The inhabitants of Samaria shall fear because of the calves of Bethaven: for the people thereof shall mourn over it, and the priests thereof that rejoiced on it, for the glory thereof, because it is departed from it.

HOSEA 10:5KJV
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Hosea 10:5 (KJV)

What does Hosea 10:5 mean?

Hosea 10:5 says that the people living in Samaria will be afraid because of the calves at Bethaven; the people and the priests who once celebrated these idols will mourn when their glory is taken away. The verse points to a coming loss and sorrow over the downfall of their false worship.

The prophet Hosea is speaking to the northern kingdom of Israel, warning them about the consequences of their idol worship, especially the golden calves set up at a place called Bethaven (a mocking name for Bethel). The verse describes how both ordinary people and priests will grieve when the idols they trusted in are destroyed or taken away, showing the emptiness of their false religion.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 10:5

  • "fear" (גּוּר, gur): This word often means to be afraid or to tremble. Here, it highlights the anxiety and dread that will grip the people of Samaria when their idol is threatened.
  • "calves" (עֵגֶל, ‘egel): Refers to the golden calf idols. The use of the plural shows that idol worship was widespread and central to their religious life.
  • "Bethaven" (בֵּית אָוֶן, Beit Aven): Literally means "house of wickedness" or "house of vanity," a play on the real place name Bethel ("house of God"). This word choice underlines the prophet’s condemnation of the site as a center of idolatry.
  • "glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): This word can mean honor or splendor. In this verse, it refers to the idol’s outward beauty or the pride people took in it, which is about to be lost.

Why Hosea 10:5 matters

  • Hosea 10:5 clarifies that the people's fear and mourning are not for God, but for the loss of their idols, exposing the depth of their misplaced devotion.
  • The verse uses the name "Bethaven" instead of Bethel to emphasize how far Israel has strayed from true worship, turning a holy place into one of emptiness and sin.
  • This verse connects to the broader message of Hosea, which warns that trusting in anything other than God—no matter how impressive it seems—will ultimately lead to disappointment and sorrow.

Where else these words appear

“priests” Hebrew H3649 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:5 And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
  • Zephaniah 1:4 I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with the priests;

“Bethaven” Hebrew H1007 · used in 7 verses

  • Joshua 7:2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
  • 1 Samuel 13:5 And the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel, thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen, and people as the sand which is on the sea shore in multitude: and they came up, and pitched in Michmash, eastward from Bethaven.
  • Hosea 4:15 Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

“calves” Hebrew H5697 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • Judges 14:18 And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.
  • Jeremiah 46:20 Egypt is like a very fair heifer, but destruction cometh; it cometh out of the north.

“inhabitants” Hebrew H7934 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
  • Psalms 44:13 Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.
  • Isaiah 33:24 And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.