CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hosea 1:2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, "Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hosea/1-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/28_Hos_01_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hosea 1:2 - Hosea's Wife and Children" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/hosea/1-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/hosea/1-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/hosea/">Hosea</a> > <a href="/hosea/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hosea/1-1.htm" title="Hosea 1:1">◄</a> Hosea 1:2 <a href="/hosea/1-3.htm" title="Hosea 1:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/hosea/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/hosea/1.htm">New International Version</a> When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, &#8220Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/hosea/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> When the LORD first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the LORD and worshiping other gods.” <a href="/esv/hosea/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.” <a href="/bsb/hosea/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, “Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD.” <a href="/kjv/hosea/1.htm">King James Bible</a> The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD. <a href="/nkjv/hosea/1.htm">New King James Version</a> When the LORD began to speak by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: “Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry And children of harlotry, For the land has committed great harlotry By departing from the LORD.” <a href="/nasb_/hosea/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife inclined to infidelity, and children of infidelity; for the land commits flagrant infidelity, abandoning the LORD.” <a href="/nasb/hosea/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, &#8220Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the LORD.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/hosea/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry, and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the LORD.” <a href="/lsb/hosea/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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.” <a href="/amp/hosea/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and have children of [her] prostitution; for the land commits great acts of prostitution by not following the LORD.” <a href="/csb/hosea/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When the LORD first spoke to Hosea, he said this to him: Go and marry a woman of promiscuity, and have children of promiscuity, for the land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity by abandoning the LORD. <a href="/hcsb/hosea/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When the LORD first spoke to Hosea, He said this to him: Go and marry a promiscuous wife and have children of promiscuity, for the land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity by abandoning the LORD. <a href="/asv/hosea/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> When Jehovah spake at the first by Hosea, Jehovah said unto Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredom and children of whoredom; for the land doth commit great whoredom, departing from Jehovah. <a href="/cev/hosea/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The LORD said, "Hosea, Israel has betrayed me like an unfaithful wife. Marry such a woman and have children by her." <a href="/erv/hosea/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> When the LORD spake at the first by Hosea, the LORD said unto Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredom and children of whoredom: for the land doth commit great whoredom, departing from the LORD. <a href="/gwt/hosea/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When the LORD first spoke to Hosea, the LORD told him, "Marry a prostitute, and have children with that prostitute. The people in this land have acted like prostitutes and abandoned the LORD." <a href="/gnt/hosea/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> When the LORD first spoke to Israel through Hosea, he said to Hosea, "Go and get married; your wife will be unfaithful, and your children will be just like her. In the same way my people have left me and become unfaithful." <a href="/isv/hosea/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> When a message from the LORD came to Hosea, the LORD told him, "Go marry a prostitute and have children with her, because the land is prostituting itself by departing from the LORD." <a href="/msb/hosea/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He told him, ?Go, take a prostitute as your wife and have children of adultery, because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself by departing from the LORD.? <a href="/net/hosea/1.htm">NET Bible</a> When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, he said to him, "Go marry a prostitute who will bear illegitimate children conceived through prostitution, because the nation continually commits spiritual prostitution by turning away from the LORD." <a href="/nheb/hosea/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When the LORD spoke at the first by Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, "Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness; for the land commits great adultery, forsaking the LORD." <a href="/wbt/hosea/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go take to thee a wife addicted to lewdness and children of lewdness; for the land hath committed great lewdness, departing from the LORD. <a href="/web/hosea/1.htm">World English Bible</a> When Yahweh spoke at first by Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness; for the land commits great adultery, forsaking Yahweh.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hosea/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> The commencement of YHWH’s speaking by Hosea. And YHWH says to Hosea, “Go, take a woman of whoredoms for yourself, and children of whoredoms, for the land goes utterly whoring from after YHWH.” <a href="/ylt/hosea/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> The commencement of Jehovah's speaking by Hosea. And Jehovah saith unto Hosea, 'Go, take to thee a woman of whoredoms, and children of whoredoms, for utterly go a-whoring doth the land from after Jehovah.' <a href="/slt/hosea/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> The beginning of the word of Jehovah by Hosea. And Jehovah will say to Hosea, Go, take to thee a wife of fornication and children of fornication; for the land committing fornication, will commit fornication from after Jehovah.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hosea/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> The beginning of the Lord's speaking by Osse: and the Lord said to Osee: Go, take thee a wife of fornications, and have of her children of fornications: for the land by fornication shall depart from the Lord. <a href="/cpdv/hosea/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> The beginning of the Lord’s conversation with Hosea. And the Lord said to Hosea: “Go, take to yourself a wife of fornications, and make for yourself sons of fornications, because, by fornicating, the land will fornicate away from the Lord.” <a href="/nabre/hosea/1.htm">New American Bible</a> When the LORD began to speak with Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: Go, get for yourself a woman of prostitution and children of prostitution, for the land prostitutes itself, turning away from the LORD. <a href="/nrsvce/hosea/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take for yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the LORD.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hosea/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> The beginning of the word of the LORD that came to Hosea: The LORD said to Hosea, Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms; for the land will commit great whoredom in departing from the LORD. <a href="/hpbt/hosea/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> The beginning of the word of LORD JEHOVAH that was upon Hosha: “LORD JEHOVAH said to Hosha: ‘go take to you a wife who commits whoredom and children who commit whoredom because the land of LORD JEHOVAH will surely commit whoredom after him’<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/hosea/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> When the LORD spoke at first with Hosea, the LORD said unto Hosea: 'Go, take unto thee a wife of harlotry and children of harlotry; for the land doth commit great harlotry, departing from the LORD.' <a href="/sep/hosea/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> The beginning of the word of the Lord by Osee. And the Lord said to Osee, Go, take to thyself a wife of fornication, and children of fornication: for the land will surely go a-whoring in departing from the Lord. <a href="/parallel/hosea/1-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpPG1oLnpGk?start=15" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/hosea/1.htm">Hosea's Wife and Children</a> 1This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel. 2<a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">When the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/8462.htm" title="8462: tə·ḥil·laṯ (N-fsc) -- A beginning. From chalal in the sense of opening; a commencement; rel. Original.">first</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·ber- (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">spoke</a> <a href="/hebrew/1954.htm" title="1954: bə·hō·šē·aʿ p̄ (Prep-b:: N-proper-ms) -- Salvation, the name of several Isr. From yasha'; deliverer; Hoshea, the name of five Israelites.">through Hosea,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">He</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">told</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1954.htm" title="1954: hō·wō·šê·a‘ (N-proper-ms) -- Salvation, the name of several Isr. From yasha'; deliverer; Hoshea, the name of five Israelites.">him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: lêḵ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">“Go,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: qaḥ- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">take</a> <a href="/hebrew/2183.htm" title="2183: zə·nū·nîm (N-mp) -- Fornication. From zanah; adultery; figuratively, idolatry.">a prostitute</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">as your</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: ’ê·šeṯ (N-fsc) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wife</a> <a href="/hebrew/3206.htm" title="3206: wə·yal·ḏê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Child, son, boy, youth. From yalad; something born, i.e. A lad or offspring.">and have children</a> <a href="/hebrew/2183.htm" title="2183: zə·nū·nîm (N-mp) -- Fornication. From zanah; adultery; figuratively, idolatry.">of adultery,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">this land</a> <a href="/hebrew/2181.htm" title="2181: zā·nōh (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To commit fornication, be a harlot. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to commit idolatry.">is flagrantly prostituting itself</a> <a href="/hebrew/2181.htm" title="2181: ṯiz·neh (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs) -- To commit fornication, be a harlot. A primitive root; to commit adultery; figuratively, to commit idolatry."></a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: mê·’a·ḥă·rê (Prep-m) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">by departing from</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD.”</a> 3So Hosea went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/jeremiah/3-1.htm">Jeremiah 3:1-3</a> “If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him to marry another, can he ever return to her? Would not such a land be completely defiled? But you have played the harlot with many lovers—and you would return to Me?” declares the LORD. / “Lift up your eyes to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been violated? You sat beside the highways waiting for your lovers, like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution and wickedness. / Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed. <a href="/ezekiel/16-15.htm">Ezekiel 16:15-17</a> But because of your fame, you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs for the asking. / You took some of your garments and made colorful high places for yourself, and on them you prostituted yourself. Such things should not have happened; never should they have occurred! / You also took the fine jewelry of gold and silver I had given you, and you made male idols with which to prostitute yourself. <a href="/ezekiel/23-1.htm">Ezekiel 23:1-4</a> Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, / “Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother, / and they played in Egypt, prostituting themselves from their youth. Their breasts were fondled there, and their virgin bosoms caressed. ... <a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21</a> See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers! <a href="/jeremiah/2-20.htm">Jeremiah 2:20</a> “For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute. <a href="/jeremiah/3-6.htm">Jeremiah 3:6-10</a> Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there. / I thought that after she had done all these things, she would return to Me. But she did not return, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. / She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well. ... <a href="/ezekiel/16-32.htm">Ezekiel 16:32-34</a> You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband! / Men give gifts to all their prostitutes, but you gave gifts to all your lovers. You bribed them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors. / So your prostitution is the opposite of that of other women: No one solicited your favors, and you paid a fee instead of receiving one; so you are the very opposite! <a href="/isaiah/57-3.htm">Isaiah 57:3-8</a> “But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! / Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit, / who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? ... <a href="/jeremiah/5-7.htm">Jeremiah 5:7-8</a> “Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes. / They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife. <a href="/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37</a> For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols. <a href="/matthew/12-39.htm">Matthew 12:39</a> Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. <a href="/james/4-4.htm">James 4:4</a> You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God. <a href="/revelation/17-1.htm">Revelation 17:1-2</a> Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” <a href="/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20-22</a> But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. / Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. / Behold, I will cast her onto a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her will suffer great tribulation unless they repent of her deeds. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-2.htm">2 Corinthians 11:2</a> I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take to you a wife of prostitutions and children of prostitutions: for the land has committed great prostitution, departing from the LORD.beginning.<a href="/mark/1-1.htm">Mark 1:1</a> The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;Go.<a href="/hosea/3-1.htm">Hosea 3:1</a> Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.See on.<a href="/isaiah/20-2.htm">Isaiah 20:2,3</a> At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot… <a href="/jeremiah/13-1.htm">Jeremiah 13:1-11</a> Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water… <a href="/ezekiel/4-1.htm">Ezekiel 4:1-5:17</a> Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem: … a wife.children.<a href="/hosea/2-4.htm">Hosea 2:4</a> And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.<a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm">2 Peter 2:14</a> Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:for.<a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Exodus 34:15,16</a> Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; … <a href="/deuteronomy/31-16.htm">Deuteronomy 31:16</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.<a href="/2_chronicles/21-13.htm">2 Chronicles 21:13</a> But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/titus/1-7.htm">Addicted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-45.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/daniel/9-23.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/daniel/12-1.htm">Children</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-26.htm">Commit</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-18.htm">Commits</a> <a href="/daniel/9-5.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/daniel/9-11.htm">Departing</a> <a href="/daniel/11-13.htm">First</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-15.htm">Flagrant</a> <a href="/ezekiel/20-27.htm">Forsaking</a> <a href="/daniel/12-1.htm">Great</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-9.htm">Harlotry</a> <a href="/hosea/1-1.htm">Hosea</a> <a href="/hosea/1-1.htm">Hose'a</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-13.htm">Lewdness</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-9.htm">Prostitution</a> <a href="/daniel/11-36.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/ezekiel/39-26.htm">Unfaithfulness</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-9.htm">Whoredom</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-43.htm">Whoredoms</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-26.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/hosea/1-1.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/5-11.htm">Addicted</a> <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/amos/7-1.htm">Beginning</a> <a href="/hosea/1-10.htm">Children</a> <a href="/hosea/4-10.htm">Commit</a> <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">Commits</a> <a href="/hosea/4-18.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Departing</a> <a href="/hosea/2-7.htm">First</a> <a href="/jeremiah/30-14.htm">Flagrant</a> <a href="/hosea/9-1.htm">Forsaking</a> <a href="/hosea/1-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Harlotry</a> <a href="/hosea/1-4.htm">Hosea</a> <a href="/romans/9-25.htm">Hose'a</a> <a href="/hosea/2-4.htm">Lewdness</a> <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Prostitution</a> <a href="/hosea/2-14.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/hosea/2-4.htm">Unfaithfulness</a> <a href="/hosea/2-4.htm">Whoredom</a> <a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Whoredoms</a> <a href="/hosea/1-3.htm">Wife</a> <a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Hosea 1</div>1. <a href="/hosea/1-1.htm">Hosea, to show God's judgment for spiritual unfaithfulness, takes Gomer,</a> 4. <a href="/hosea/1-4.htm">and has by her Jezreel;</a> 6. <a href="/hosea/1-6.htm">Loruhamah;</a> 8. <a href="/hosea/1-8.htm">and Lo-Ammi.</a> 10. <a href="/hosea/1-10.htm">The restoration of Judah and Israel under one head.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hosea/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When the LORD first spoke through Hosea This marks the beginning of Hosea's prophetic ministry, indicating divine initiation. Hosea is one of the Minor Prophets, and his ministry is set in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the 8th century BC, a time of political instability and spiritual decline. The phrase underscores the authority and divine origin of Hosea's message, aligning with other prophets who were called by God, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah.He told him This direct communication from God to Hosea highlights the personal nature of God's relationship with His prophets. It reflects the biblical pattern where God gives specific instructions to His chosen messengers, as seen with Moses and Jonah. This divine command sets the stage for Hosea's symbolic actions.Go, take a prostitute as your wife This command is both shocking and symbolic. In the cultural context, marriage to a prostitute would be seen as socially unacceptable, yet it serves as a powerful metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness to God. The marriage symbolizes God's covenant relationship with Israel, which has been marred by idolatry and spiritual adultery. This act prefigures the redemptive work of Christ, who seeks out sinners and the spiritually unfaithful.and have children of adultery The children born from this union represent the consequences of Israel's spiritual infidelity. They symbolize the fruit of Israel's idolatrous practices and the resulting judgment. This imagery is consistent with the prophetic tradition of using family relationships to illustrate spiritual truths, as seen in Isaiah's children and their symbolic names.because this land is flagrantly prostituting itself The land refers to the people of Israel, who are engaging in idolatry and abandoning their covenant with God. The term "flagrantly" emphasizes the blatant and shameless nature of their actions. This mirrors the spiritual condition described in other prophetic books, such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where Israel's idolatry is likened to adultery.by departing from the LORD This phrase captures the essence of Israel's sin: a deliberate turning away from God. It highlights the covenantal breach and the spiritual apostasy of the nation. The departure from the LORD is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, seen in the cycles of sin and repentance in Judges and the warnings of exile in Deuteronomy. This departure foreshadows the ultimate need for redemption through Christ, who restores the broken relationship between God and humanity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/h/hosea.htm">Hosea</a> A prophet called by God to deliver His message to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His life and marriage serve as a living parable of God's relationship with Israel. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who communicates His will and message through His prophets. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gomer.htm">Gomer</a> The woman Hosea is commanded to marry, representing Israel's unfaithfulness to God. 4. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The Northern Kingdom, which is depicted as unfaithful to God, akin to a wife who has turned to prostitution. 5. <a href="/topical/p/prostitution.htm">Prostitution</a> Used metaphorically to describe Israel's idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_heart.htm">Understanding God's Heart</a> Hosea's marriage to Gomer is a vivid illustration of God's enduring love and commitment to His people, despite their unfaithfulness. This challenges us to reflect on God's grace and patience in our own lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_seriousness_of_idolatry.htm">The Seriousness of Idolatry</a> The metaphor of prostitution underscores the gravity of idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness. It calls us to examine our own lives for anything that might take precedence over our relationship with God. <a href="/topical/l/living_parables.htm">Living Parables</a> Hosea's life demonstrates how God can use personal experiences as powerful messages to others. We should be open to how God might use our own lives to communicate His truth. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a> The call to Hosea is ultimately a call to repentance for Israel. It reminds us of the importance of turning back to God and seeking restoration in our relationship with Him. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_relationships.htm">Faithfulness in Relationships</a> Hosea's obedience in marrying Gomer challenges us to consider the faithfulness and commitment required in our own relationships, reflecting God's covenant love.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hosea_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hosea 1</a> <a href="/q/does_hosea_1_4-9_conflict_with_god's_mercy.htm">Does the symbolic naming in Hosea 1:4–9 conflict with the broader biblical emphasis on God’s mercy and redemption?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_tell_hosea_to_marry_a_harlot.htm">Why does God command Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman in Hosea 1:2, seemingly endorsing immoral behavior? </a> <a href="/q/ezekiel_4_4-5__lie_390_days_safely.htm">Ezekiel 4:4–5: How could someone realistically lie on one side for 390 days without serious health complications or interruptions? </a> <a href="/q/hosea_5_7__proof_of_israel's_unfaithfulness.htm">Hosea 5:7 – What proof exists that Israel literally bore “illegitimate children” due to religious unfaithfulness rather than political alliances? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hosea/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) The beginning of the word . . .--More correctly, In the beginning when the Lord spoke to Hosea, the Lord said . . .Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms.--How are we to interpret the prophet's marriage to the licentious Gomer? Is it an historic occurrence, the only too real tragedy of the author's personal experience, employed for the purpose of illustration? (Comp. the domestic incident, <a href="/context/isaiah/8-1.htm" title="Moreover the LORD said to me, Take you a great roll, and write in it with a man's pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.">Isaiah 8:1-4</a>.) Or is this opening chapter a merely allegorical representation, designed to exhibit in vivid colours the terrible moral condition of Israel? (Comp. the symbolic actions described in <a href="/context/jeremiah/25-15.htm" title="For thus said the LORD God of Israel to me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it.">Jeremiah 25:15-29</a>; <a href="/context/ezekiel/4-4.htm" title="Lie you also on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it: according to the number of the days that you shall lie on it you shall bear their iniquity.">Ezekiel 4:4-6</a>; and perhaps <a href="/context/isaiah/20-1.htm" title="In the year that Tartan came to Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;">Isaiah 20:1-3</a>.) Able writers have advocated each of these opposed theories; but in our opinion the balance of evidence inclines to the former view, which regards the events as historic. The further question arises, Was Gomer guilty before or after the marriage? The former supposition involves the harshness of conceiving such a marriage as the result of a Divine command; but the latter supposition admits of a satisfactory interpretation. The wickedness which after marriage revealed itself to the prophet's agonised heart was transfigured to the inspired seer into an emblem of his nation's wrong to Jehovah. In the light of this great idea, the prophet's past came before him in changed aspect. As he reflected on the marvellous symbolic adaptation of this episode to the terrible spiritual needs of his fellow-countrymen, which he was called by God to supply, the Divine purpose which shaped his sorrowful career became interpreted to his glowing consciousness as a Divine command--"Go, take unto thyself a wife of whoredoms." He had suffered acutely, but the agony was part of God's arrangement, and the very love that was repeatedly outraged proves ultimately to have been suggested by a Divine monition.Children of whoredoms.--Children of Hosea's marriage. The whole result of his family history was included in this divinely ordered plan.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hosea/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - The beginning of the word of the Lord by (literally, in) Hosea. These words may be rendered at once more literally and more exactly, (1) "The beginning (of that which) Jehovah spoke by Hosea." Thus Gesenius translates, understanding ashen, which is often omitted as a pronoun in the nominative or accusative, indicating relation, and as including the antecedent personal or demonstrative pronoun. When the pronoun thus supplied is in the genitive, the preceding noun is in the construct state, as here. (2) Rosenmüller, without necessity, takes the noun in the adverbial sense; thus: "In the beginning Jehovah spake by Hosea." He also suggests the possibility of dibber being a noun of the same meaning as dabar, but of different formation; while in two manuscripts of De Rossi and one of Kennicott the regular form of the construct state of davar is expressed. (3) Keil takes the noun as an accusative of time, and accounts for its construct state by the substantival idea of the succeeding subordinated clause; thus: "At the commencement of ' Jehovah spake,' Jehovah said to him." But what is the beginning here mentioned? It cannot mean that Hoses was the first of the prophets by whom God made known his will to Israel, or the first of the minor prophets; for Jonah, as is rightly inferred from <a href="/2_kings/14-25.htm">2 Kings 14:25</a>, preceded him; Joel also is usually regarded as before him in point of time; neither can it denote his priority to Isaiah and Amos, who also prophesied in the days of Uzziah. The plain meaning is that which becomes obvious when we adopt the right rendering of Gesenius, as given above, that is, the beginning of the prophecies which Hoses was commissioned by Jehovah to make known. The peculiarity of the expression, "in Hosea," as the word literally means, deserves attention. Maurer compares <a href="/numbers/12-2.htm">Numbers 12:2, 6</a>, and 8, to prove that the expression signifies speaking to rather than in or by; he also cites other passages to the same purpose, But while the verb "to speak," followed by b5 and the verb constructed with el, may coincide in signification at a certain point, it does not thence follow that they are everywhere and always synonymous. Long ago Jerome drew attention to the distinction which this difference of construction suggests. "It is one thing," says that Father, "for the Lord to speak in Hosea, another to speak to . . . <a href="/commentaries/hosea/1-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel first תְּחִלַּ֥ת (tə·ḥil·laṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8462.htm">Strong's 8462: </a> A commencement, rel, original spoke דִּבֶּר־ (dib·ber-) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue to Hosea, בְּהוֹשֵׁ֑עַ (bə·hō·wō·šê·a‘) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1954.htm">Strong's 1954: </a> Hoshea -- 'salvation', the name of several Israelites He יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel told וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say him, הוֹשֵׁ֗עַ (hō·wō·šê·a‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1954.htm">Strong's 1954: </a> Hoshea -- 'salvation', the name of several Israelites “Go, לֵ֣ךְ (lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk take קַח־ (qaḥ-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take a prostitute זְנוּנִים֙ (zə·nū·nîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2183.htm">Strong's 2183: </a> Adultery, idolatry as your לְךָ֞ (lə·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> wife אֵ֤שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female and have children וְיַלְדֵ֣י (wə·yal·ḏê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3206.htm">Strong's 3206: </a> Something born, a lad, offspring of adultery, זְנוּנִ֔ים (zə·nū·nîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2183.htm">Strong's 2183: </a> Adultery, idolatry because כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction this land הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land is flagrantly prostituting itself זָנֹ֤ה (zā·nōh) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2181.htm">Strong's 2181: </a> To commit adultery, to commit idolatry [by departing] from מֵֽאַחֲרֵ֖י (mê·’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition-m <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part the LORD.” יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hosea/1-2.htm">Hosea 1:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hosea/1-2.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 1:2 When Yahweh spoke at the first (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/1-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 1:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 1:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/1-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 1:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 1:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>