrase kiss the calves is an urging or wish.“Kiss” is understood as a jussive. A jussive can have the same form as the imperfect. For example:

   “Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!” (NASB) (KJV, NASB)

The Display will follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. However, all three interpretations are acceptable grammatically and fit the context.

Hosea probably intends to express condemnation and perhaps ridicule of this behavior.Dearman (pages 319, 320) and Stuart (page 202). Follow the interpretation that best expresses condemnation and ridicule in your language.