As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.

HOSEA 11:2KJV
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Hosea 11:2 (KJV)

What does Hosea 11:2 mean?

Hosea 11:2 describes Israel turning away despite repeated calls. The people directed their worship toward the Baals, offering sacrifices and burning incense before carved images. The verse contrasts the calls they received with the actions they chose.

After God calls Israel his son in verse 1, the language shifts to “they” and “them.” The KJV leaves the callers unnamed, but the sentence stresses that the people moved farther away as the calls continued.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 11:2

  • “Baalim” — בְּעָלִים (beʿalim): The word is a plural form of “Baal,” a name used for gods worshipped in the region. The plural points to Baal worship in its various local forms.
  • “images” — פְּסִלִים (pesilim): The word refers to carved objects. Along with “graven,” it pictures the images as objects shaped by human hands.

Why Hosea 11:2 matters

  • The verse describes more than a private change of belief. “They sacrificed” and “burned incense” point to visible acts of worship.
  • Hosea places the people’s response alongside God’s care for them. Verse 3 continues with the picture of teaching a child to walk and taking the child in one’s arms.

Where else these words appear

“images” Hebrew H6456 · used in 23 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:22 But he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as did Manasseh his father: for Amon sacrificed unto all the carved images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them;
  • Isaiah 30:22 Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.

“Baalim” Hebrew H1168 · used in 68 verses

  • Judges 2:11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
  • 1 Kings 19:18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
  • 2 Chronicles 17:3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

“incense” Hebrew H6999 · used in 112 verses

  • Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
  • Leviticus 9:20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

“sacrificed” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 1:21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
  • 2 Chronicles 11:16 And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.