Hosea 2: Difference between revisions

Hosea 2
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4Q166 "The Hosea Commentary Scroll", late first century B.C.
Book	Book of Hosea
Category	Nevi'im
Christian Bible part	Old Testament
Order in the Christian part	28

Hosea 2 is the second chapter of the Book of Hosea in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.^[1][2] This book contains the prophecies spoken by the prophet Hosea son of Beeri, application of the symbols in the first chapter.^[3] It is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets.^[4][5]

The original text was written in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 23 verses.

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew language:

• Masoretic Text (10th century)
• Dead Sea Scrolls (2nd century BC)^[6][7]
  • 4Q78 (4QXII^c): extant verses 11–13 (verses 13–15 in Hebrew Bible)^[6]
  • 4Q79 (4QXII^d): extant verses 1-3 (verses 1–5 in Hebrew Bible)^[6]
  • 4Q82 (4QXII^g): extant verses 2-3, 12-17, 20-23 (verses 1-2, 4–5, 14–19, 22–25 in Hebrew Bible)^[6]
  • 4Q166 (4QpHos^a; Hosea Commentary; Pesher Hoshe'a): extant verses 8–14.^[8][9]

Ancient manuscripts in Koine Greek containing this chapter are mainly of the Septuagint version, including Codex Vaticanus (B; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^S; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^Q; 6th century).^[10]

These three verses reverse the negative meanings of the children's names and apply them to the nation of Israel.^[11] The Masoretic Text numbers the verses as 2:1-3.^[12]

Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi;

and to your sisters, Ruhamah.^[13]

In the two last verses of the former chapter, the prophet did from God promise marvellous mercy to Judah and Israel, to that remnant of the seed of Abraham who returned out of captivity, and to the converted Gentiles; now in this verse he calls upon them to acknowledge the mercy, and to excite one another to mutual love and esteem.^[3]

The verses are numbered in the Masoretic Text as 2:4-17.^[14] The relationship between Yahweh and Israel is depicted as one of husband and wife.^[14] Israel has been unfaithful to her husband and gone whoring after her lovers, the idols/Baals, from whom she hopes to obtain 'grain, wine, oil, and other products', without realizing that those actually come from Yahweh (verses 5, 8).^[14] Therefore, Yahweh will strip her naked (verse 3, 9-10), block her way to find her lovers (verse 6—7), withdraw the grain, wine, etc. (v. 9), and allow her religious festivities to cease (verse 11, 13). Israel will then return to Yahweh, so Yahweh will bring her in the wilderness, responding to him there, like during the Exodus, and bring her again into Canaan (verses 14—15).^[14]

The Masoretic Text numbers these verses as 2:l8~25.^[14] The dominant note of this part is hope that Yahweh and Israel will have a marriage bond again and all will be well.^[14]

And I will sow her unto me in the earth;

and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy;

and I will say to them which were not my people,

Thou art my people;

and they shall say,

Thou art my God.^[15]

• "I will sow her": referring to the meaning of Jezreel (Template:Bibleverser).^[3] Such is the prophet's pictorial representation of a prosperity including food in abundance, refreshment limited by moderation, and even luxuries without stint. Old things are passed away; sinful things have ceased; there is a complete reversal of the sorrowful circumstances into which sin had plunged Israel. God's scattering has now become God's sowing. "I sow her" is the remark of Aben Ezra, "that they may multiply and be fruitful as the seed of the earth." The unpitied one has found mercy; the rejected one is received with rejoicing.^[16]
• "On her that had not obtained mercy": or "upon Loruhamah", or the people of Israel, signified by her (Hosea 1:6) and also the Gentiles, for to both Jews and Gentiles the apostle applies the words in Romans 9:24 and they were fulfilled in part in his time, by the conversion of some of the Jews, and by the calling of the Gentiles; but will have a larger accomplishment in the latter day, when all Israel shall obtain mercy, and be saved; see Romans 11:26 and are applicable to the people of God at all times, when called by grace.^[17]
• "To them which were not my people": or "to Loammi", the people of Israel, signified by the prophet's child of that name (Hosea 1:9), should no longer be called so, but Ammi, "my people", Hosea 2:1.^[17]
• "And they shall say, Thou art my God": (or "shall say, my God") The whole relation of the creature to the Creator is summed up in that one word, "Elohai, my God."^[18] When God called them His people by His grace, then the prophet states they should obey His call, and surrender themselves to Him to own an exclusive relation to God alone.^[18]

• Related Bible parts: Hosea 1

• Hosea 2 Hebrew with Parallel English
• Hosea 2 Hebrew with Rashi's Commentary

• Hosea 2 English Translation with Parallel Latin Vulgate