Hosea Chapter 2

Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished

1Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.

2Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;

3Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.

4And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.

5For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.

6Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.

7And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.

8For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.

9Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.

10And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.

11I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.

12And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These are my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.

13And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.

God's Mercy to Israel

14Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.

15And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

16And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.

17For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.

18And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

19And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

20I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

21And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;

22And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.

23And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

Israel’s Adultery Rebuked

1 “Say to your brothers, ‘My people!’ and to your sisters, ‘My loved one!’

2 Contend with your mother! Contend, for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband; and let her put away her prostitution from her face, and her adulteries from between her breasts;

3 Lest I strip her naked, and make her bare as in the day that she was born, and make her like a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and kill her with thirst.

4 Indeed, on her children I will have no mercy; for they are children of unfaithfulness;

5 For their mother has played the prostitute. She who conceived them has done shamefully; for she said, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.’

6 Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, and I will build a wall against her, that she can’t find her way.

7 She will follow after her lovers, but she won’t overtake them; and she will seek them, but won’t find them. Then she will say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.’

8 For she did not know that I gave her the grain, the new wine, and the oil, and multiplied to her silver and gold, which they used for Baal.

9 Therefore I will take back my grain in its time, and my new wine in its season, and will pluck away my wool and my flax which should have covered her nakedness.

10 Now I will uncover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one will deliver her out of my hand.

11 I will also cause all her celebrations to cease: her feasts, her new moons, her Sabbaths, and all her solemn assemblies.

12 I will lay waste her vines and her fig trees, about which she has said, ‘These are my wages that my lovers have given me; and I will make them a forest,’ and the animals of the field shall eat them.

13 I will visit on her the days of the Baals, to which she burned incense, when she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and went after her lovers, and forgot me,” says Yahweh.

God’s Mercy to Israel

14 “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.

15 I will give her vineyards from there, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope; and she will respond there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

16 It will be in that day,” says Yahweh, “that you will call me ‘my husband,’ and no longer call me ‘my master.’

17 For I will take away the names of the Baals out of her mouth, and they will no longer be mentioned by name.

18 In that day I will make a covenant for them with the animals of the field, and with the birds of the sky, and with the creeping things of the ground. I will break the bow, the sword, and the battle out of the land, and will make them lie down safely.

19 I will betroth you to me forever. Yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, in justice, in loving kindness, and in compassion.

20 I will even betroth you to me in faithfulness; and you shall know Yahweh.

21 It will happen in that day, I will respond,” says Yahweh, “I will respond to the heavens, and they will respond to the earth;

22 and the earth will respond to the grain, and the new wine, and the oil; and they will respond to Jezreel.

23 I will sow her to me in the earth; and I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; and I will tell those who were not my people, ‘You are my people;’ and they will say, ‘My God!’”

Israel’s Adultery Rebuked

1 “Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’ a

and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’ b

2 Rebuke your mother,

rebuke her,

for she is not My wife,

and I am not her husband.

Let her remove the adultery from her face

and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts.

3 Otherwise, I will strip her naked

and expose her like the day of her birth.

I will make her like a desert

and turn her into a parched land,

and I will let her die of thirst.

4 I will have no compassion on her children,

because they are the children of adultery.

5 For their mother has played the harlot

and has conceived them in disgrace.

For she thought,

‘I will go after my lovers,

who give me bread and water,

wool and linen, oil and drink.’

6 Therefore, behold,

I will hedge up her path c with thorns;

I will enclose her with a wall,

so she cannot find her way.

7 She will pursue her lovers but not catch them;

she will seek them but not find them.

Then she will say,

‘I will return to my first husband,

for then I was better off than now.’

8 For she does not acknowledge

that it was I who gave her grain,

new wine, and oil,

who lavished on her silver and gold—

which they crafted for Baal.

9 Therefore I will take back My grain in its time

and My new wine in its season;

I will take away My wool and linen,

which were given to cover her nakedness.

10 And then I will expose her lewdness

in the sight of her lovers,

and no one will deliver her

out of My hands.

11 I will put an end to all her exultation:

her feasts, New Moons, and Sabbaths—

all her appointed feasts.

12 I will destroy her vines and fig trees,

which she thinks are the wages paid by her lovers.

So I will make them into a thicket,

and the beasts of the field will devour them.

13 I will punish her for the days of the Baals

when she burned incense to them,

when she decked herself with rings and jewelry,

and went after her lovers.

But Me she forgot,”

declares the LORD.

God’s Mercy to Israel

14 “Therefore, behold, I will allure her

and lead her to the wilderness,

and speak to her tenderly.

15 There I will give back her vineyards

and make the Valley of Achor d

into a gateway of hope.

There she will respond as she did

in the days of her youth,

as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

16 In that day,”

declares the LORD,

“you will call Me ‘my Husband,’ e

and no longer call Me ‘my Master.’ f

17 For I will remove from her lips the names of the Baals;

no longer will their names be invoked.

18 On that day I will make a covenant for them

with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air

and the creatures that crawl on the ground.

And I will abolish bow and sword

and weapons of war in the land,

and will make them lie down in safety.

19 So I will betroth you to Me forever;

I will betroth you in righteousness and justice,

in loving devotion g and compassion.

20 And I will betroth you in faithfulness,

and you will know the LORD.”

21 “On that day I will respond—”

declares the LORD—

“I will respond to the heavens,

and they will respond to the earth.

22 And the earth will respond to the grain,

to the new wine and oil,

and they will respond to Jezreel. h

23 And I will sow her as My own in the land,

and I will have compassion on ‘No Compassion.’ i

I will say to those called ‘Not My People,’ j

‘You are My people,’ k

and they will say,

‘You are my God.’ ”

Footnotes:

1 a Hebrew Ammi
1 b Or Mercy is shown ; Hebrew Ruhamah , which means she has received mercy
6 c Hebrew your path
15 d Achor  means trouble .
16 e Hebrew my Ishi
16 f Hebrew my Baal
19 g Forms of the Hebrew chesed  are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion ; the range of meaning includes love , goodness , kindness , faithfulness , and mercy , as well as loyalty to a covenant .
22 h Jezreel  means God sows .
23 i Hebrew Lo-ruhamah ; LXX I will love her who was not loved
23 j Hebrew Lo-ammi
23 k Cited in Romans 9:25 and 1 Peter 2:10

Israel's Unfaithfulness Punished

1'Say ye to your brethren -- Ammi, And to your sisters -- Ruhamah.

2Plead ye with your mother -- plead, (For she is not My wife, and I am not her husband,) And she turneth her whoredoms from before her, And her adulteries from between her breasts,

3Lest I strip her naked. And have set her up as in the day of her birth, And have made her as a wilderness, And have set her as a dry land, And have put her to death with thirst.

4And her sons I do not pity, For sons of whoredoms are they,

5For gone a-whoring hath their mother, Acted shamefully hath their conceiver, For she hath said, I go after my lovers, Those giving my bread and my water, My wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.

6Therefore, lo, I am hedging up thy way with thorns, And I have made for her a wall, And her paths she doth not find.

7And she hath pursued her lovers, And she doth not overtake them, And hath sought them, and doth not find, And she hath said: I go, and I turn back unto My first husband, For -- better to me then than now.

8And she knew not that I had given to her, The corn, and the new wine, and the oil. Yea, silver I did multiply to her, And the gold they prepared for Baal.

9Therefore do I turn back, And I have taken My corn in its season, And My new wine in its appointed time, And I have taken away My wool and My flax, covering her nakedness.

10And now do I reveal her dishonour before the eyes of her lovers, And none doth deliver her out of My hand.

11And I have caused to cease all her joy, Her festival, her new moon, and her sabbath, Even all her appointed times,

12And made desolate her vine and her fig-tree, Of which she said, A gift they are to me, That my lovers have given to me, And I have made them for a forest, And consumed them hath a beast of the field.

13And I have charged on her the days of the Baalim, To whom she maketh perfume, And putteth on her ring and her ornament, And goeth after her lovers, And Me forgat -- an affirmation of Jehovah.

God's Mercy to Israel

14Therefore, lo, I am enticing her, And have caused her to go to the wilderness, And I have spoken unto her heart,

15And given to her her vineyards from thence, And the valley of Achor for an opening of hope, And she hath responded there as in the days of her youth, And as in the day of her coming up out of the land of Egypt.

16And it hath come to pass, in that day, An affirmation of Jehovah, Thou dost call Me -- My husband, And dost not call Me any more -- My lord.

17And I have turned aside the names of the lords from her mouth, And they are not remembered any more by their name.

18And I have made to them a covenant in that day, with the beast of the field, And with the fowl of the heavens, And the creeping thing of the ground, And bow, and sword, and war I break from off the land, And have caused them to lie down confidently.

19And I have betrothed thee to Me to the age, And betrothed thee to Me in righteousness, And in judgment, and kindness, and mercies,

20And betrothed thee to Me in faithfulness, And thou hast known Jehovah.

21And it hath come to pass in that day, I answer -- an affirmation of Jehovah, I answer the heavens, and they answer the earth.

22And the earth doth answer the corn, And the new wine, and the oil, And they answer Jezreel.

23And I have sowed her to Me in the land, And I have pitied Lo-Ruhamah, And I have said to Lo-Ammi, My people thou art, and it saith, My God!'

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Hosea 2?

1.1Introduction to Hosea 2

1.2Context of Hosea 2

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Hosea 2 Unique Insights

1.6Hosea 2 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Hosea 2 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Hosea 2 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Hosea 2?

Introduction to Hosea 2

Hosea 2 stands as one of the most poignant and profound chapters in prophetic literature, where the deeply personal pain of marital betrayal becomes a powerful metaphor for God’s relationship with Israel. The chapter masterfully weaves together themes of judgment and restoration, using the intimate language of marriage to portray both divine heartbreak and undying love. Through Hosea’s own experience with his unfaithful wife Gomer, God provides a living illustration of His own heart toward His wayward people, culminating in a remarkable promise of restoration and renewed covenant faithfulness.

Context of Hosea 2

The prophecy of Hosea was delivered during a tumultuous period in Israel’s history, specifically during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and Jeroboam II of Israel (approximately 750-724 BCE). This era was marked by material prosperity but spiritual decay, as Israel had turned to Baal worship and political alliances with foreign powers rather than trusting in יהוה.

Chapter 2 follows directly from the personal narrative of chapter 1, where God commanded Hosea to marry Gomer, who would later prove unfaithful – a living parable of Israel’s relationship with God. The chapter expands this metaphor into a full prophetic discourse, moving from judgment to restoration in a way that parallels the larger biblical narrative of fall and redemption. This personal drama becomes a window through which we can understand God’s heart toward His covenant people and, by extension, all humanity.

Within the broader biblical narrative, Hosea 2 stands as a crucial link between the Sinai covenant and the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34. It anticipates the ultimate restoration that would come through the Messiah, while demonstrating the unchanging character of God’s faithful love despite human unfaithfulness.

Ancient Key Word Study

Ishi (אִישִׁי) – “My husband” – This intimate term contrasts with “Baali” (my master) and represents a profound shift in Israel’s relationship with God, from one of mere authority to intimate partnership. The word carries connotations of tender affection and mutual commitment.
Baali (בַּעְלִי) – “My master” – While literally meaning “my lord” or “my master,” this term was deliberately rejected because of its association with Baal worship. The linguistic wordplay highlights the spiritual adultery of mixing true worship with paganism.
Yada (יָדַע) – “Know” – Used in verse 20, this verb goes far beyond mere intellectual knowledge to indicate intimate personal relationship. It’s the same word used for Adam “knowing” Eve and represents covenant relationship at its deepest level.
Betrothal (אֵרַשְׂתִּיךְ) – The Hebrew term appears three times in verses 19-20, emphasizing God’s initiative in restoring the relationship. The threefold repetition creates a solemn oath structure, making these verses function as a new marriage covenant.
Jezreel (יִזְרְעֶאל) – Meaning “God sows,” this name transforms from a place of judgment in chapter 1 to a promise of restoration in chapter 2. The agricultural metaphor connects with the theme of fertility and blessing.
Racham (רָחַם) – “Mercy” or “compassion” – This word shares its root with the word for “womb,” suggesting a deep, maternal kind of love that cannot be extinguished despite circumstances.
Valley of Achor (עָכוֹר) – Literally “Valley of Trouble,” this location is transformed from a place of judgment (Joshua 7:26) to a “door of hope,” illustrating God’s power to transform judgment into blessing.
Lo-Ruhamah (לֹא רֻחָמָה) – “Not pitied” becomes “having obtained mercy,” demonstrating the complete reversal of Israel’s status through God’s grace.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 2’s use of “plead” (רִיבוּ) rather than “judge” (שָׁפַט) suggests a legal dispute between covenant partners rather than a criminal proceeding, emphasizing the relational nature of God’s complaint.
In verse 7, the phrase “go after” (הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי) is deliberately chosen over “follow” (רָדַף) to emphasize willful pursuit rather than mere following, highlighting Israel’s active choice in pursuing false gods.
Verse 14’s “allure” (פָּתָה) rather than “command” (צָוָה) reveals God’s gentle wooing rather than coercive power, showing His respect for human free will even in restoration.
The metaphor of “doors” (פֶּתַח) in verse 15 rather than “way” (דֶּרֶךְ) suggests a deliberate entry point rather than merely a path, emphasizing divine intentionality in transformation.
Verse 16’s contrast between “Ishi” and “Baali” represents not just a change in titles but a fundamental transformation in the nature of relationship from authority-based to intimacy-based.
The threefold betrothal formula in verses 19-20 uses the verb אֵרַשְׂתִּיךְ rather than the more common marriage term לָקַח to emphasize the initiatory nature of God’s action.
The agricultural metaphors in verses 21-23 employ specific terms for grain (דָּגָן) rather than general terms for food (אֹכֶל) to emphasize God’s direct provision rather than mere sustenance.

Hosea 2 Unique Insights

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The chapter contains a remarkable structural pattern known in Hebrew as a chiasm, where the themes of judgment and restoration mirror each other in reverse order. This literary structure emphasizes the completeness of God’s redemptive work, as each curse is systematically transformed into a blessing.

The Rabbinical tradition notes that the phrase “I will speak to her heart” (verse 14) uses the same Hebrew construction as in Genesis 34:3 where Shechem speaks tenderly to Dinah, but here it’s redeemed to show God’s gentle restoration of His people. The early church father Origen saw in this a prefiguring of the Messiah’s gentle way of drawing people to Himself.

The transformation of the Valley of Achor (Trouble) into a door of hope carries profound theological significance. According to ancient Jewish commentary, this represents the principle that the very places of our greatest failures can become, through God’s redemptive power, the locations of our greatest victories. This foreshadows the ultimate expression of this principle in the Messiah’s cross, where the place of apparent defeat became the door of eternal hope.

The agricultural imagery throughout the chapter connects to ancient Near Eastern concepts of fertility, but subverts them by showing יהוה as the true source of all provision. This polemic against Baal worship demonstrates that what Israel sought from false gods could only truly be found in relationship with the one true God.

Hosea 2 Connections to Yeshua

The marriage metaphor in Hosea 2 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah’s relationship with His people, as expressed in Ephesians 5:25-27. The faithful love of God portrayed here prefigures Yeshua’s sacrificial love for His bride, the Church.

The threefold betrothal formula in verses 19-20 (“I will betroth you to me in righteousness… in justice… in lovingkindness and mercy… in faithfulness”) finds its perfect expression in Yeshua’s work on the cross, where He established the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Through His sacrifice, He demonstrates all these qualities: righteousness in His perfect life, justice in bearing our punishment, lovingkindness in His willing sacrifice, and faithfulness in His resurrection and continued intercession.

Hosea 2 Scriptural Echoes

The chapter’s imagery resonates deeply with other biblical passages:

The wilderness journey (verse 14) recalls Israel’s exodus experience
The door of hope echoes the crossing of the Red Sea
The new covenant language parallels Jeremiah 31
The marriage metaphor appears in Isaiah 54, Ezekiel 16, and Revelation 19
The agricultural restoration themes connect to Joel 2 and Amos 9

Hosea 2 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own hearts regarding spiritual faithfulness. Just as Israel was prone to divide their loyalty between God and Baal, we too can find ourselves attempting to serve both God and modern-day idols. The good news is that God’s response to our unfaithfulness is not final rejection but persistent, pursuing love.

The transformation of the Valley of Trouble into a door of hope reminds us that God specializes in turning our failures into opportunities for grace. Whatever valley of trouble you may be experiencing, God can transform it into a gateway to deeper relationship with Him. This requires our cooperation – responding to His gentle wooing and allowing Him to remove the names of our “Baals” (competing loyalties) from our lips.

Did You Know

The Hebrew word for “husband” (אִישׁ) and “wife” (אִשָּׁה) share the same root, suggesting an inherent connection that mirrors God’s desired relationship with His people.
The phrase “Valley of Achor” references the location where Achan’s sin was judged (Joshua 7), making its transformation into a door of hope even more significant.
The agricultural cycle described in verses 21-23 follows the actual growing season in the Holy Land, demonstrating God’s intimate knowledge of His people’s physical needs.
The threefold repetition of “I will betroth you” in verses 19-20 mirrors ancient Near Eastern marriage contracts, giving legal weight to God’s promises.
The removal of Baal names from Israel’s lips (verse 17) refers to a practice where Baal was often incorporated into personal names, showing how deeply idolatry had penetrated society.
The Hebrew word for “allure” in verse 14 is the same word used for “entice” in other contexts, but here it’s redeemed to show God’s gentle persuasion.
The promise that Israel will “sing as in the days of her youth” (verse 15) specifically recalls the Song of the Sea in Exodus 15, connecting restoration with exodus themes.
The name “Jezreel” appears in both judgment (chapter 1) and blessing (chapter 2), demonstrating God’s ability to transform the meaning of our circumstances.

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After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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