---
title: "Commentary on Hosea"
author: "John Calvin"
translator: "John Owen"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 85 of 86
url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-hosea/85/
cite: "John Calvin, tr. John Owen, Commentary on Hosea, section 85. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-hosea/85/"
---

# Commentary on Hosea

*John Calvin, tr. John Owen*

Calvin on Hosea, the prophet of a faithful God and an unfaithful people.

## 85. Chapter 13

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-hosea/85/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-hosea/85/#p-N

[¶0] 1 When Ephraim spoke there was trembling; He exalted himself in Israel: But he sinned by Baal and died.

[¶1] 2 And now they have added to their sin, And have made for themselves what is molten, From their silver, according to their own understanding, Even idols — all being the work of artificers: To each other they, who sacrifice men, say, — “Let them kiss the calves.”

[¶2] 3 They shall therefore be like a morning cloud, Like the dew that rises up early, Like the chaff which is driven by a whirlwind from the floor, And like the smoke from the chimney.

[¶3] 4 But I, Jehovah, am thy God from the land of Egypt; And a god besides me thou shouldst not know; For a Savior, there is none except me.

[¶4] 5 I knew thee in the desert, in the land of droughts:

[¶5] 6 According to their pastures they were filled; (459) They were filled, and their heart was elevated: And hence they forgat me.

[¶6] 7 I will therefore be to them as a lion, As a leopard in the way I will lie in wait;

[¶7] 8 I will meet them as a bereaved bear, And rend the inclosure of their heart; I will devour them as a lion; — The beast of the field shall tear them.

[¶8] 9 Destroyed art thou, Israel, Though in me was thy help: (464)

[¶9] 10 I will be the same; — thy king, where is he? To save thee in all thy cities, — And thy princes? — of whom thou hast said — “Give me a king and princes.”

[¶10] 11 I gave thee a king in my anger, And took him away in my fury.

[¶11] 12 Sealed up is the iniquity of Ephraim, Laid up in store is his sin.

[¶12] 13 The sorrows of one in travail shall come on him; He is an unwise son; For he should not stand long in the breaking forth of children.

[¶13] 14 From the power of the grave would I deliver them, From death would I redeem them; I would be thy perdition, O death; I would be thy destruction, O grave: — Repentance is hid from my eyes.

[¶14] 15 Though among his brethren he may increase, Yet there shall come an east wind The wind of Jehovah, ascending from the desert; And it will dry up his spring, And dried shall be his fountain; It will spoil the store of every desirable vessel.

[¶15] 16 Desolated shall be Samaria, For she has provoked her God: By the sword shall they fall; Their infants shall be dashed in pieces, Their pregnant women shall be ripped up.