◄ Hosea 10:5 ►
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.
Study Bible
The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven.
Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often associated with idolatry and rebellion against God. The "calf of Beth-aven" refers to the golden calf idol set up in Bethel, a city that became a center of idol worship. "Beth-aven" is a derogatory term meaning "house of wickedness," replacing "Bethel," which means "house of God." This reflects the spiritual decline of Israel. The fear mentioned here is due to the impending judgment and loss of their idol, which they wrongly trusted for protection and prosperity.

Indeed, its people will mourn over it
The mourning signifies the deep attachment and misplaced devotion the people had towards the idol. This mourning is not for their sin or for turning away from God, but for the loss of the idol itself. It highlights the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart prevalent among the Israelites, who failed to recognize the true source of their blessings and security.

with its idolatrous priests—those who rejoiced in its glory—
The idolatrous priests, or "chemārim," were those who served at the high places and led the people in idol worship. They rejoiced in the glory of the calf, which was seen as a symbol of strength and fertility. This phrase underscores the corrupt religious leadership that led Israel astray, contrasting with the Levitical priesthood ordained by God. Their rejoicing was in something transient and false, rather than in the eternal glory of God.

for it has been taken from them into exile.
The exile refers to the Assyrian captivity, which occurred in 722 BC when the Northern Kingdom was conquered. The taking of the idol into exile symbolizes the futility of trusting in man-made objects for salvation. This event fulfilled the prophetic warnings given by Hosea and other prophets about the consequences of idolatry and disobedience. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His judgment against sin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Samaria
The capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often associated with idolatry and rebellion against God.

2. Calf of Beth-aven
A reference to the golden calf idol worshiped in Beth-aven, a place synonymous with idolatry. "Beth-aven" means "house of wickedness," a derogatory term for Bethel, which means "house of God."

3. Idolatrous Priests
Religious leaders who facilitated and promoted the worship of idols, leading the people away from the worship of Yahweh.

4. Mourning and Fear
The emotional response of the people and priests due to the loss of their idol, indicating their misplaced trust and devotion.

5. Departure of Glory
The loss of the idol's perceived power and significance, symbolizing the futility of idol worship.
Teaching Points
Idolatry's Deception
Idolatry promises security and satisfaction but ultimately leads to fear and mourning when its emptiness is revealed.

Misplaced Trust
Trusting in anything other than God—whether material, relational, or spiritual—leads to disappointment and spiritual decay.

God's Exclusive Glory
God alone is worthy of worship and glory. Idolatry robs God of His rightful place and leads to spiritual ruin.

Repentance and Return
The call to recognize and repent from idolatry, turning back to God for true fulfillment and security.

Cultural Idols
Identifying modern-day idols in our lives, such as wealth, status, or technology, and realigning our worship towards God.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day "calves of Beth-aven" that people might fear losing, and how can we guard against idolizing them?

2. How does the mourning of the people and priests in Hosea 10:5 reflect the consequences of misplaced trust in idols?

3. In what ways does the account of the golden calf in Exodus 32 parallel the situation in Hosea 10:5, and what lessons can we learn from both?

4. How can we apply the principle of God's exclusive glory in our daily lives, especially in a culture that promotes self-glorification?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the "departure of glory" from something you trusted in. How did that experience lead you closer to God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32
The incident of the golden calf at Mount Sinai, illustrating the recurring sin of idolatry among the Israelites.

1 Kings 12:28-30
Jeroboam's establishment of golden calves in Bethel and Dan, leading Israel into sin.

Isaiah 42:8
God's declaration that He will not share His glory with idols, emphasizing His exclusive right to worship.

Jeremiah 2:11-13
The folly of exchanging the glory of God for worthless idols, highlighting the spiritual adultery of Israel.
Sermons
The Calves and the KingsC. Jerdan Hosea 10:1-8
The End of Calf-WorshipJ. Orr Hosea 10:4-8
The Degrading Influence of False WorshipGeorge Hutcheson.Hosea 10:5-6
People
Hosea, Jacob, Jareb, Shalman
Places
Assyria, Aven, Beth-arbel, Beth-aven, Bethel, Gibeah, Gilgal, Samaria
Topics
Along, Aven, Beth, Calf-idol, Calves, Departed, Exile, Fear, Glory, Idolatrous, Inhabitants, Mourn, Priests, Rejoiced, Samaria, Splendor, Terror
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Hosea 10:5

     4618   calf
     7767   priests, OT institution

Hosea 10:5-6

     4552   wood
     5594   tribute
     7324   calf worship

Hosea 10:5-8

     7233   Israel, northern kingdom

Library
'Fruit which is Death'
'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. 2. Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: He shall break down their altars, He shall spoil their images. 3. For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the Lord; what then should a king do to us? 4. They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Divided Heart
I intend, however, to take the text this morning specially with reference to our individual condition. We shall look at the separate individual heart of each man. If divisions in the great main body--if separation among the distinct classes of that body should each promote disasters, how much more disastrous must be a division in that better kingdom--the heart of man. If there be civil tumult in the town of Mansoul, even when no enemy attacks its walls, it will be in a sufficiently dangerous position. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

How to Promote a Revival.
Text.--Break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.--Hosea x. 12. THE Jews were a nation of farmers, and it is therefore a common thing in the Scriptures to refer for illustrations to their occupation, and to the scenes with which farmers and shepherds are familiar. The prophet Hosea addresses them as a nation of backsliders, and reproves them for their idolatry, and threatens them with the judgments of God. I have showed you in my first …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Books of the Old Testament as a Whole. 1 the Province of Particular Introduction is to Consider the Books of the Bible Separately...
CHAPTER XVIII. THE BOOKS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AS A WHOLE. 1. The province of Particular Introduction is to consider the books of the Bible separately, in respect to their authorship, date, contents, and the place which each of them holds in the system of divine truth. Here it is above all things important that we begin with the idea of the unity of divine revelation--that all the parts of the Bible constitute a gloriously perfect whole, of which God and not man is the author. No amount of study devoted …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Arbel. Shezor. Tarnegola the Upper.
"Arbel a city of Galilee."--There is mention of it in Hosea 10:14. But there are authors which do very differently interpret that place, viz. the Chaldee paraphrast, R. Solomon, Kimchi: consult them. It was between Zippor and Tiberias. Hence Nittai the Arbelite, who was president with Josua Ben Perahiah. The valley of Arbel is mentioned by the Talmudists. So also "The Arbelite Bushel." "Near Zephath in Upper Galilee was a town named Shezor, whence was R. Simeon Shezori: there he was buried. There …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Letter Xli to Thomas of St. Omer, after He had Broken his Promise of Adopting a Change of Life.
To Thomas of St. Omer, After He Had Broken His Promise of Adopting a Change of Life. He urges him to leave his studies and enter religion, and sets before him the miserable end of Thomas of Beverley. To his dearly beloved son, Thomas, Brother Bernard, called Abbot of Clairvaux, that he may walk in the fear of the Lord. 1. You do well in acknowledging the debt of your promise, and in not denying your guilt in deferring its performance. But I beg you not to think simply of what you promised, but to …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
DO not mistake me, I do not say that of their own nature the worst things are good, for they are a fruit of the curse; but though they are naturally evil, yet the wise overruling hand of God disposing and sanctifying them, they are morally good. As the elements, though of contrary qualities, yet God has so tempered them, that they all work in a harmonious manner for the good of the universe. Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Barren Fig-Tree;
OR, THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR: SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED; THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN. BY JOHN BUNYAN 'Who being dead, yet speaketh.'--Hebrews 11:4 London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1688. This Title has a broad Black Border. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn, searching, awful treatise, was published by Bunyan in 1682; but does not appear …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Directions to Awakened Sinners.
Acts ix. 6. Acts ix. 6. And he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do. THESE are the words of Saul, who also is called Paul, (Acts xiii. 9,) when he was stricken to the ground as he was going to Damascus; and any one who had looked upon him in his present circumstances and knew nothing more of him than that view, in comparison with his past life, could have given, would have imagined him one of the most miserable creatures that ever lived upon earth, and would have expected …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
Rom. viii. 1.--"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." There are three things which concur to make man miserable,--sin, condemnation, and affliction. Every one may observe that "man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward," that his days here are few and evil. He possesses "months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed" for him. Job v. 6, 7, vii. 3. He "is of few days and full of trouble," Job xiv. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Hosea
The book of Hosea divides naturally into two parts: i.-iii. and iv.-xiv., the former relatively clear and connected, the latter unusually disjointed and obscure. The difference is so unmistakable that i.-iii. have usually been assigned to the period before the death of Jeroboam II, and iv.-xiv. to the anarchic period which succeeded. Certainly Hosea's prophetic career began before the end of Jeroboam's reign, as he predicts the fall of the reigning dynasty, i. 4, which practically ended with Jeroboam's …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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