King James Version

What Does Hosea 1:2 Mean?

Hosea 1:2 in the King James Version says “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 c... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Hosea 1:2 · KJV


Context

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.

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.

3

So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.

4

And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel. avenge: Heb. visit


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Take unto thee a wife of whoredoms (אֵשֶׁת זְנוּנִים, eshet zenunim)—God commands Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute, creating a living parable of Israel's covenant unfaithfulness. The phrase wife of whoredoms doesn't mean merely past sin but ongoing harlotry, paralleling Israel's continuous spiritual adultery with Baal worship. The land hath committed great whoredom (זָנֹה תִזְנֶה הָאָרֶץ)—the intensive form emphasizes persistent, shameless idolatry. This prophetic sign-act dramatizes God's covenant love pursuing an unfaithful bride, prefiguring Christ's redemption of His adulterous church (Ephesians 5:25-27).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Hosea prophesied to the Northern Kingdom (Israel/Ephraim) during the 8th century BC, beginning around 755 BC during Israel's final decades before Assyrian conquest. God's shocking command for Hosea to marry Gomer, a woman of promiscuity, came during an era when Israel had syncretized YHWH worship with Baal cult practices, treating God's covenant as casually as Gomer would treat marriage vows. This living parable confronted a society that was materially prosperous under Jeroboam II but spiritually bankrupt, pursuing foreign alliances and fertility cults while claiming covenant loyalty to YHWH.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Hosea 1:2 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
תְּחִלַּ֥ת1 of 21

The beginning

H8462

a commencement; relatively original (adverb, -ly)

דִּבֶּר2 of 21

of the word

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָֽה׃3 of 21

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הוֹשֵׁ֗עַ4 of 21

by Hosea

H1954

hoshea, the name of five israelites

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר5 of 21

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃6 of 21

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל7 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הוֹשֵׁ֗עַ8 of 21

by Hosea

H1954

hoshea, the name of five israelites

לֵ֣ךְ9 of 21
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

קַח10 of 21

take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לְךָ֞11 of 21
H0
אֵ֤שֶׁת12 of 21

unto thee a wife

H802

a woman

זְנוּנִ֔ים13 of 21

of whoredoms

H2183

adultery; figuratively, idolatry

וְיַלְדֵ֣י14 of 21

and children

H3206

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

זְנוּנִ֔ים15 of 21

of whoredoms

H2183

adultery; figuratively, idolatry

כִּֽי16 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תִזְנֶה֙17 of 21

hath committed great

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

תִזְנֶה֙18 of 21

hath committed great

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

הָאָ֔רֶץ19 of 21

for the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מֵֽאַחֲרֵ֖י20 of 21

departing from

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

יְהוָֽה׃21 of 21

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hosea. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hosea 1:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hosea 1:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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