Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Though Ephraim built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning. New Living Translation “Israel has built many altars to take away sin, but these very altars became places for sinning! English Standard Version Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they have become to him altars for sinning. Berean Standard Bible Though Ephraim multiplied the altars for sin, they became his altars for sinning. King James Bible Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin. New King James Version “Because Ephraim has made many altars for sin, They have become for him altars for sinning. New American Standard Bible Since Ephraim has multiplied altars for sin, They have become altars of sinning for him. NASB 1995 Since Ephraim has multiplied altars for sin, They have become altars of sinning for him. NASB 1977 Since Ephraim has multiplied altars for sin, They have become altars of sinning for him. Legacy Standard Bible Since Ephraim has multiplied altars for sin, They have become altars of sinning for him. Amplified Bible For Ephraim has constructed many altars for sin; They are altars intended for sinning [which multiply his guilt]. Christian Standard Bible When Ephraim multiplied his altars for sin, they became his altars for sinning. Holman Christian Standard Bible When Ephraim multiplied his altars for sin, they became his altars for sinning. American Standard Version Because Ephraim hath multiplied altars for sinning, altars have been unto him for sinning. Contemporary English Version Israel, you have built many altars where you offer sacrifices for sin. But these altars have become places for sin. English Revised Version Because Ephraim hath multiplied altars to sin, altars have been unto him to sin. GOD'S WORD® Translation "The more altars that the people of Ephraim build to make offerings to pay for their sins, the more places they have for sinning. Good News Translation "The more altars the people of Israel build for removing sin, the more places they have for sinning! International Standard Version "The more altars Ephraim builds for sin, the more altars there will be for sin. Majority Standard Bible Though Ephraim multiplied the altars for sin, they became his altars for sinning. NET Bible Although Ephraim has built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning! New Heart English Bible Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they became for him altars for sinning. Webster's Bible Translation Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be to him to sin. World English Bible Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, they became for him altars for sinning. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBecause Ephraim multiplied altars to sin, "" They have been to him altars to sin. Young's Literal Translation Because Ephraim did multiply altars to sin, They have been to him altars to sin. Smith's Literal Translation Because Ephraim multiplied altars to sin, altars were to him to sin. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBecause Ephraim hath made many altars to sin: altars are become to him unto sin. Catholic Public Domain Version For Ephraim multiplied altars to sin, and sanctuaries have become an offense for him. New American Bible When Ephraim made many altars to expiate sin, they became altars for sinning. New Revised Standard Version When Ephraim multiplied altars to expiate sin, they became to him altars for sinning. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBecause Ephraim has made many altars to sin, altars have become to him for a great sin. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because Aphreim has multiplied altars for sin, and he had altars for great sin OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For Ephraim hath multiplied altars to sin, Yea, altars have been unto him to sin. Brenton Septuagint Translation Because Ephraim has multiplied altars, his beloved altars are become sins to him. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Israel will Reap the Whirlwind…10Though they hire allies among the nations, I will now round them up, and they will begin to diminish under the oppression of the king of princes. 11Though Ephraim multiplied the altars for sin, they became his altars for sinning. 12Though I wrote for them the great things of My law, they regarded them as something strange.… Cross References 1 Kings 12:28-30 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. 2 Kings 17:10-12 They set up for themselves sacred pillars and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. / They burned incense on all the high places like the nations that the LORD had driven out before them. They did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger. / They served idols, although the LORD had told them, “You shall not do this thing.” Jeremiah 2:28 But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah. Isaiah 2:8 Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. Ezekiel 20:28-29 When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings. / So I asked them: ‘What is this high place to which you go?’ (And to this day it is called Bamah.) Amos 5:25-26 Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along Sakkuth your king and Kaiwan your star god, the idols you made for yourselves. Micah 5:13-14 I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands. / I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities. 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. Deuteronomy 12:2-3 Destroy completely all the places where the nations you are dispossessing have served their gods—atop the high mountains, on the hills, and under every green tree. / Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. Leviticus 26:30 I will destroy your high places, cut down your incense altars, and heap your lifeless bodies on the lifeless remains of your idols; and My soul will despise you. Romans 1:21-23 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Acts 17:29-30 Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination. / Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. Galatians 4:8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. Colossians 2:22-23 These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. / Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Treasury of Scripture Because Ephraim has made many altars to sin, altars shall be to him to sin. many. Hosea 10:1,2,8 Israel is an empty vine, he bringeth forth fruit unto himself: according to the multitude of his fruit he hath increased the altars; according to the goodness of his land they have made goodly images… Hosea 12:11 Is there iniquity in Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars are as heaps in the furrows of the fields. Isaiah 10:10,11 As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria; … altars. Deuteronomy 4:28 And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. Jeremiah 16:13 Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour. Jump to Previous Altars Built Cause Ephraim E'phraim Increasing Multiplied Multiply Offerings Sin SinningJump to Next Altars Built Cause Ephraim E'phraim Increasing Multiplied Multiply Offerings Sin SinningHosea 8 1. Destruction is threatened both to Israel and Judah for their impiety and idolatry.Though Ephraim The name "Ephraim" refers to one of the tribes of Israel, often used as a representative term for the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Historically, Ephraim was a dominant tribe, and its name became synonymous with the entire northern region. The use of "Ephraim" here underscores the collective identity and responsibility of the people in their spiritual decline. In a broader sense, it serves as a warning to any community or nation that turns away from God. multiplied the altars for sin they became his altars for sinning Persons / Places / Events 1. EphraimRepresents the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often used synonymously with Israel in the prophetic books. Ephraim was the largest tribe and held significant influence. 2. Altars Structures built for worship and sacrifices. In this context, they were used for idolatrous practices contrary to God's commandments. 3. Sin The act of disobedience against God's laws. Here, it refers to the idolatry and false worship practices of Israel. 4. Hosea A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to Israel. His ministry focused on Israel's unfaithfulness and God's enduring love. 5. Israel The Northern Kingdom, which had turned away from God to worship idols, leading to their eventual downfall. Teaching Points Idolatry's DeceptionJust as Ephraim multiplied altars, we must be cautious of allowing anything to take God's place in our lives. Idolatry can be subtle and deceptive. True Worship God desires sincere worship from the heart, not just external rituals. Our worship should reflect our love and obedience to Him. Consequences of Sin Persistent sin leads to spiritual decay and separation from God. We must repent and turn back to Him. Self-Examination Regularly examine your life for areas where you may be prioritizing other things over God. God's Faithfulness Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God remained faithful. We can trust in His promises and return to Him in repentance.(11) Many altars.--Multiplication of altars was condemned in the law (Deuteronomy 12:5 seq.). The narrative in Joshua 22 shows that unity of altar and sanctuary was essential to the unity of the nation. The last clause should be rendered, he had altars for sinning. The worship of God was degraded into the sensuous approaching Baal-worship. In the first clause sin equals transgression, in the last transgression plus guilt and peril.Verses 11, 12. - These two verses are closely connected with the preceding verse and with each other. Ver. 11 not only accounts for, but justifies, the threat of punishment announced in ver. 10 by reference to Ephraim's sin; and ver. 12 shows the inexcusableness of Ephraim in thus sinning. Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin, altars shall be unto him to sin. Instead of the one sanctuary with its altar in the place which the Lord their God would choose out of all their tribes to put his Name there and to accept the offerings of his people, they multiplied altars contrary to the express command of God; while those altars which they erected in any places that pleased them were not for the service of the true God, but for the worship of idols, the calves, Baal, and ether vanities of the heathen. Thus they multiplied their sin by every altar they reared and every idol they worshipped. Their altars, instead of proving their piety, plunged them in greater sin and deeper guilt. I have written to him the great things of my Law, but they were counted as a strange thing. For the Athenians, whose city Paul found full of idols, and which in addition to its many other altars had one to an unknown god, there was some excuse, for they were not privileged with a revelation of the Divine will in a written Law; but for Israel no such apology was possible. This verse proves plainly that, in their sinning by multiplying idols and altars, they were entirely without excuse. The kethie or textual reading has ribbo for ribboth by the omission of tar and equivalent to רְבָבָה, that is, ten thousand, or myriads; the Qeri or Maasoretie correction, רֻבֵּי, plural of דב, multitudes. The idea conveyed is the numerous directions, preceptive and prohibitive, of the Pentateuch; the commandments, so full and explicit, comprehending alike the great things and the little; the details, so minute as well as manifold, that there was no possibility of mistake, provided there was any mind to be informed. Still more, these commandments, directions, and details were not only communicated verbally and orally to Israel; they were committed to writing, and thus placed permanently on record. And yet, notwithstanding all this, the great things of God's Law were regarded by many or most of those to whom they were addressed as instructions foreign to their interest, with which they had no concern, and which consequently had no claim on their attention and deserved no place in their recollection. The variety of names for the Divine commands is very noteworthy. There are commandments equivalent to all precepts of which the motives are assigned, as of circumstance to distinguish Israel from ether people; statutes, for which no motives are assigned, as in the case of the red heifer, prohibition against wearing garments of mixed material, and ceremonial prescripts in general; testimonies, precepts intended to keep up the memory of any event of fact as the Passover to remind of the departure from Egypt; precepts, rational injunctions, left, so to say, to our intelligence, as the unity of the Deity and the fact of his being the Creator; and judgments, judicial directions relating to buying and selling, inheritances, and such like. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Thoughכִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction Ephraim אֶפְרַ֛יִם (’ep̄·ra·yim) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 669: Ephraim -- a son of Joseph, also his descendants and their territory multiplied הִרְבָּ֥ה (hir·bāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great the altars מִזְבְּחֹ֖ת (miz·bə·ḥōṯ) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4196: An altar for sin, לַחֲטֹ֑א (la·ḥă·ṭō) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn they became הָיוּ־ (hā·yū-) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be his ל֥וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew altars מִזְבְּח֖וֹת (miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4196: An altar for sinning. לַחֲטֹֽא׃ (la·ḥă·ṭō) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn Links Hosea 8:11 NIVHosea 8:11 NLT Hosea 8:11 ESV Hosea 8:11 NASB Hosea 8:11 KJV Hosea 8:11 BibleApps.com Hosea 8:11 Biblia Paralela Hosea 8:11 Chinese Bible Hosea 8:11 French Bible Hosea 8:11 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Hosea 8:11 Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning (Ho Hs Hos.) |
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