Hosea’s Wife and Children

The word of Yahweh which came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

When Yahweh first spoke through Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking Yahweh.”

And Yahweh said to him, “Name him Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will visit the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will cause the kingdom of the house of Israel to cease.

Then she conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. And Yahweh said to him, “Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel, that I would ever forgive them.

But I will have compassion on the house of Judah and save them by Yahweh their God, and I will not save them by bow, sword, battle, horses, or horsemen.”

And Yahweh said, “Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not My people, and I am not your God.”

So I will visit the days of the Baals upon her When she used to offer offerings in smoke to them And adorn herself with her earrings and jewelry And go after her lovers, so that she forgot Me,” declares Yahweh.

Yahweh’s Faithful Betrothal

“Therefore, behold, I will allure her And bring her into the wilderness And speak to her heart.

And it will be in that day,” declares Yahweh, “That you will call Me Ishi And will no longer call Me Baali.

And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know Yahweh.

“And it will be in that day, that I will answer,” declares Yahweh. “I will answer the heavens, and they will answer the earth,

Hosea Marries Again

Then Yahweh said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by her companion and is an adulteress, even as Yahweh loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.”

Afterward the sons of Israel will return and seek Yahweh their God and David their king; and they will come in dread to Yahweh and to His goodness in the last days.

Yahweh’s Contention with Israel

Listen to the word of Yahweh, O sons of Israel, For Yahweh has a contention against the inhabitants of the land, Because there is no truth or lovingkindness Or knowledge of God in the land.

They will eat, but not be satisfied; They will play the harlot, but not break forth in number, Because they have forsaken Yahweh to keep harlotry.

Though you, Israel, play the harlot, Do not let Judah become guilty; Also do not go to Gilgal Nor go up to Beth-aven And swear the oath: “As Yahweh lives!”

Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, Can Yahweh now feed them Like a lamb in a large field?

Yahweh Withdraws from Israel

Hear this, O priests! Give heed, O house of Israel! Give ear, O house of the king! For the judgment is for you, For you have been a snare at Mizpah And a net spread out on Tabor.

Their deeds will not allow them To return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, And they do not know Yahweh.

They will go with their flocks and herds To seek Yahweh, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them.

They have dealt treacherously against Yahweh, For they have borne children of strangers. Now the new moon will devour them with their portions.

Israel Chastised

“Come, let us return to Yahweh. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has struck us, but He will bandage us.

So let us know, let us pursue to know Yahweh. His going forth is established as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the late rain watering the earth.”

So the pride of Israel answers against him, Yet they have not returned to Yahweh their God, Nor have they sought Him, for all this.

Israel Reaps the Whirlwind

Put the trumpet to your mouth! Like an eagle the enemy comes against the house of Yahweh Because they have trespassed against My covenant And transgressed against My law.