King James Version

What Does Hosea 1:6 Mean?

Hosea 1:6 in the King James Version says “And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have me...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Hosea 1:6 · KJV

Context

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

7

But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

8

Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The second symbolic name: 'And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.' Lo-ruhamah means 'not pitied' or 'no mercy' (לֹא רֻחָמָה, lo-ruhamah). The Hebrew ruhamah comes from racham (compassion, womb-love), God's tender maternal compassion. Its negation signals withdrawn mercy—devastating for a covenant people dependent on God's hesed (steadfast love). Yet this isn't final: Hosea 2:23 promises 'I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy,' applied by Paul to Gentile inclusion (Romans 9:25, 1 Peter 2:10). God's mercy withdrawn temporarily for judgment precedes mercy extended eternally through Christ. The cross reveals both: God's wrath satisfied and mercy poured out infinitely.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The name prophesied Assyria's merciless treatment of Israel: mass deportation, cultural assimilation, and kingdom's end (722 BC). Ancient Near Eastern warfare was brutal; Assyrian annals boast of atrocities. That God would 'no more have mercy' meant He would not intervene to prevent these historical consequences of covenant rebellion. Yet mercy's withdrawal wasn't absolute or permanent: a remnant survived, and Hosea's larger message promises restoration. The phrase 'but I will utterly take them away' literally reads 'I will surely remove them' (ki naso essa lahem), fulfilled in exile. This demonstrates that divine warnings are not idle threats but certain outcomes if repentance doesn't occur.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should I respond when God's mercy seems withdrawn and I experience consequences of sin rather than immediate deliverance?
  2. What does God's promise to show mercy to 'her who had not obtained mercy' teach about the gospel's offer to those who deserve judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַתַּ֤הַר1 of 22

“And she conceived again”

H2029

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

עוֹד֙2 of 22
H5750

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

וַתֵּ֣לֶד3 of 22

“and bare”

H3205

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

בַּ֔ת4 of 22

“a daughter”

H1323

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

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר5 of 22

“And God said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֔וֹ6 of 22
H0
קְרָ֥א7 of 22

“unto him Call”

H7121

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

שְׁמָ֖הּ8 of 22

“her name”

H8034

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

לֹ֣א9 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

רֻחָ֑מָה10 of 22

“Loruhamah”

H3819

lo-ruchamah, the name of hosea's daughter

כִּי֩11 of 22
H3588

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

לֹ֨א12 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אוֹסִ֜יף13 of 22

“for I will no more”

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

ע֗וֹד14 of 22
H5750

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

אֲרַחֵם֙15 of 22

“have mercy”

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

אֶת16 of 22
H853

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

בֵּ֣ית17 of 22

“upon the house”

H1004

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל18 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

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

כִּֽי19 of 22
H3588

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

אֶשָּׂ֖א20 of 22

“but I will utterly”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶשָּׂ֖א21 of 22

“but I will utterly”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

לָהֶֽם׃22 of 22
H0

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 1:6 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 1:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Peter 2:10Hosea 2:23Isaiah 27:11Hosea 2:42 Kings 17:62 Kings 17:23-41

Test Your Knowledge

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

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