Introduction to Hosea

The prophet Hosea intentionally marries an unfaithful woman to symbolically portray God’s relationship with unfaithful Israel. Hosea’s prophecies elaborate on this metaphor, calling Israel to account for idolatry and foretelling judgment, but also promising God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s mistakes.

Background

Hosea is the first of 12 short prophetic books known as the Minor Prophets. In the Hebrew Bible version of the Old Testament, these are collected into a single work called “The Book of the Twelve” (or simply “The Twelve”) because they were originally contained together on one scroll.

Hosea prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel from approximately 750 to 715 bc. This was a time of upheaval and uncertainty. Hosea prophesies the fall of Israel, but does not report the fulfillment of the prophecy—which came in 722 bc when the Assyrian Empire conquered Israel’s capital, Samaria. Although Hosea’s proclamations are directed mostly at Israel, the book probably was compiled in Judah (the southern kingdom). This is suggested by the rulers listed in Hos 1:1, most of whom are kings of Judah; the only king of Israel mentioned here is Jeroboam II (ca. 786–746 bc; 2 Kgs 14:23–29).

Structure

There are two major sections in Hosea. The first section (Hos 1–3) is Hosea’s symbolic enactment of God’s relationship with Israel by his marriage with an adulterous woman, Gomer. This marriage takes place at God’s direction and results in three children who are given symbolic names (Hos 1:4, 6, 9). After Gomer leaves Hosea for another man, Hosea is told to once again love an adulterous woman, possibly indicating that he is to reconcile with Gomer and redeem her from slavery (Hos 3:1–2). Hosea’s marriage represents God’s relationship with Israel, while Gomer’s adultery represents Israel’s idolatry.

The second section of Hosea (Hos 4–14) is a collection of prophecies articulating the message behind Hosea’s actions. The prophecies of this section are largely delivered in the voice of Yahweh. They use a variety of metaphors to portray the Israelites’ unfaithfulness and God’s judgment against their disobedience, as well as God’s unrelenting love for His people and His promise to restore them.

Outline

• Hosea’s symbolic family (Hos 1:1–3:5)

• Prophecies revealing the message behind the symbols (Hos 4:1–14:9)

Themes

The main concern of Hosea is Israel’s unfaithfulness and God’s faithful response. Portraying idolatry as adultery is not unique to Hosea; other biblical books represent God’s relationship with Israel as a marriage and depict idol worship as an adulterous violation of the covenant—the contractual agreement—between God and His people (Exod 24:1–8). Hosea explains this symbolism in greater depth than usual—especially in the book’s first section, where the metaphors become realities in Hosea’s own family.

Hosea’s adulterous wife, Gomer, has three children—one (Jezreel) who is identified as Hosea’s son, and two whose father is not indicated (Hos 1:4–9). God commands Hosea to give the latter two children names that represent Israel’s distance from God: lo-ruchamah (translated as “not pitied” or “not loved”) and lo-ammi (literally, “not my people”). Just as Hosea’s commitment to Gomer shows God’s ongoing love for Israel, the children’s names ultimately demonstrate covenant renewal: God says He will have pity on “Not Pitied” and will say “You are my people” to “Not My People” (Hos 2:23).

The second section of Hosea uses other images for Israel’s unfaithfulness to God. For example, Israel is like a calf that needs to be tamed (Hos 10:11), and Israel is God’s wayward son (Hos 11:1–4). But even amid Israel’s disobedience and Hosea’s warnings of judgment, the book’s ultimate message is a promise of God’s love: He will continue to cherish His people—and when they return to Him, He will restore them.

Hosea’s hard-hitting depiction of Israel as a cheating wife reveals the depth of God’s pain—and His love. More than anything, He wants intimacy with His people, but they continually reject Him. The metaphor challenges us to consider our own unfaithfulness to God; it asks us to seriously examine the ways in which we cheat on God. The metaphor also reveals God’s enduring faithfulness toward us: He calls us back to Him and to a more fulfilling life marked by faithfulness.

Further Reading

The Minor Prophets

Hosea, Book of CLBD

Hosea the Prophet CLBD