Hosea 4:12

4:12 They consult their wooden idols,

and their diviner’s staff answers with an oracle.

The wind of prostitution blows them astray;

they commit spiritual adultery ¹  against their God.

Hosea 13:11

13:11 I granted ²  you a king in my anger,

and I will take him away in my wrath!

Hosea 8:4

The Political and Cultic Sin of Israel

8:4 They enthroned kings without my consent! ³ 

They appointed princes without my approval! ⁴ 

They made idols out of their silver and gold,

but they will be destroyed! ⁵ 

[4:12]  ¹ tn Heb “adultery.” The adjective “spiritual” is supplied in the translation to clarify that apostasy is meant here.

[13:11]  ² tn The prefix-conjugation verb אֶתֶּן (’eten, “I gave”) refers to past-time action, specifying a definite past event (the enthronement of Saul); therefore, this should be classified as a preterite. While imperfects are occasionally used in reference to past-time events, they depict repeated action in the past. See IBHS 502-4 §31.2 and 510-14 §31.6.

[8:4]  ³ tn Heb “but without me”; NCV “without asking my permission”; CEV “without consulting me.”

[8:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “but I did not know”; NRSV “but without my knowledge.”

[8:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “in order to be cut off.” The text gives the impression that they made the idols for this purpose, but the language is ironic and sarcastic, bringing out the futility of their efforts. One could paraphrase, “they made idols…but only so that they might be destroyed.” Though they had other plans for the idols, God’s judgment would bring their intentions to naught.