Hosea 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The prophet sounds the alarm of a dreadful calamity, the description of which is most terribly worked up, Joe 2:1-11. Exhortation to repentance, fasting, and prayer, that the Divine judgments may be averted, Joe 2:12-17. God will in due time take vengeance on all the enemies of pure and undefiled religion, Joe 2:18-20. Great prosperity of the Jews subsequent to their return from the Babylonish captivity, Joe 2:21-27. Joel then makes an elegant transition to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, Joe 2:28-30; for so these verses are explained by one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. See Act 2:16-21. Prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, which was shortly to follow the opening of the Gospel dispensation, Act 2:31. Promises of safety to the faithful and penitent; promises afterwards remarkably fulfilled to the Christians in their escape to Pella from the desolating sword of the Roman army, Act 2:32.
Open source ↗APPLICATION OF THE SYMBOLS IN THE FIRST CHAPTER. (Hos. 2:1-23) Israel's spiritual fornication, and her threatened punishment: yet a promise of God's restored favor, when chastisements have produced their designed effect. Say . . . unto . . . brethren, Ammi, &c.--that is, When the prediction (Hos 1:11) shall be accomplished, then ye will call one another, as brothers and sisters in the family of God, Ammi and Ruhamah.
Open source ↗Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah. These words are to be considered either in connection with the latter part of the preceding chapter, and as directed to the sons of the living God, who had not been, but now were, "Ammi", the Lord's people; and who had not, but now have, "Ruhamah", obtained mercy; which grace and mercy shown them, it became them to speak of one to another, to affect their hearts mutually with it, and to glorify God for it, Mal 3:16 as also to speak of it to their carnal relations, that so, if it was the will of God, it might be of use to them, to show them the state they were in, the danger of it, their need of the grace and mercy of God, and the hope there was by their own instance and example of obtaining it; see Rom 9:1, or as directed to the converted Jews that appointed Christ their Head, and believed in him; exhorting them to own the believing Gentiles as their brethren and sisters, since they were the spiritual seed of Abraham their father, and walked in the steps of his faith; and to call them Ammi and Ruhamah, since they, who were not the people of God, now were, and who had not obtained mercy, now have obtained mercy, Pe1 2:10, or else they may be considered as in connection with the following words, plead with your mother; and that either as spoken to the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, who were the people of God, retained the pure worship of God, and obtained mercy of the Lord, Hos 1:7, "O ye Ammi and Ruhamah, that are the Lord's people, and he has had mercy on; stir up and exhort your brethren and sisters of the ten tribes, for so they were, notwithstanding their separation, Kg1 12:4, to contend with their mother, the body of the nation, about idolatry and departure from God;'' or as spoken to the godly among…
Open source ↗To confirm the certainty of this most joyful turn of events, the promise closes with the summons in Hosea 2;Hos 1:1-11 : "Say ye to your brethren: My people; and to your sisters, Favoured." The prophet "sees the favoured nation of the Lord (in spirit) before him, and calls upon its members to accost one another joyfully with the new name which had been given to them by God" (Hengstenberg). The promise attaches itself in form to the names of the children of the prophet. As their names of ill omen proclaimed the judgment of rejection, so is the salvation which awaits the nation in the future announced to it here by a simple alteration of the names into their opposite through the omission of the לא. So far as the fulfilment of this prophecy is concerned, the fact that the patriarchal promise of the innumerable multiplication of Israel is to be realized through the pardon and restoration of Israel, as the nation of the living God, shows clearly enough that we are not to look for this in the return of the ten tribes from captivity to Palestine, their native land. Even apart from the fact, that the historical books of the Bible (Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther) simply mention the return of a portion of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites, under Zerubbabel and Ezra, and that the numbers of the ten tribes, who may have attached themselves to the Judaeans on their return, or who returned to Galilee afterwards as years rolled by, formed but a very small fraction of the number that had been carried away (compare the remarks on Kg2 17:24); the attachment of these few to Judah could not properly be called a union of the sons of Israel and of the sons of Judah, and still less was it a fulfilment of the word, "They appoint themselves one head." As the union…
Open source ↗The first words of this chapter some make the close of the foregoing chapter, and add them to the promises which we have here of the great things God would do for them. When they shall have appointed Christ their head, and centered in him, then let them say to one another, with triumph and exultation (let the prophets say it to them, so the Chaldee - Comfort you, comfort you, my people, is now their commission), "say to them, Ammi, and Ruhamah; call them so again, for they shall no longer lie under the reproach and doom of Lo-ammi and Lo-ruhamah; they shall now be my people again, and shall obtain mercy." God's spiritual Israel, made up of Jews and Gentiles without distinction, shall call one another brethren and sisters, shall own one another for the people of God and beloved of him, and, for that reason, shall embrace one another, and stir up one another both to give thanks for and to walk worthy of this common salvation which they partake of. Or rather, because the following words seem to have a coherence with these, these also are designed for conviction and humiliation. The mother (Hos 2:2) seems to be the same with the brethren and sisters (Hos 2:1), the church of the ten tribes, the body of the people, who were brethren, and in a special manner with the heads and leaders, who were as the mother by whom the rest were brought up and nursed. But who are the children that must plead with their mother thus? Either, 1. The godly that were among them, that witnessed against the iniquities of the times, let them boldly go on to bear their testimony against the idolatries and gross corruptions that prevail among them. Let those that had not bowed the knee to Baal reason the case with those that had, and endeavour to convince them with such arguments as are here put into t…
Open source ↗2:1 Ammi—‘My people’: God will also restore the name of the third child to its covenantal meaning. • Ruhamah—‘The ones I love’: Israel will once again be the object of God’s love and compassion.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָחוֹת (ʼâchôwth, H269) — a sister (used very widely (like brother), literally and figuratively) רָחַם (râcham, H7355) — to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
Open source ↗רִיב (rîyb, H7378) — properly, to toss, i.e. grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. hold a… אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) זָנוּן (zânûwn, H2183) — adultery; figuratively, idolatry פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… נַאֲפוּף (naʼăphûwph, H5005) — adultery שַׁד (shad, H7699) — the breast of a woman or animal (as bulging)
Open source ↗פָּשַׁט (pâshaṭ, H6584) — to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe,… עָרוֹם (ʻârôwm, H6174) — nude, either partially or totally יָצַג (yâtsag, H3322) — to place permanently יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… שִׁית (shîyth, H7896) — to place (in a very wide application) צִיָּה (tsîyâh, H6723) — aridity; concretely, a desert אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill צָמָא (tsâmâʼ, H6772) — thirst (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗רָחַם (râcham, H7355) — to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זָנוּן (zânûwn, H2183) — adultery; figuratively, idolatry
Open source ↗אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… זָנָה (zânâh, H2181) — to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely… הָרָה (hârâh, H2029) — to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively) יָבֵשׁ (yâbêsh, H3001) — to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen צֶמֶר (tsemer, H6785) — wool פִּשְׁתֶּה (pishteh, H6593) — linen (i.e. the thread, as carded) שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
Open source ↗שׂוּךְ (sûwk, H7753) — to entwine, i.e. shut in (for formation, protection or restraint) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb סִיר (çîyr, H5518) — a pot; also a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook גָּדַר (gâdar, H1443) — to wall in or around גָּדֵר (gâdêr, H1447) — a circumvallation; by implication, an inclosure מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… נָתִיב (nâthîyb, H5410) — a (beaten) track
Open source ↗רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) נָשַׂג (nâsag, H5381) — to reach (literally or figuratively) בָּקַשׁ (bâqash, H1245) — to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to… מָצָא (mâtsâʼ, H4672) — properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… עַתָּה (ʻattâh, H6258) — at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain תִּירוֹשׁ (tîyrôwsh, H8492) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine יִצְהָר (yitshâr, H3323) — oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity
Open source ↗שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) דָּגָן (dâgân, H1715) — properly, increase, i.e. grain עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. תִּירוֹשׁ (tîyrôwsh, H8492) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense צֶמֶר (tsemer, H6785) — wool פִּשְׁתֶּה (pishteh, H6593) — linen (i.e. the thread, as carded) כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… עֶרְוָה (ʻervâh, H6172) — nudity, literally (especially the pudenda) or figuratively (disgrace, blemish)
Open source ↗גָּלָה (gâlâh, H1540) — to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being… נַבְלוּת (nablûwth, H5040) — properly, disgrace, i.e. the (female) pudenda עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗מָשׂוֹשׂ (mâsôws, H4885) — delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly (the feeling) שָׁבַת (shâbath, H7673) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative,… חַג (chag, H2282) — a festival, or a victim therefor חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month שַׁבָּת (shabbâth, H7676) — intermission, i.e (specifically) the Sabbath מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;…
Open source ↗שָׁמֵם (shâmêm, H8074) — to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e. devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both… גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape תְּאֵן (tᵉʼên, H8384) — the fig (tree or fruit) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֶתְנָה (ʼethnâh, H866) — a present (as the price of harlotry) אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees) חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) עָדָה (ʻâdâh, H5710) — to advance, i.e. pass on or continue; causatively, to remove; specifically, to bedeck… נֶזֶם (nezem, H5141) — a nose-ring חֶלְיָה (chelyâh, H2484) — a trinket יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) שָׁכַח (shâkach, H7911) — to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗פָּתָה (pâthâh, H6601) — to open, i.e. be (causatively, make) roomy; usually figuratively (in a mental or moral… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
And I will sow her as My own in the land, and I will have compassion on ‘No Compassion.’ I will say to those called ‘Not My People,’ ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people.
I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.
Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart.
They will be My people, and I will be their God.
Then you will live in the land that I gave your forefathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God.
This third I will bring through the fire;I will refine them like silverand test them like gold.They will call on My name,and I will answer them.I will say, ‘They are My people,’and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.
so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.