Hosea 1

King James Version

Full text for Hosea Chapter 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.

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.

3So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.

4And 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.

5And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

6And 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.

7But 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.

8¶ Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.

9Then said [God], Call his name Loammi: for ye [are] not my people, and I will not be your [God].

10Yet 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.

11Then 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The book of Hosea begins with the prophet being commanded by the LORD to marry Gomer, a "wife of whoredoms," to symbolize Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness. Their three children are given symbolic names: Jezreel, foretelling judgment on Israel's kingdom; Lo-ruhamah, signifying God's withdrawal of mercy from Israel; and Lo-ammi, declaring Israel is no longer God's people. Despite these pronouncements of judgment, the chapter concludes with a promise of future restoration, where Israel will be numerous and reunited with Judah, becoming "sons of the living God."

Medium Summary

Hosea 1 introduces the prophet Hosea and the historical context of his ministry during the reigns of various kings in Judah and Israel. The LORD instructs Hosea to marry Gomer, a "wife of whoredoms," as a living parable to illustrate Israel's widespread spiritual apostasy and unfaithfulness to God. Their first son is named Jezreel, signifying God's impending judgment upon the house of Jehu and the ultimate cessation of the kingdom of Israel, including the breaking of their military strength. Subsequently, their daughter is named Lo-ruhamah, meaning "no mercy," indicating God's withdrawal of compassion from the house of Israel, though mercy is promised to Judah, who will be saved by divine intervention. The third child, a son, is named Lo-ammi, meaning "not my people," symbolizing the complete severance of the covenant relationship due to Israel's persistent idolatry. Despite these severe pronouncements of judgment, the chapter concludes with a profound promise of future hope and restoration, where Israel will become as numerous as the sand and be called "sons of the living God." Furthermore, Judah and Israel will be gathered together under one head, marking a great "day of Jezreel" of reconciliation and return.

Long Summary

Hosea 1 establishes the prophetic ministry of Hosea, the son of Beeri, situating it within the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah in Judah, and Jeroboam II in Israel. The chapter immediately introduces a powerful symbolic act: the LORD commands Hosea to marry a "wife of whoredoms" and have "children of whoredoms." This unusual directive serves as a stark prophetic sign, illustrating the profound spiritual "whoredom" and unfaithfulness that the land of Israel had committed by departing from the LORD. Hosea obeys, taking Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, as his wife. Their first child, a son, is named Jezreel by divine command. This name carries a dual significance: it foretells God's impending vengeance upon the house of Jehu for the blood shed in the valley of Jezreel, and it prophesies the cessation of the kingdom of Israel, with their military power being broken in the same valley. The second child, a daughter, is named Lo-ruhamah, meaning "no mercy." This name symbolizes God's decision to no longer show mercy to the house of Israel, indicating a period of severe judgment and removal. However, a distinction is made, as God promises to show mercy to the house of Judah, saving them by His own power rather than by human military might. The third child, a son, is named Lo-ammi, meaning "not my people." This name represents the ultimate consequence of Israel's apostasy: the temporary annulment of their covenant relationship, where God declares they are no longer His people, and He will no longer be their God in that specific covenantal sense. These three symbolic names collectively paint a picture of divine judgment, the end of the Northern Kingdom, and the withdrawal of God's favor due to their unfaithfulness. Yet, the chapter shifts dramatically from judgment to a powerful promise of future restoration and hope. Despite the pronouncements of rejection, the LORD declares that the number of the children of Israel shall eventually be as the sand of the sea, immeasurable and countless. Furthermore, in the very place where they were told, "Ye are not my people," they shall instead be called "the sons of the living God," signifying a renewed and intimate relationship. The chapter concludes with a vision of unity, where the children of Judah and the children of Israel will be gathered together, appoint one head over them, and come up out of the land, proclaiming that "great shall be the day of Jezreel," transforming the site of judgment into a place of restoration and reunion.

Core Concepts

  • Symbolic MarriageHosea's marriage to Gomer, a "wife of whoredoms," is a divine command to visually represent Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry, portraying the nation's departure from the LORD as spiritual adultery.
  • Children's Symbolic NamesThe names of Hosea's three children—Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah, and Lo-ammi—are divinely appointed to prophetically declare God's judgment, withdrawal of mercy, and temporary severance of the covenant relationship with Israel.
  • Judgment on IsraelThe names Jezreel (cessation of kingdom, military defeat) and Lo-ruhamah (no mercy) signify God's impending severe judgment upon the Northern Kingdom of Israel due to their persistent sin and idolatry.
  • Withdrawal of CovenantThe name Lo-ammi ("not my people") symbolizes the temporary but profound breaking of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God declares His disassociation from them due to their unfaithfulness.
  • Mercy for JudahIn contrast to Israel's judgment, God explicitly states His intention to show mercy to the house of Judah, promising to save them by His own divine power rather than by human military strength.
  • Future Restoration and UnityDespite the severe judgments, the chapter concludes with a promise of future hope, where Israel will be numerous, called "sons of the living God," and reunited with Judah under one head, transforming the meaning of "Jezreel" into a day of gathering and renewal.
  • Spiritual WhoredomThe central metaphor of the chapter, "whoredom," describes Israel's idolatry and turning away from the LORD, likening their unfaithfulness to a spouse's betrayal in a marriage covenant.