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With their silver and gold they make idols for themselves to their own destruction. <a href="/nlt/hosea/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> The people have appointed kings without my consent, and princes without my approval. By making idols for themselves from their silver and gold, they have brought about their own destruction. <a href="/esv/hosea/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> They made kings, but not through me. They set up princes, but I knew it not. With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction. <a href="/bsb/hosea/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. <a href="/kjv/hosea/8.htm">King James Bible</a> They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off. <a href="/nkjv/hosea/8.htm">New King James Version</a> “They set up kings, but not by Me; They made princes, but I did not acknowledge them. From their silver and gold They made idols for themselves— That they might be cut off. <a href="/nasb_/hosea/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> They have set up kings, but not by Me; They have appointed officials, but I did not know it. With their silver and gold they have made idols for themselves, So that they will be eliminated. <a href="/nasb/hosea/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> They have set up kings, but not by Me; They have appointed princes, but I did not know it. With their silver and gold they have made idols for themselves, That they might be cut off. <a href="/nasb77/hosea/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> They have set up kings, but not by Me; They have appointed princes, but I did not know it. With their silver and gold they have made idols for themselves, That they might be cut off. <a href="/lsb/hosea/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> They have set up kings, but not by Me; They have appointed princes, but I did not know it. With their silver and gold they have made idols for themselves, That they might be cut off. <a href="/amp/hosea/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> They set up kings, but not from Me [therefore without My blessing]; They have appointed princes, but I did not know it. With their silver and their gold they made idols for themselves, That they might be cut off. <a href="/csb/hosea/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> They have installed kings, but not through me. They have appointed leaders, but without my approval. They make their silver and gold into idols for themselves for their own destruction. <a href="/hcsb/hosea/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> They have installed kings, but not through Me. They have appointed leaders, but without My approval. They make their silver and gold into idols for themselves for their own destruction. <a href="/asv/hosea/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> They have set up kings, but not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off. <a href="/cev/hosea/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You chose kings and leaders without consulting me; you made silver and gold idols that led to your downfall. <a href="/erv/hosea/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> They have set up kings, but not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off. <a href="/gwt/hosea/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "They chose their own kings, kings I didn't approve. They chose their own princes, princes I didn't know. They chose to make idols with their own silver and gold. Because of this, they will be destroyed. <a href="/gnt/hosea/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> "My people chose kings, but they did it on their own. They appointed leaders, but without my approval. They took their silver and gold and made idols--for their own destruction. <a href="/isv/hosea/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> They set kings in place, but not by me. They established princes, whom I did not recognize. They crafted idols for themselves from their silver and gold; as a result, they will be destroyed. <a href="/msb/hosea/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. <a href="/net/hosea/8.htm">NET Bible</a> They enthroned kings without my consent! They appointed princes without my approval! They made idols out of their silver and gold, but they will be destroyed! <a href="/nheb/hosea/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I did not approve. Of their silver and their gold they have made themselves idols, that they may be cut off. <a href="/wbt/hosea/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made for themselves idols, that they may be cut off. <a href="/web/hosea/8.htm">World English Bible</a> They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I didn’t approve. Of their silver and their gold they have made themselves idols, that they may be cut off. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hosea/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> They have made kings, and not by Me, "" They have made princes, and I have not known, "" Their silver and their gold they have made to them idols, "" So that they are cut off. <a href="/ylt/hosea/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> They have made kings, and not by Me, They have made princes, and I have not known, Their silver and their gold they have made to them idols, So that they are cut off. <a href="/slt/hosea/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> They made kings, and not from me: and they made princes, and I knew not: their silver and their gold they made to them images to cut off.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hosea/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> They have reigned, but not by me: they have been princes, and I knew not: of their silver, and their gold they have made idols to themselves, that they might perish. <a href="/cpdv/hosea/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> They have reigned, but not by me. Leaders have emerged, and I did not recognize them. Their silver and their gold, they have made into idols for themselves, so that they might cross over. <a href="/nabre/hosea/8.htm">New American Bible</a> They made kings, but not by my authority; they established princes, but without my knowledge. With their silver and gold they made idols for themselves, to their own destruction. <a href="/nrsvce/hosea/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They made kings, but not through me; they set up princes, but without my knowledge. With their silver and gold they made idols for their own destruction.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hosea/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> They have set up kings, but not by me; they have made princes, but they did not let me know; of their silver and their gold they have made idols to themselves, that they may perish. <a href="/hpbt/hosea/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> They took counsel, but not from me, and they were authorized and they did not inform me. Their silver and their gold they have made idols for themselves that they would be destroyed<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/hosea/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> They have set up kings, but not from Me, They have made princes, and I knew it not; Of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, That they may be cut off. <a href="/sep/hosea/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> They have made kings for themselves, but not by me: they have ruled, but they did not make it known to me: of their silver and their gold they have made images to themselves, that they might be destroyed. <a href="/parallel/hosea/8-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpPG1oLnpGk?start=1141" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/hosea/8.htm">Israel will Reap the Whirlwind</a> …3But Israel has rejected good; an enemy will pursue him. 4<a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">They</a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: him·lî·ḵū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">set up kings,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but not</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: mim·men·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">by Me.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7786.htm" title="7786: hê·śî·rū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- Make princes, have power, reign. A primitive root; properly, to vanquish; by implication, to rule.">They make princes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but without</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏā·‘ə·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">My approval.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: kas·pām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money.">With their silver</a> <a href="/hebrew/2091.htm" title="2091: ū·zə·hā·ḇām (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Gold. From an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky.">and gold</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">they make</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">themselves</a> <a href="/hebrew/6091.htm" title="6091: ‘ă·ṣab·bîm (N-mp) -- An idol. From atsab; an image.">idols,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4616.htm" title="4616: lə·ma·‘an (Conj) -- From anah; properly, heed, i.e. Purpose; used only adverbially, on account of, teleologically, in order that.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: yik·kā·rêṯ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">their own destruction.</a> 5He has rejected your calf, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7</a> And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king. <a href="/1_kings/12-20.htm">1 Kings 12:20</a> When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. <a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28-30</a> After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” / One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. / And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves. <a href="/1_kings/14-16.htm">1 Kings 14:16</a> So He will give Israel over on account of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit.” <a href="/2_kings/17-21.htm">2 Kings 17:21</a> When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. <a href="/jeremiah/2-11.htm">Jeremiah 2:11</a> Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But My people have exchanged their Glory for useless idols. <a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13</a> “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water. <a href="/jeremiah/7-30.htm">Jeremiah 7:30-31</a> For the people of Judah have done evil in My sight, declares the LORD. They have set up their abominations in the house that bears My Name, and so have defiled it. / They have built the high places of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-hinnom so they could burn their sons and daughters in the fire—something I never commanded, nor did it even enter My mind. <a href="/ezekiel/16-17.htm">Ezekiel 16:17</a> You also took the fine jewelry of gold and silver I had given you, and you made male idols with which to prostitute yourself. <a href="/ezekiel/23-5.htm">Ezekiel 23:5-7</a> Oholah prostituted herself while she was still Mine. She lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors / clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all desirable young men, horsemen mounted on steeds. / She offered sexual favors to all the elite of Assyria. She defiled herself with all the idols of those for whom she lusted. <a href="/matthew/15-9.htm">Matthew 15:9</a> They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’” <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. <a href="/mark/7-7.htm">Mark 7:7</a> They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ <a href="/luke/19-14.htm">Luke 19:14</a> But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’ <a href="/john/19-15.htm">John 19:15</a> At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.set.<a href="/1_kings/12-16.htm">1 Kings 12:16-20</a> So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents… <a href="/2_kings/15-10.htm">2 Kings 15:10-30</a> And Shallum the son of Jabesh conspired against him, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead… <a href="/matthew/25-12.htm">Matthew 25:12</a> But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.<a href="/luke/13-25.htm">Luke 13:25,27</a> When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: … <a href="/john/10-14.htm">John 10:14</a> I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.of.<a href="/hosea/2-8.htm">Hosea 2:8</a> For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.<a href="/hosea/13-2.htm">Hosea 13:2</a> And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.<a href="/1_kings/12-28.htm">1 Kings 12:28</a> Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.that they.<a href="/hosea/13-9.htm">Hosea 13:9</a> O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.<a href="/1_kings/13-34.htm">1 Kings 13:34</a> And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.<a href="/jeremiah/44-7.htm">Jeremiah 44:7,8</a> Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain; … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/6-11.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-19.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-36.htm">Approve</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-2.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/hosea/6-9.htm">Consent</a> <a href="/hosea/6-5.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/hosea/7-16.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/hosea/2-8.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/hosea/5-11.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/hosea/7-7.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/hosea/7-16.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/hosea/3-2.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/hosea/7-14.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hosea/9-5.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/malachi/1-8.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Approve</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-17.htm">Choose</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-9.htm">Consent</a> <a href="/hosea/10-7.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/hosea/8-8.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/joel/3-5.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/hosea/11-2.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/hosea/8-14.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/hosea/8-10.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/hosea/9-6.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/hosea/8-10.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Hosea 8</div>1. <a href="/hosea/8-1.htm">Destruction is threatened both to Israel and Judah for their impiety and idolatry.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hosea/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>They set up kings, but not by Me. This phrase highlights Israel's disobedience in appointing leaders without seeking God's guidance. Historically, Israel's monarchy began with God's approval when He chose Saul and later David. However, after Solomon's reign, the kingdom divided, and the northern kingdom of Israel often installed kings through political intrigue and rebellion, ignoring divine will. This reflects a broader biblical theme where human authority is established without God's blessing, leading to chaos and judgment, as seen in <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7-9</a> when Israel demanded a king to be like other nations.They make princes, but without My approval. The appointment of princes or leaders without God's consent further emphasizes Israel's self-reliance and rejection of divine authority. In the ancient Near East, rulers were often seen as divinely appointed, yet Israel's actions here show a departure from this belief. This mirrors the situation in <a href="/1_kings/12.htm">1 Kings 12</a>, where Jeroboam became king through popular support rather than divine selection, leading to idolatry and sin. The lack of divine approval signifies a breach in the covenant relationship between God and His people.With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, Idolatry was a persistent issue in Israel, directly violating the first two commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-4</a>). The use of silver and gold for idol-making indicates both the wealth and spiritual corruption of the people. Archaeological findings in ancient Israelite sites reveal numerous idols and religious artifacts, confirming the prevalence of idol worship. This practice was influenced by surrounding pagan cultures, such as the Canaanites, who worshipped Baal and Asherah. The prophets frequently condemned this syncretism, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/2-8.htm">Isaiah 2:8</a> and <a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Jeremiah 10:3-4</a>.to their own destruction. The consequence of idolatry and disobedience is destruction, a recurring theme in prophetic literature. Hosea warns that turning away from God leads to inevitable ruin, both spiritually and physically. This destruction is not only a result of divine judgment but also the natural outcome of abandoning God's protective covenant. The Assyrian conquest of Israel in 722 BC serves as a historical fulfillment of this prophecy, where the northern kingdom was destroyed due to its persistent idolatry and rebellion. This aligns with the warnings in <a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28</a> about the curses for disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/h/hosea.htm">Hosea</a> A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the Israelites. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The Northern Kingdom, often rebelling against God and engaging in idolatry during Hosea's time. 3. <a href="/topical/k/kings_and_princes.htm">Kings and Princes</a> Leaders established by the people of Israel without seeking God's guidance or approval. 4. <a href="/topical/i/idols.htm">Idols</a> Objects of worship made from silver and gold, representing the people's departure from worshiping the true God. 5. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The sovereign Lord who desires His people to seek His will in all matters, including leadership and worship.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a> Recognize that God desires to be involved in the selection of leaders. We should seek His guidance in leadership decisions, both in personal and communal contexts. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a> Understand that idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can also be anything that takes the place of God in our lives. Reflect on what modern "idols" might be present in our lives. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a> Acknowledge that actions taken without God's approval can lead to destruction. This serves as a warning to align our decisions with God's will. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_god's_approval.htm">The Importance of Seeking God's Approval</a> Emphasize the need for prayer and discernment in all decisions, ensuring they align with God's purposes and commands. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_return_to_god.htm">Repentance and Return to God</a> Encourage turning away from self-made idols and returning to a faithful relationship with God, seeking His forgiveness and guidance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hosea_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hosea 8</a> <a href="/q/how_did_israel_appoint_kings_without_god.htm">Hosea 8:4: How could Israel set up kings without God’s approval if He is sovereign over all nations? </a> <a href="/q/does_psalm_45's_royal_imagery_conflict.htm">Could the royal imagery in Psalm 45 conflict with other Old Testament passages warning against over-glorifying human rulers?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_hosea_2_3_loving_and_merciful.htm">How does Hosea 2:3 align with a loving and merciful God if He threatens to strip Israel bare like a barren land?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_israel_condemned_for_alliances.htm">Hosea 8:10: If alliances were necessary for survival in the ancient Near East, why is Israel condemned for making them?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hosea/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Set up kings.--It is possible that the prophet alludes to the history of the northern kingdom as a whole. Though the revolt of the Ten Tribes received Divine sanction (<a href="/context/1_kings/11-9.htm" title="And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared to him twice,">1Kings 11:9-11</a>), it was obviously contrary to the Divine and prophetic idea which associated the growth of true religion with the line of David (<a href="/hosea/3-5.htm" title="Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.">Hosea 3:5</a>). But it is best to regard the passage as referring to the short reigns of usurpers and to the foul murders which disgraced the annals of the northern kingdom since the death of Jeroboam II. Jehovah repudiates all participation in their anarchy.Knew it not.--Should be, knew them not--viz., the gold and silver splendours wherewith Israel had adorned its apostacy.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hosea/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not. Here was the first instance and evidence of Israel's rejection of Jehovah. Their conduct was not guided by Divine direction, nor in obedience to the Divine will, nor with the Divine sanction. This state of things began with Israel's revolt from the house of David, and rebellion against the son of Solomon their legitimate sovereign, and was repeated in subsequent usurpations. Perhaps we may go further back, even to the appointment of the first king of the yet undivided kingdom, when "the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them." Usurpations such as those of Zimri, Omri, and Shallum at least are comprehended in the appointments referred to - appointments on making which the people did not inquire of the Lord, nor act under his guidance, nor seek his sanction. Some go so far as to include all the kings of Israel that succeeded Jeroboam. Thus Cyril says, "He denies the kingdom of Israel and his successors on the throne of Israel." Aben Ezra also extends the statement to the kings of the northern kingdom from the days of Jeroboam: "They inquired not of God with respect to the making of Jeroboam king, although it is written, ' Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee whom the Lord thy God shall choose.'" A seeming contradiction here exists between the statement of the prophet here and that in <a href="/1_kings/11-37.htm">1 Kings 11:37</a>, where God promises by the Prophet Ahijah, "I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel," and the fact of Jehu's anointing being ordered by the Prophet Elisha, who sent one of the children of the prophets for that purpose with the words, "Thus saith the Lord, I have anointed thee king over Israel." The plotting of Jeroboam, and the conspiracy of Jehu against Joram, and the conspiracies of other usurpers, were things which God could not approve; and so we must distinguish between the permission and approval of Jehovah; in his government he permits many things which from his nature we know he does not and cannot approve. השירו is usually and properly rendered, "they have made princes;" but Aben Ezra and Rashi translate it as הסידו equivalent to "they have removed;" while the Massora reckon השרו in the number of those words which are written with shin but are read and explained with samech. Some manuscripts also of Kennicett and De Rossi have הסירו. Of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they (literally, it) may be cut off. This is a second proof of Israel's renunciation of Jehovah. They used their gold in making the idolatrous calves, and their silver in supporting their idolatrous worship; or they made the idol-calves, some of silver, and others of gold. The consequence rather than the purpose is the destruction of it, namely, the gold and silver; or the ruin of the kingdom or of each member of it; or the cutting off of their name, according to Kimchi. The word לְמַעַן, like ἱνα in Greek, is generally relic, denoting "purpose;" nor is it ecbatic here, denoting "result," though, according to the Hebrew mode of thought, design and consequence often coincide. Its meaning here is well explained by Keil, לי describes the consequence of this conduct, which, though not designed, was nevertheless inevitable, as if it had been distinctly intended." <a href="/commentaries/hosea/8-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>They הֵ֤ם (hêm) Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They set up kings, הִמְלִיכוּ֙ (him·lî·ḵū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel but not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no by Me. מִמֶּ֔נִּי (mim·men·nî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of They make princes, הֵשִׂ֖ירוּ (hê·śî·rū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8323.htm">Strong's 8323: </a> To be or act as prince, rule but without וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no My approval. יָדָ֑עְתִּי (yā·ḏā·‘ə·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know With their silver כַּסְפָּ֣ם (kas·pām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3701.htm">Strong's 3701: </a> Silver, money and gold וּזְהָבָ֗ם (ū·zə·hā·ḇām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2091.htm">Strong's 2091: </a> Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky they make עָשׂ֤וּ (‘ā·śū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make themselves לָהֶם֙ (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> idols, עֲצַבִּ֔ים (‘ă·ṣab·bîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6091.htm">Strong's 6091: </a> An, image to לְמַ֖עַן (lə·ma·‘an) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4616.htm">Strong's 4616: </a> Purpose -- intent their own destruction. יִכָּרֵֽת׃ (yik·kā·rêṯ) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hosea/8-4.htm">Hosea 8:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hosea/8-4.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 8:4 They have set up kings but not (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/8-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 8:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 8:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/8-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 8:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 8:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>