Hosea’s Redemption of Gomer

Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love [a]a woman who is loved by her [b]husband, yet is committing adultery, (A)as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love [c]raisin (B)cakes.” So I (C)purchased her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and a [d]homer and a [e]lethech of barley. Then I said to her, “You shall (D)live with me for many days. You shall not play the prostitute, nor shall you have another man; so I will also be toward you.” For the sons of Israel will live for many days (E)without a king or leader, (F)without sacrifice or (G)memorial stone, and without (H)ephod or [f](I)household idols. Afterward the sons of Israel will (J)return and seek the Lord their God and (K)David their king; and (L)they will come trembling to the Lord and to His goodness in the last days.

Footnotes

  1. Hosea 3:1 I.e., Gomer
  2. Hosea 3:1 Lit companion
  3. Hosea 3:1 Used in idolatry
  4. Hosea 3:2 About 7.7 cubic feet or 0.22 cubic meters
  5. Hosea 3:2 About 3.8 cubic feet or 0.11 cubic meters
  6. Hosea 3:4 Heb teraphim

Further Assurances of God’s Redeeming Love

And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is beloved of a paramour and is an adulteress; even as the Lord loves the people of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. And I said to her, “You must dwell as mine for many days; you shall not play the harlot, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.” For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or teraphim. Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.