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:

2a Now they sin more and more

2b and make for themselves cast images,

2c
idols skillfully made from their silver,

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.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they go on sinning (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
they compound their sins (New Jerusalem Bible)

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 (Contemporary English Version)

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.

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. 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.

13:2d

all of them the work of craftsmen: The word craftsmen here describes a person who cuts and engraves various materials. 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 (God’s Word)

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

Sacrifice to these, they say (New Revised Standard Version)

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. 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 (New Century Version)
-or-
they say (New American Bible)

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.” 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 Bible)

(2) It means “those who offer human sacrifice.” It refers to people who offer human sacrifices to the calf-idols. For example:

“Those who offer human sacrifices kiss calves!” (English Standard Version)

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.

and kiss the calves!: This gesture signifies the giving of honor or allegiance to the idol. See 1 Kings 19:18. 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. For example:

Men bestow kisses to calves! (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The phrase kiss the calves is a command. For example:

“kiss the calf idols!” (New Living Translation (2004))

(3) The phrase kiss the calves is an urging or wish. For example:

“Let the men who sacrifice kiss the calves!” (New American Standard Bible)

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. Follow the interpretation that best expresses condemnation and ridicule in your language.

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