Hosea 8:6

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Hosea 8:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For from Israel is even this; the workman made it, and it is no God; yea, the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For from Israel is even this; the workman made it, and it is no God; yea, the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.
Hosea 8:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Hosea 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6For from Israel is even this; the workman made it, and it is no God; yea, the calf of Samaria shall be broken in pieces.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For from Israel [was] it also, etc.] That is, the calf was from Israel; it was an invention of theirs, as some say; they did not borrow it from their neighbours, as they did other idols, but it was their own contrivance: but this tines not seem to be fact; for the calf, the making of it indeed, was of themselves, but the worship of it they borrowed from the Egyptians; with this difference, the Egyptians worshipped a living cow or ox, these the golden image of a calf: but rather the sense is, that this calf was made by the advice of Israel, by the advice of Jeroboam their king, and of their princes, they assenting to it, so Aben Ezra; or the gold and silver of which it was made was exacted on…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“from Israel was it--that is, the calf originated with them, not from Me. "It also," as well as their "kings set up" by them, "but not by Me" (Hos 8:4).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For - This verse may assign the reasons of God’s displeasure, “mine anger is kindled;” or of Israel’s impenitency, “How long will it be?” This indeed is only going a little further back, for Israel’s incorrigibleness was the ground of God’s displeasure. And they were incorrigible; because they had themselves devised it; “for from Israel was it also.” Those are especially incorrigible, who do not fall into error through ignorance, but who through malice devise it out of their own heart. Such persons act and speak, not as seduced by others, but seducing themselves, and condemned by their own judgment. Such were Israel and Jeroboam his king, who were not induced or seduced by others to deem the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“From Israel - By their invention. It - Both the idol and the worshippers of it. Hosea 8:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“from: Psa 106:19, Psa 106:20 the workman: Psa 115:4-8, Psa 135:15-18; Isa 44:9-20; Jer 10:3-9, Jer 10:14; Hab 2:18; Act 17:29, Act 19:26 the calf: Hos 10:2, Hos 10:5, Hos 10:6; Jer 43:12, Jer 43:13, Jer 50:2 shall: Kg2 23:15, Kg2 23:19; Ch2 31:1, Ch2 34:6, Ch2 34:7 Hosea 8:7”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification