Book of Hosea - Chapter 2 - Verse 5

The verse "For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink" from the book of Hosea in the Bible is a metaphorical description of how the Israelites have turned away from God and pursued other gods and idols for their needs. In this verse, God uses the analogy of a mother who has abandoned her children to seek fulfillment from other sources. The mother symbolizes Israel, while the lovers represent the false gods and idols that the Israelites have turned to for sustenance and provision. Instead of relying on God, who has provided for them and taken care of their needs, they have sought after material things and worldly pleasures. This verse serves as a warning against idolatry and the dangers of putting our trust in anything other than God.

In this verse, the prophet Hosea uses the imagery of a harlot to symbolize Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes the idea that God views idolatry as a form of spiritual adultery. The word 'harlot' here carries strong connotations of betrayal and infidelity, highlighting Israel's abandonment of their covenant relationship with God in favor of pursuing earthly desires and relationships. The use of 'bread and water, wool and flax, oil and drink' as the things Israel's 'lovers' provide emphasizes the material benefits Israel believed they would receive by turning away from God. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pursuing worldly pleasures over a faithful relationship with God.