Hos 2:5 | TNotes | STEP | 2:5 The only evidence needed to prove Israel’s unfaithfulness comes from her own words: I’ll run after other lovers . Israel’s lovers were the Canaanite fertility deities, especially the baals (local representations of Baal). The Israelites worshiped them because they believed that these gods controlled the reproductive forces in nature. The Israelites attributed to them the basic necessities of life, food and water , their clothing of wool and linen , and oil , used for both sacred and secular purposes.

‏ Hosea 2:5

2:5 ^a The only evidence needed to prove Israel’s unfaithfulness comes from her own words: I’ll run after other lovers. Israel’s lovers were the Canaanite fertility deities, especially the baals (local representations of Baal). The Israelites worshiped them because they believed that these gods controlled the reproductive forces in nature. The Israelites attributed to them the basic necessities of life, food and water, their clothing of wool and linen, and oil, used for both sacred and secular purposes.