Hosea 8 13

Hosea 8:13 kjv

They sacrifice flesh for the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat it; but the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

Hosea 8:13 nkjv

For the sacrifices of My offerings they sacrifice flesh and eat it, But the LORD does not accept them. Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins. They shall return to Egypt.

Hosea 8:13 niv

Though they offer sacrifices as gifts to me, and though they eat the meat, the LORD is not pleased with them. Now he will remember their wickedness and punish their sins: They will return to Egypt.

Hosea 8:13 esv

As for my sacrificial offerings, they sacrifice meat and eat it, but the LORD does not accept them. Now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins; they shall return to Egypt.

Hosea 8:13 nlt

The people love to offer sacrifices to me,
feasting on the meat,
but I do not accept their sacrifices.
I will hold my people accountable for their sins,
and I will punish them.
They will return to Egypt.

Hosea 8 verses

Hosea 8 13 Meaning

Israel offered sacrifice in opposition to the LORD. Therefore, their offerings became like the bread of mourners; all who ate it were defiled. In essence, their worship was unacceptable and tainted, bringing impurity rather than acceptance before God.

Hosea 8 13 Context

Hosea 8 is a powerful denunciation of Israel's persistent idolatry and self-reliance, leading to their rejection by God. The chapter emphasizes their practice of sacrificing to idols and deviating from the LORD's prescribed worship. This verse, chapter 8, verse 13, specifically highlights the consequence of their misdirected worship: the offerings themselves become tainted. The broader context of Hosea's prophecy is God's judgment on Israel for their unfaithfulness, likened to a broken covenant and adultery. Historically, this occurred during a time when Israel was deeply influenced by surrounding pagan cultures, adopting their religious practices.

Hosea 8 13 Word analysis

• "They": Refers to the people of Israel, specifically those who have turned away from the LORD.

• "sacrifice": Hebrew: zabach (זֶבַח). Means to slaughter an animal for a sacrificial offering to God or a deity. In this context, it signifies their ritualistic offerings, likely to idols but presented in a manner mimicking legitimate worship.

• "unto the LORD": Hebrew: yehovah (יְהוָה). Refers to the covenant God of Israel. This phrase creates a stark contrast, as they are performing the act of sacrifice "to the LORD" while their heart and practice are against Him, making the gesture hollow.

• "and eat flesh": Hebrew: achlu (אָכְלוּ) basar (בָּשָׂר). To consume meat. Sacrifices often involved communal meals where worshippers partook of the offerings. The act of eating implies participation and benefit, which, in this case, becomes tainted.

• "but": A conjunction indicating a strong contrast or opposition.

• "the LORD": Hebrew: yehovah (יְהוָה). Again, referring to God.

• "hath no pleasure in them": Hebrew: la ratsah (לֹא רָצָה). God is not pleased or has not accepted them. Their worship is superficial and unacceptable.

• "but will remember their iniquity": Hebrew: ki im zakar (כִּי אִם־זָכַר) avon (עֲוֹן). God will recall, bring to mind, their guilt, their crookedness, their sin. This signifies judgment and accountability.

• "and will punish": Hebrew: uvenaphqad (וּבְנִפְקַד) chatahm (חֲטָאָם). Will visit or reckon for their sins. The consequence of God remembering their iniquity is punishment.

• "their sins": Hebrew: chatahm (חֲטָאָם). Their transgressions, their errors, the mark missed.

• Phrase group analysis:

  • "They sacrifice unto the LORD, and eat flesh": This describes Israel's outward actions. They appear to be worshipping God through accepted ritual (sacrifice and communal eating of the offering), yet this is a superficial performance.
  • "but the LORD hath no pleasure in them": This is God's direct assessment of their outward actions. Despite the appearance of worship, God finds no delight or acceptance in it.
  • "but will remember their iniquity, and will punish their sins": This articulates the divine consequence. Their false worship doesn't erase their sin; instead, it solidifies God's resolve to judge them for their iniquity. The repetition of "sins" and "iniquity" emphasizes the depth of their offense.

Hosea 8 13 Bonus section

The concept of "bread of mourners" or "mourning food" is linked to rituals of impurity in the Old Testament, where anything touched by the dead or associated with mourning rituals could render someone unclean (Leviticus 21:1-4). By extension, Hosea declares that Israel's "sacrifices" (which involved eating from the offering) had become spiritually akin to this impure food. This meant that participating in their flawed worship resulted in spiritual defilement for anyone who partook, not blessing. This reinforces that God's standard for worship is based on His covenant faithfulness, not mere performance. The parallel with the New Testament teaching on partaking of the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner (1 Cor 11:29) highlights a timeless principle: the spiritual condition of the worshipper and the purity of the object of worship are paramount to God.

Hosea 8 13 Commentary

This verse underscores that religious ritual without a true heart of obedience and faith is detestable to God. Israel's outward actions of sacrifice were a mockery because they were deeply embedded in disobedience and idolatry. God was not interested in their blood or their food; He desired their genuine repentance and devotion. Their continued observance of rituals, while violating the covenant, was not seen as piety but as further rebellion, leading inevitably to judgment. The "bread of mourners" metaphor implies that what they consumed from their tainted offerings brought impurity, like a meal at a wake where impurity surrounds all involved.