Hosea 4:13 net — They sacrifice on the mountaintops, and burn offerings on the hills; they sacrifice under oak, poplar, and terebinth, b…

NET Bible

"They sacrifice on the mountaintops, and burn offerings on the hills; they sacrifice under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is so pleasant. As a result, your daughters have become cult prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery!"

— Hosea 4:13, NET Bible

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Hosea 4:13 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.”

  • ASV

    “They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters play the harlot, and your brides commit adultery. ”

  • WEB

    “They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because its shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the prostitute, and your brides commit adultery.”

  • DRB

    “They offered sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burnt incense upon the hills: under the oak, and the poplar, and the turpentine tree, because the shadow thereof was good: therefore shall your daughters commit fornication, and your spouses shall be adulteresses.”

  • BBE

    “They make offerings on the tops of mountains, burning perfumes in high places, under trees of every sort, because their shade is good: and so your daughters are given up to loose ways and your brides are false to their husbands.”

  • KJVA

    “They sacrifice upon the tops of the mountains, and burn incense upon the hills, under oaks and poplars and elms, because the shadow thereof is good: therefore your daughters shall commit whoredom, and your spouses shall commit adultery.”

Hosea 4 — Context

10

They will eat, but not be satisfied; they will engage in prostitution, but not increase in numbers; because they have abandoned the LORD by pursuing other gods.

11

Judgment of Pagan Idolatry and Cultic Prostitution Old and new wine take away the understanding of my people.

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 against their God.

13

They sacrifice on the mountaintops, and burn offerings on the hills; they sacrifice under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is so pleasant. As a result, your daughters have become cult prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery!

14

I will not punish your daughters when they commit prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men consort with harlots, they sacrifice with temple prostitutes. It is true:“A people that lacks understanding will come to ruin!”

15

Warning to Judah: Do Not Join in Israel’s Apostasy! Although you, O Israel, commit adultery, do not let Judah become guilty! Do not journey to Gilgal! Do not go up to Beth Aven! Do not swear,“As surely as the LORD lives!”

16

Israel has rebelled like a stubborn heifer! Soon the LORD will put them out to pasture like a lamb in a broad field!

Hosea 4:13 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Hosea 4:13 say?
Hosea 4:13 in the NET Bible reads: “They sacrifice on the mountaintops, and burn offerings on the hills; they sacrifice under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is so pleasant. As a result, your daughters have become cult prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery!”
Where is Hosea 4:13 in the Bible?
Hosea 4:13 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Hosea, chapter 4, verse 13.
Who wrote Hosea?
Hosea is traditionally attributed to Hosea son of Beeri. It was written c. 755–710 BC.
What is the book of Hosea about?
Hosea is commanded to marry an unfaithful woman as a living picture of God's steadfast love for an unfaithful Israel. Through heartbreak and pursuit, he proclaims that the LORD will not give up on his people even when they have given up on him.
What are the major themes of Hosea?
Hosea explores themes including Steadfast Love, Idolatry as Adultery, Pursuit, Repentance, Restoration. These themes shape the meaning and context of Hosea 4:13.
What translation should I read Hosea 4:13 in?
Hosea 4:13 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Hosea 4:13?
Hosea 4:13 reads (NET): “They sacrifice on the mountaintops, and burn offerings on the hills; they sacrifice under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is so pleasant. As a result, your daughters have become cult prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit adultery!” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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