Hosea 1

Superscription

1:1¹ This is the word of the Lord which was revealed to Hosea² son of Beeri during the time when³ Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah ruled Judah,⁴ and during the time when Jeroboam son of Joash⁵ ruled Israel.⁶

Symbols of Sin and Judgment: The Prostitute and Her Children

1:2 When the Lord first spoke⁷ through⁸ Hosea, he⁹ said to him,¹⁰ “Go marry¹¹ a prostitute¹² who will bear illegitimate children conceived through prostitution,¹³ because the nation¹⁴ continually commits spiritual prostitution¹⁵ by turning away from¹⁶ the Lord.” 1:3 So Hosea married¹⁷ Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim. Then she conceived and gave birth to a son for him. 1:4 Then the Lord said to Hosea,¹⁸ “Name him ‘Jezreel,’ because in a little while I will punish¹⁹ the dynasty²⁰ of Jehu on account of the bloodshed²¹ in the valley of Jezreel,²² and I will put an end to the kingdom²³ of Israel.²⁴ 1:5 At that time,²⁵ I will destroy the military power²⁶ of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.”

1:6 She conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the Lord²⁷ said to him, “Name her ‘No Pity’ (Lo-Ruhamah) because I will no longer have pity²⁸ on the nation²⁹ of Israel. For³⁰ I will certainly not forgive³¹ their guilt.³² 1:7 But I will have pity on the nation³³ of Judah.³⁴ I will deliver them by the Lord their God; I will not deliver them by the warrior’s bow, by sword, by military victory,³⁵ by chariot horses, or by chariots.”³⁶

1:8 When³⁷ she had weaned ‘No Pity’ (Lo-Ruhamah) she conceived again and gave birth to another son. 1:9 Then the Lord³⁸ said: “Name him ‘Not My People’ (Lo-Ammi), because you³⁹ are not my people and I am not your⁴⁰ God.”⁴¹

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