King James Version

What Does Hosea 1:3 Mean?

Hosea 1:3 in the King James Version says “So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son.” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Hosea 1:3 · 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

5

And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.

Read Hosea 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hosea's obedience to God's shocking command to 'take unto thee a wife of whoredoms' demonstrates the prophetic embodiment of divine truth. The name 'Gomer daughter of Diblaim' grounds this in historical reality—not allegory but actual marriage to a promiscuous woman (or one predisposed to adultery). This living parable illustrates Israel's spiritual adultery against YHWH. The covenant between God and Israel was depicted as marriage throughout Scripture (Isaiah 54:5, Jeremiah 2:2, Ezekiel 16, 23). Hosea's faithful love for unfaithful Gomer mirrors God's hesed (steadfast covenant love) toward wayward Israel. This anticipates Christ's love for His bride the Church (Ephesians 5:25-32)—loving her while yet sinful, pursuing her redemption, and presenting her spotless.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Hosea prophesied to the Northern Kingdom (Israel/Ephraim) in the 8th century BC during their final decades before Assyrian conquest (722 BC). This was an era of political instability, syncretistic worship (Baal cult mixing with YHWH worship), and social injustice despite economic prosperity. The marriage metaphor would have resonated powerfully as Israel repeatedly broke covenant with God by pursuing foreign alliances and idol worship. Gomer's bearing children with symbolic names (Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, Lo-Ammi) prophesied coming judgment, yet chapter 3 shows Hosea redeeming Gomer back, foreshadowing God's ultimate restoration of Israel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Hosea's costly obedience challenge my willingness to embody God's truth even when personally painful?
  2. In what ways does my life illustrate spiritual adultery—pursuing other loves while claiming loyalty to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙1 of 10
H1980

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

וַיִּקַּ֔ח2 of 10

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת3 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גֹּ֖מֶר4 of 10

“Gomer”

H1586

gomer, the name of a son of japheth and of his descendants; also of a hebrewess

בַּת5 of 10

“the daughter”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

דִּבְלָ֑יִם6 of 10

“of Diblaim”

H1691

diblajim, a symbolic name

וַתַּ֥הַר7 of 10

“which conceived”

H2029

to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)

וַתֵּֽלֶד8 of 10

“and bare”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

ל֖וֹ9 of 10
H0
בֵּֽן׃10 of 10

“him a son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

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 1:3 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 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 8:1-3

Test Your Knowledge

Hosea 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHosea Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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