Study Desk

The word of the Lord that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the reigns of Uzziah,^(a) Jotham,^(b) Ahaz,^(c) and Hezekiah,^(d) kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam^(e) son of Jehoash, king of Israel.

When the Lord first spoke to Hosea, He said this to him: Go and marry a promiscuous wife^(f) and have children of promiscuity, for the land is committing blatant acts of promiscuity by abandoning the Lord .

So he went and married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.^(g)

Then the Lord said to him: Name him Jezreel,^(h) for in a little while I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel⁽ⁱ⁾ on the house of Jehu^(j) and put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.

On that day I will break the bow of Israel^(k) in the Valley of Jezreel.^[a](l)

She conceived again and gave birth to a daughter, and the Lord said to him: Name her No Compassion,^[b] for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel. I will certainly take them away.

But I will have compassion on the house of Judah,^(m) and I will deliver them by the Lord their God.⁽ⁿ⁾ I will not deliver them by bow, sword, or war, or by horses and cavalry.^(o)

After Gomer had weaned No Compassion, she conceived and gave birth to a son.

Then the Lord said: Name him Not My People,^[c] for you are not My people, and I will not be your God.^[d](p)

^[e]Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea,^(q) which cannot be measured or counted. And in the place where they were told: You are not My people, they will be called: Sons of the living God.^(r)

And the Judeans and the Israelites will be gathered together.^(s) They will appoint for themselves a single ruler^(t) and go up from^[f] the land. For the day of Jezreel^(u) will be great.

^[a]Call^[b] your brothers: My People and your sisters: Compassion.