King James Version

What Does Hosea 3:2 Mean?

Hosea 3:2 in the King James Version says “So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: half: Heb. ...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: half: Heb. lethech”

Hosea 3:2 · KJV

Context

1

Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. of wine: Heb. of grapes

2

So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: half: Heb. lethech

3

And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.

4

For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: image: Heb. a standing, or, statue, or, pillar

Read Hosea 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Redemption price: 'So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley.' Hosea redeems Gomer from slavery/prostitution, paying redemption price. Fifteen shekels of silver plus barley (worth about fifteen shekels) totals thirty pieces—half a slave's value (Exodus 21:32, thirty shekels) or a depreciated price, suggesting Gomer's degraded state. The Hebrew 'bought' (karah) means purchase/acquire. This enacts God's redemption of Israel: paying price to reclaim His unfaithful people. Barley, poorest grain, emphasizes humble means—Hosea wasn't wealthy, yet paid what he had. This foreshadows Christ's redemption: He purchased us 'not with corruptible things, as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ' (1 Peter 1:18-19). The price—Christ's life—infinitely exceeds thirty pieces of silver, demonstrating love's extravagance. We were slaves to sin (Romans 6:17-18); Christ bought our freedom.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Near Eastern context, buying someone from slavery or prostitution demonstrated committed love—not abandonment but costly restoration. Hosea's act symbolized God's determination to redeem Israel despite their unfaithfulness. The modest price (half-value) may reflect Gomer's low state—devalued by sin, yet precious to Hosea. Christ paid ultimate price despite our worthlessness: 'while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' (Romans 5:8). Historical redemption from Babylon required no payment (Isaiah 52:3), demonstrating grace—God redeems freely though we deserve abandonment. Yet Christ's redemption required price paid to satisfy justice (Romans 3:25-26), demonstrating both grace (to us) and justice (in Christ's substitution).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Hosea's costly redemption of worthless Gomer illustrate Christ's costly redemption of worthless sinners?
  2. What does the redemption price teach about both the seriousness of sin (requiring payment) and the magnitude of love (Christ paying it)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וָאֶכְּרֶ֣הָ1 of 9

“So I bought”

H3739

to purchase

לִּ֔י2 of 9
H0
בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה3 of 9
H2568

five

עָשָׂ֖ר4 of 9

“her to me for fifteen”

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

כָּ֑סֶף5 of 9

“pieces of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְחֹ֥מֶר6 of 9

“and for an homer”

H2563

properly, a bubbling up, i.e., of water, a wave; hence, a chomer or dry measure

שְׂעֹרִֽים׃7 of 9

“of barley”

H8184

barley (as villose)

וְלֵ֥תֶךְ8 of 9

“and an half homer”

H3963

a measure for things dry

שְׂעֹרִֽים׃9 of 9

“of barley”

H8184

barley (as villose)

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 3:2 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 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 34:12Ezekiel 45:11Leviticus 27:161 Samuel 18:25Exodus 22:17Isaiah 5:10

Test Your Knowledge

Hosea 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHosea Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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