According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.

HOSEA 13:6KJV
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Hosea 13:6 (KJV)

What does Hosea 13:6 mean?

Hosea 13:6 describes how, after the people of Israel were provided for and satisfied, they became proud in their hearts and forgot God. The verse points out a pattern: abundance led to self-exaltation, which resulted in neglecting their relationship with God.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Hosea to the people of Israel, reminding them of their history. When God gave them good pasture and met their needs, they became complacent and self-reliant. This warning highlights how prosperity can sometimes lead people to forget the One who provided for them in the first place.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 13:6

  • "Pasture" (מִרְעֶה, mir'eh): This word refers to the land or provision God gave, emphasizing that their abundance came directly from Him, not from their own efforts.
  • "Filled" (שָׂבַע, sava): Used twice, this word means to be satisfied or have enough. The repetition stresses how completely God met their needs.
  • "Heart" (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the heart is the center of a person’s will and desires, not just emotions. Their inner self became proud, not just their outward actions.
  • "Exalted" (רוּם, rum): This word means to be lifted up or become proud. It shows that their pride was a direct result of their satisfaction.
  • "Forgotten" (שָׁכַח, shakach): This word means to ignore or neglect, not just a lapse in memory. Israel’s forgetfulness was an active turning away from God.

Why Hosea 13:6 matters

  • Hosea 13:6 warns that material blessing can lead to spiritual complacency if people lose sight of the source of their provision.
  • The verse connects Israel’s pride and forgetfulness directly to their prosperity, showing that spiritual danger can come not just from hardship but also from abundance.
  • This verse fits into Hosea’s larger message, where God repeatedly calls Israel to remember Him and not let comfort or success draw them away from faithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“pasture” Hebrew H4830 · used in 10 verses

  • Psalms 74:1 Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?
  • Psalms 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
  • Jeremiah 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

“filled” Hebrew H7646 · used in 92 verses

  • Exodus 16:8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.
  • Psalms 88:3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
  • Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

“forgotten” Hebrew H7911 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 27:45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
  • Psalms 13:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
  • Proverbs 31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.