King James Version

What Does Hosea 1:4 Mean?

Hosea 1:4 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon t... — study this verse from Hosea chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Hosea 1:4 · KJV


Context

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.

6

And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away. Loruhamah: that is, Not having obtained mercy no: Heb. not add any more to but: or, that I should altogether pardon them


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's command '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' names Hosea's first son prophetically. Jezreel (meaning 'God scatters' or 'God sows') references the valley where Jehu executed Ahab's house (2 Kings 9-10), initially fulfilling God's judgment on Baal worship. Yet Jehu himself continued idolatry (2 Kings 10:29-31), making his dynasty guilty. The name prophesies both judgment (scattering in exile) and restoration (sowing for harvest, Hosea 1:11, 2:22-23). God's sovereignty appears in controlling history: He used Jehu to judge Ahab, then judges Jehu's house for continued sin. This demonstrates that even obedience to one divine command doesn't license disobedience elsewhere. Partial obedience is ultimately disobedience.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jehu's violent purge of Ahab's dynasty (2 Kings 9-10) occurred circa 841 BC at Jezreel. Though commissioned by God to destroy Baal worship, Jehu's motives were mixed and his reforms incomplete. By Hosea's time, Jehu's dynasty (which lasted five generations—God's promised reward, 2 Kings 10:30) was ending. Jeroboam II, Jehu's great-great-grandson, was the last stable ruler. His son Zechariah ruled only six months before assassination (752 BC), fulfilling this prophecy. The northern kingdom itself ended 30 years later (722 BC). Jezreel valley, fertile and strategic, witnessed both Israel's greatest victories and ultimate defeat by Assyria.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's judgment on Jehu's house, despite his initial obedience, warn against presuming on God's grace while persisting in sin?
  2. What does the dual meaning of 'Jezreel' (scattering and sowing) reveal about God's judgment containing seeds of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 20

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙2 of 20

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֵלָ֔יו3 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

קְרָ֥א4 of 20

unto him Call

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שְׁמ֖וֹ5 of 20

his name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יִזְרְעֶאל֙6 of 20

Jezreel

H3157

jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites

כִּי7 of 20
H3588

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

ע֣וֹד8 of 20
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

מְעַ֗ט9 of 20

for yet a little

H4592

a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)

וּפָ֨קַדְתִּ֜י10 of 20

while and I will avenge

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֶת11 of 20
H853

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

דְּמֵ֤י12 of 20

the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

יִזְרְעֶאל֙13 of 20

Jezreel

H3157

jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites

עַל14 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בֵּ֥ית15 of 20

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יֵה֔וּא16 of 20

of Jehu

H3058

jehu, the name of five israelites

וְהִ֨שְׁבַּתִּ֔י17 of 20

and will cause to cease

H7673

to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)

מַמְלְכ֖וּת18 of 20

the kingdom

H4468

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

בֵּ֥ית19 of 20

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃20 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


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 1:4 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 1:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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