FocusUnfaithfulness, judgment, and restoration
Connection to the wholeThe family imagery establishes the book's portrayal of Israel's unfaithfulness and the LORD's announced purpose of restoration.
interpretation Hosea 1:6
KJVAnd she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
Read it in context
Hosea’s Wife and Children
Start reading at Hosea 1:1 (Hosea 1:1 to Hosea 1:11).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The family imagery establishes the book's portrayal of Israel's unfaithfulness and the LORD's announced purpose of restoration.
- 1:1 The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
- 1:2 The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
- 1:3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.
- 1:4 And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
- 1:5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.
- 1:6 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
- 1:7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.
- 1:8 Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.
- 1:9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.
- 1:10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
- 1:11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Hosea son of Beeri is the named prophet and traditional author of the collected message. Biblical references: Hosea 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Hosea 1:1–3:5): Hosea, Gomer, and their children appear in the prophetic family signs addressed to Israel. The marriage imagery explains Israel's relationship with the LORD. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Primarily the northern kingdom of Israel, often called Ephraim, with warnings also concerning Judah. Biblical references: Hosea 4:1; Hosea 5:1; Hosea 5:5. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Hosea’s Wife and Children. Read Hosea 1:1 through Hosea 1:11 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The family imagery establishes the book's portrayal of Israel's unfaithfulness and the LORD's announced purpose of restoration. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The opening names kings of Judah and Jeroboam of Israel. The oracles address that setting while also announcing future judgment and restoration. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Israel, especially the northern kingdom, is central; the poetry also recalls Egypt, wilderness, and other places in the covenant story. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Hosea’s Wife and Children (Hosea 1:1 to Hosea 1:11). Start reading at Hosea 1:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Matthew applies Hosea's words about calling the son out of Egypt to Jesus. Hosea's immediate passage recalls Israel's history, so the later application and the original reference should both be stated. See Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Respond to the call to return with faithful conduct rather than empty religious activity. Marriage imagery should be read as the book's covenant portrayal, not casually imposed on a reader's private circumstances. interpretation
Cited: Hosea 1:1, Hosea 1:11, Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15
Who wrote it, and how we know
Hosea
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD that came to Hosea.
Hosea 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Hosea.
Related passages
- Lo-ruhamah Hos 2:23 1 Pet 2:10
- for 2 Kgs 17:6,23-41 Isa 27:11
- no more have Hos 9:15-17
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Hosea 1
Hosea's opening names the reigns associated with his ministry. Marriage and family imagery portray the LORD's relationship with Israel; distinguish enacted signs, poetic speech, and direct exhortation. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Hosea 1:1 Hosea 3:1 Hosea 14:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Hosea
Hosea's opening names the reigns associated with his ministry. Marriage and family imagery portray the LORD's relationship with Israel; distinguish enacted signs, poetic speech, and direct exhortation.
Hosea 1:1 Hosea 3:1 Hosea 14:1
FocusUnfaithfulness, judgment, and restoration
Connection to the wholeThe family imagery establishes the book's portrayal of Israel's unfaithfulness and the LORD's announced purpose of restoration.
interpretation The case against Israel
Hosea 4:1–10:15FocusIdolatry, injustice, and false security
Connection to the wholeThe oracles expose the people's and leaders' failures and announce the consequences of their refusal to return.
interpretation The LORD's love and the call to return
Hosea 11:1–14:9FocusMemory, judgment, and healing
Connection to the wholeThe closing movement recalls the relationship, renews the indictment, and ends with an appeal to return and a promise of healing.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.