Now they sin more and more, And have made themselves molten images of their silver, Even idols according to their own understanding, All of them the work of the craftsmen. They say of them, "They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves."
"Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves ..."  Despite the uncertainties and the problems of the Hebrew text in this place, the depravity of the onceworshippers of God is starkly revealed.  "Behind Hosea's statement is an utter disgust, unmatched elsewhere."[6]  How incredible was it that intelligent men should kiss the image of a bull calf!