The word of the Lord that camea to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah,b Jotham,c Ahazd and Hezekiah,e kings of Judah,f and during the reign of Jeroboamg son of Jehoasha king of Israel:h

Hosea’s Wife and Children

2 When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuousi woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulnessj to the Lord.” 3 So he married Gomerk daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.

4 Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel,l because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 5 In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.m”

6 Gomern conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call her Lo-Ruhamah (which means “not loved”),o for I will no longer show love to Israel,p that I should at all forgive them. 7 Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow,q sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God,r will save them.”

8 After she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah,s Gomer had another son.