Book of Hosea - Chapter 8 - Verse 5

The verse "Thy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?" from the book of Hosea in the Bible is a powerful message from God to the people of Samaria. In this verse, the calf symbolizes the people of Samaria who have turned away from God and have been led astray by their own desires. God's anger is kindled against them because of their disobedience and idolatry. The question posed in the verse reflects God's frustration with the people's continued sinfulness and his desire for them to repent and return to him. The use of the calf metaphor emphasizes the people's betrayal and the severity of their actions. The verse serves as a warning to the people of Samaria to seek forgiveness and strive for innocence before it is too late. It highlights the importance of turning away from sin and seeking reconciliation with God in order to attain true innocence and redemption.

In this verse, the mention of "thy calf, O Samaria" refers to the idol worship that the people of Samaria were participating in. The calf was a common symbol of pagan worship during that time, and the prophet is addressing the people's betrayal of God by turning to false idols. The anger of God is kindled against them because of their disobedience and unfaithfulness. The question posed, "how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?" reflects the prophet's plea for the people to turn away from their sinful ways and return to God's path of righteousness. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the theme of God's righteousness and the consequences of idol worship. Through word studies, we can understand the significance of the calf as a symbol of false gods and the importance of innocence in the eyes of God. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to God and the need for repentance in order to attain true innocence in His sight.