Hosea
maleDivided MonarchyMeaning: “Salvation”
A prophet to the northern kingdom whose marriage to the unfaithful Gomer became a living parable of Israel’s spiritual adultery and God’s redeeming love.
Biography
Hosea, son of Beeri, prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel in its final, declining decades before the Assyrian conquest. His own life became his message.
A marriage as a sign
God commanded Hosea to marry Gomer, an unfaithful woman, and their painful marriage portrayed Israel's spiritual adultery against the LORD (Hosea 1:2). Their children were given symbolic names of judgment — Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah ("not pitied"), and Lo-ammi ("not my people").
Redeeming love
Yet the heart of Hosea's message is God's relentless, redeeming love. As Hosea bought back his wayward wife, so God would win back His people: "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely" (Hosea 14:4). Paul and Peter both quote Hosea's promise that God would call "them my people, which were not my people" (Hosea 2:23; Romans 9:25; 1 Peter 2:10).
Life Timeline
Commanded to marry Gomer as a sign to Israel
Proclaims God’s redeeming love for unfaithful Israel
On the Bible timeline
Hosea belongs to the The Divided Monarchy era (c. 930 – 586 BC).
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
- 722 BCThe Fall of Samaria
- 586 BCThe Fall of Jerusalem
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Hosea
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Hosea appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
3 verses in 2 booksHosea2 verses
Hosea 1:1
The word of the LORD that came unto 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.
Hosea 1:2
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.
Romans1 verse
Romans 9:25
As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Frequently asked about Hosea
Who was Hosea in the Bible?
A prophet to the northern kingdom whose marriage to the unfaithful Gomer became a living parable of Israel’s spiritual adultery and God’s redeeming love.
What does the name Hosea mean?
The name Hosea means “Salvation”.
What did Hosea do in the Bible?
Hosea served as prophet.
Where does Hosea appear in the Bible?
Hosea is mentioned 3 times across 2 books: Hosea, Romans.
What can we learn from Hosea?
The story of Hosea touches on themes of prophets, adoption, predestination — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Hosea's life.
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