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1 <1> This is the Lord’s message that came to Hosea son of Beeri during the time that Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah, and Jeroboam son of Joash was king of Israel.
<2> This was the Lord’s first message to Hosea. The Lord said, “Go, marry a prostitute who has had children as a result of her prostitution. Do this because the people in this country have acted like prostitutes—they have been unfaithful to the Lord.”
<3> So Hosea married Gomer daughter of Diblaim. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son for Hosea. <4> The Lord said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel,[1] because soon I will punish the family of Jehu for the people he killed at Jezreel Valley.[2] Then I will put an end to the kingdom of the nation[3] of Israel. <5> And at that time I will break Israel’s bow at Jezreel Valley.”
<6> Then Gomer became pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. The Lord said to Hosea, “Name her Lo-Ruhamah,[4] because I will not show mercy to the nation of Israel any more, nor will I forgive them. <7> But I will show mercy to the nation of Judah. I will save them, but I will not use bows or swords or war horses and soldiers to save them. I will save them by my own power.[5]”
<8> After Gomer had finished nursing Lo-Ruhamah, she became pregnant again and gave birth to a son. <9> Then the Lord said, “Name him Lo-Ammi,[6] because you are not my people, and I am not your God.”
<10> “In the future the number of the people of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which you cannot measure or count. Then, it will happen that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said to them, ‘You are the children of the living God.’
<11> “Then the people of Judah and the people of Israel will be gathered together. They will choose one ruler for themselves, and their nation will be too large for the land.[7] Jezreel’s day will be great!”
2
<1> “Then you will say to your brothers, ‘You are my people,’ and you will say to your sisters, ‘He has shown mercy to you.’”[8]
<2> “Argue with your mother.[9] Argue with her because she is no longer my wife, and I am no longer her husband! Tell her to stop being like a prostitute. Tell her to take away her lovers[10] from between her breasts. <3> If she refuses to stop her adultery, I will strip her naked and leave her like the day she was born. I will take away her people, and she will be like an empty, dry desert. I will kill her with thirst. <4> I will have no pity on her children because they are the children of prostitution. <5> Their mother has acted like a prostitute. She should be ashamed of what she did. She said, ‘I will go to my lovers,[11] who give me food and water, wool and linen, wine, and olive oil.’
<6> “So I (the Lord) will block your (Israel’s) road with thorns, and I will build a wall. Then she will not be able to find her path. <7> She will run after her lovers, but she will not be able to catch up with them. She will look for her lovers, but she will not be able to find them. Then she will say, ‘I will go back to my first husband (the Lord). Life was better for me when I was with him. Life was better then than it is now.’
<8> “She (Israel) didn’t know that I (the Lord) was the one who gave her grain, wine, and oil. I kept giving her more and more silver and gold, but she used this silver and gold to make statues of Baal.[12] <9> So I will return and take back my grain at the time it is ready to be harvested. I will take back my wine at the time the grapes are ready. I will take back my wool and linen. I gave those things to her so that she could cover her naked body. <10> Now I will strip her. She will be naked, so all her lovers can see her. No one will be able to save her from my power.[13] <11> I will take away all her fun. I will stop her festivals, her New Moon[14] celebrations, and her days of rest. I will stop all her special feasts. <12> I will destroy her vines and fig trees. She said, ‘My lovers gave these things to me.’ But I will change her gardens—they will become like a wild forest. Wild animals will come and eat from those plants.
<13> “She served false gods,[15] so I will punish her. She burned incense[16] to those false gods. She dressed up—she put on her jewelry and nose ring. Then she went to her lovers and forgot me.” This is what the Lord has said.
<14> “So I (the Lord) will speak romantic words to her. I will lead her into the desert and speak tender words. <15> There I will give her vineyards.[17] I will give her Achor Valley as a doorway of hope. Then she will answer as she did when she came out of the land of Egypt.” <16> This is what the Lord says.
“At that time you will call me ‘My husband.’ You will not call me ‘My Baal.’[18] <17> I will take the names of those false gods out of her mouth. Then people will not use those names again.
<18> “At that time I will make an agreement for the Israelites with the animals of the field, the birds of the sky, and the crawling things on the ground. I will break the bow, the sword, and the weapons of war in that land. I will make the land safe, so the people of Israel can lie down in peace. <19> And I will make you my bride forever. I will make you my bride with goodness and justice and with love and mercy. <20> I will make you my faithful bride. Then you will really know the Lord. <21> And at that time I will respond.” This is what the Lord says.
“I will speak to the skies,
and they will give rain to the earth.
<22> The earth will produce grain, wine, and oil,
and they will meet Jezreel’s needs.
<23> I will sow her many seeds[19] on her land.
To Lo-Ruhamah,[20]
I will show mercy.
To Lo-Ammi,[21]
I will say, ‘You are my people.’
And they will say to me,
‘You are my God.’”
3 <1> Then the Lord said to me again, “Gomer[22] has many lovers, but you must continue loving her. Do this because it is an example of the Lord’s love for Israel. He continues to love them, but they continue to turn to other gods, and they love to eat those raisin cakes.[23]”
<2> So I bought Gomer back for 6 ounces[24] of silver and 9 bushels[25] of barley. <3> Then I told her, “You must stay at home with me for many days. You will not be like a prostitute. You will not have sexual relations with another man. I will be your husband.”
<4> In the same way the people of Israel will continue many days without a king or a leader. They will be without a sacrifice or a memorial stone.[26] They will be without an ephod[27] or a household god. <5> After this, the people of Israel will come back and look for the Lord their God and for David their king. In the last days they will come to honor the Lord and his goodness.
4 <1> People of Israel, listen to the Lord’s message. The Lord will tell his argument against those who live in this country. “The people in this country don’t really know God. They are not true and loyal to him. <2> They swear, lie, kill, and steal. They commit the sin of adultery[28] and have their babies. They murder one person after another[29] <3> So the country is like someone crying for the dead, and all of its people are weak. Even the animals of the field, the birds of the sky, and the fish in the sea are dying.[30] <4> No one should argue or blame another pers
on. Priest, my argument is with you![31] <5> You (priests) will fall in the daytime. And at night the prophet will also fall with you. I will also destroy your mother.
<6> “My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge. You have refused to learn, so I will refuse to let you be a priest for me. You have forgotten the law of your God, so I will forget your children. <7> They became proud. They sinned more and more against me, so I will change their honor to shame.”
<8> The priests fed on the people’s sins. They wanted more and more of their sin offerings.[32] <9> So the priests are no different from the people. I will punish them for the things they did. I will pay them back for the wrong things they did. <10> They will eat, but they will not be satisfied. They will commit sexual sins, but they will not have babies.[33] This is because they left the Lord and became like prostitutes.
<11> “Sexual sins, strong drink, and new wine ruin a person’s ability to think straight. <12> My people are asking pieces of wood for advice. They think those sticks will answer them, because they have chased after those false gods like prostitutes. They left their God and became like prostitutes. <13> They make sacrifices on the tops of the mountains and burn incense[34] on the hills under oak trees, poplar trees, and elm trees.[35] The shade under those trees looks nice. So your daughters lie under those trees like prostitutes, and your daughters-in-law commit sexual sins.
<14> “I cannot blame[36] your daughters for being prostitutes or your daughters-in-law for committing sexual sins, because the men go and have sex with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with the temple prostitutes.[37] So these fools are destroying themselves.
<15> “Israel, just because you act like a prostitute doesn’t mean that Judah should feel guilty too. People, don’t go to Gilgal[38] or Beth-aven.[39] Don’t use the Lord’s name to make promises. Don’t say, ‘As the Lord lives …!’ <16> The Lord has given many things to Israel. He is like a shepherd who takes his sheep to a large field with plenty of grass. But Israel is stubborn like a young cow that runs away again and again.
<17> “Ephraim[40] has joined his idols,[41] so leave him alone. <18> Ephraim has joined their drunkenness. Let them continue to be prostitutes. Let them be with their lovers.[42] <19> They went to those gods for safety, and they have lost their ability to think.[43] Their altars will bring them shame.
5 <1> “Priests, nation[44] of Israel, and people in the king’s family, listen to me. You have been judged guilty!
“You were like a trap at Mizpah[45] and like a net spread on the ground at Tabor.[46] <2> You have done many evil things,[47] so I will punish you all. <3> I know Ephraim.[48] I know what Israel has done. Ephraim, right now you act like a prostitute. Israel is dirty with sin. <4> The people of Israel have done many evil things, and these evil things keep them from coming back to their God. They are always thinking of ways to chase after other gods. They don’t know the Lord. <5> Israel’s pride is a witness against them,[49] so Israel and Ephraim will stumble in their sin. But Judah will also stu mble with them.
<6> “The leaders of the people went to look for the Lord. They took their ‘sheep’ and ‘cows’ with them, but they did not find the Lord because he refused to accept them. <7> They have not been faithful to the Lord. Their children are from some stranger. And now, he will destroy them and their land again.[50]
<8> “Blow the horn in Gibeah.
Blow the trumpet in Ramah.[51]
Give the warning at Beth-Aven.
The enemy is behind you, Benjamin.
<9> Ephraim[52] will become empty
at the time of punishment.
I (God) warn the families of Israel
that this really will happen.
<10> The leaders of Judah are like thieves
trying to steal someone’s property,
so I will pour out my anger
on them like water.
<11> Ephraim will be punished.
He will be crushed and pressed like grapes,
because he decided to follow filth.
<12> I will destroy Ephraim,
like a moth destroys a piece of cloth.
I [will destroy] Judah,
like rot [destroys a piece of wood].
<13> Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound,
so they went to Assyria for help.
They told their problems to the great king,
but he cannot heal you or cure your wound.
<14> I will be like a lion to Ephraim,
like a young lion to the nation of Judah.
I—yes, I will rip them to pieces.
I will carry them away,
and no one can save them.
<15> I will go back to my place,
until the people admit they are guilty,
until they come looking for me.
Yes, in their trouble they will try very hard to find me.”
6 <1> “Come, let’s go back to the Lord.
He hurt us, but he will heal us.
He wounded us, but he will put bandages on us.
<2> After two days he will bring us back to life.
He will raise us up on the third day.
Then we can live near him.
<3> Let’s learn about the Lord.
Let’s try very hard to know him.
We know he is coming,
like we know the dawn is coming.
He will come to us like the rain,
like the spring rain that waters the ground.”
<4> “Ephraim,[53] what should I do with you?
Judah, what should I do with you?
Your faithfulness is like a morning mist.
Your faithfulness is like the dew
that goes away early in the morning.
<5> I used the prophets
and made laws for the people.
The people were killed at my command,
but good things will come from those decisions.[54]
<6> This is because I want faithful love,
not sacrifice,
I want people to know God,
not to bring burnt offerings.[55]
<7> But the people broke the Agreement
as Adam did.[56]
They were unfaithful to me in their country.
<8> Gilead is a city of people who do evil.
People have tricked and killed other people.
<9> Robbers hide and wait to attack someone.
In the same way, priests wait on the road to Shechem
and attack whoever passes by.
They have done evil things.
<10> I have seen a terrible thing
in the nation[57] of Israel.
Ephraim was unfaithful to God.
Israel is dirty with sin.
<11> Judah, there is also a time of harvest for you.
It will happen when I bring my people
back from captivity.[58]
Then people will know that Ephraim sinned.
They will know about Samaria’s[59] lies.
They will know about the thieves who come and go in that town.
<2> They don’t believe
that I will remember their crimes.
The bad things they did are all around.
I can see their sins clearly.
<3> Their evil makes their king happy.
Their false gods please their leaders.
<4> A baker presses dough to make bread.
He puts the bread in the oven.
He does not make the fire hotter
while the bread is rising.
But the people of Israel are not like that.
They are always making their fire hotter.
<5> On Our King’s Day, the leaders get so drunk that they get sick.
They become crazy with wine
and make agreements with people who laugh at God.
<6> The people make their secret plans.
Their hearts burn with excitement like an oven.
Their excitement burns all night,
and in the morning it is like a hot fire.
<7> They are all like hot ovens.
They destroyed their rulers.
All their kings fell.
Not one of them called to me for help.
<8> “Ephraim[60] mixes with the nations.
Ephraim is like a cake that was not cooked on both sides.
<9> Strangers destroy Ephraim’s strength,
but Ephraim does not know it.
Gray hairs[61] are also sprinkled on Ephraim,
but Ephraim does not know it.
<10> Ephraim’s pride speaks against him.
The people had many troubles,
but they still didn’t go back to the Lord their God.
They didn’t look to him for help.
<11> So Ephraim has become like a silly dove without understanding.
The people called to Egypt for help.
They went to Assyria for help.
<12> They go to those countries for help,
but I will trap them.
I will throw my net over them,
and I will bring them down like the birds of the sky.
I will punish them for their agreements.[62]
<13> It will be very bad for those who left me.
They refused to obey me, so they will be destroyed.
I saved them,
but they speak lies against me.
<14> They never call to me from their hearts.
Yes, they cry on their beds.
And they cut themselves when they ask for grain and new wine.
But in their hearts, they have turned away from me.
<15> I trained them and made their arms strong,
but they made evil plans against me.
<16> But they were like a boomerang.[63]
They changed directions,
but they did not come back to me.[64]
Their leaders bragged about their strength,
but they will be killed with swords.
And the people in Egypt will laugh at them.
8 <1> “Put the trumpet to your lips and give the warning. Be like an eagle over the Lord’s house.[65] The Israelites have broken my Agreement. They have not obeyed my law. <2> They yell out at me, ‘My God, we in Israel know you!’ <3> But Israel refused the good things, so the enemy chases him. <4> The Israelites chose their kings, but they didn’t come to me for advice. They chose leaders, but they didn’t choose men I knew. The Israelites used their silver and gold to make idols[66] for themselves, so they will be destroyed. <5-6> The Lord has refused your calf, Samaria.[67] God says, ‘I am very angry with the Israelites.’ The people of Israel will be punished for their sin. Some worker made those statues. They are not God. Samaria’s calf will be broken into pieces. <7> The Israelites did a foolish thing—it was like trying to plant the wind. But they will get only troubles—they will harvest a whirlwind. The grain in the fields will grow, but it will give no food. Even if it grew something, strangers would eat it.
<8> Israel was destroyed;
its people are scattered among the nations
like some dish that was thrown away because no one wanted it.
<9> Ephraim[68] went to his ‘lovers.’[69]
Like a stubborn donkey, they led him off to Assyria.
<10> Yes, Israel was taken to the nations,
but I will bring them back.
But first, they must suffer a little
by carrying the burden of that mighty king.
<11> “Ephraim[70] built more and more altars,[71]
and that was a sin.
They have been altars of sin for Ephraim.
<12> Even if I wrote 10,000 laws for Ephraim,
he would treat them as if they were for some stranger.
<13> The Israelites love sacrifices.[72]
They offer the meat and eat it.
The Lord does not accept their sacrifices.
He remembers their sins,
and he will punish them.
They will be carried away as prisoners to Egypt.
<14> Israel built kings’ houses,
but it forgot its Maker!
Now Judah builds fortresses,[73]
but I will send a fire on Judah’s cities, and the fire will destroy its fortresses!”
9 <1> Israel, don’t celebrate like the nations do. Don’t be happy. You acted like a prostitute and left your God. You committed your sexual sin[74] on every threshing[75] floor. <2> But the grain from those threshing floors will not provide enough food for Israel. There will not be enough wine for Israel.
<3> The Israelites will not stay in the Lord’s land. Ephraim[76] will return to Egypt. In Assyria they will eat food that they should not eat. <4> The Israelites will not give offerings of wine to the Lord. They will not offer sacrifices to him. Their sacrifices will be like food eaten at a funeral[77]—whoever eats it will become unclean. Their bread will not go into the Lord’s Temple—they will have to eat that bread by themselves. <5> They will not be able to celebrate the Lord’s feasts or festivals.[78]
<6> The people of Israel left because the enemy took everything from them. But Egypt will take the people themselves. Memphis[79] will bury them. Weeds will grow over their silver treasures, and thorns will grow where the Israelites lived.
<7> The prophet says, “Israel, learn this: The time of punishment has come. The time has come for you to pay for the evil things you did.” But the people of Israel say, “The prophet is a fool. This man with [God’s] Spirit is crazy.” The prophet says, “You will be punished for your bad sins. You will be punished for your hate.” <8> God and the prophet are like guards watching over Ephraim,[80] but there are many traps along his way. And people hate the prophet, even in the house of his God.
<9> The Israelites have gone deep into ruin as in the time of Gibeah.[81] The Lord will remember the Israelites’ sins, and he will punish their sins.
<10> “At the time I (the Lord) found Israel, they were like fresh grapes in the desert. They were like the first figs on a fig tree at the beginning of the season. But when they came to Baal-Peor,[82] they changed. So I had to cut them off like rotten fruit.[83] They became like the terrible things that they loved.
<11> “Like a bird, Ephraim’s[84] glory will fly away. There will be no more pregnancies, no more births, and no more babies. <12> But even if the Israelites do raise their children, it will not help, because I will take the children away from them. I will leave them, and they will have nothing but troubles.”
<13> I can see that Ephraim is leading his children into a trap. Ephraim will lead his children out to the killer. <14> Lord, give them what you will. Give them a womb that loses babies and breasts that cannot give milk.
<15> All their evil is in Gilgal[85];
I began hating them there.
I will force them to leave my house
because of the evil things they do.
I will not love them any more.
Their leaders are rebels who turned against me.
<16> Ephraim will be punished.
Their root is dying.
They will not have any more babies.
They might give birth to babies,
but I will kill the precious babies who come from their bodies.
<17> Those people will not listen to my God,
so he will refuse to listen to them.
And they will wander among the nations without a home.
10 <1> Israel is like a vine that grows plenty of fruit.
But as Israel got more and more things,
he built more and more altars[86] to honor false gods.
His land became better and better,
so he put up better and better stones to honor false gods.
<2> The people of Israel tried to trick God,
but now they must accept their guilt.
The Lord will break down their altars
and destroy their memorial stones.[87]
<3> Now the Israelites say, “We have no king. We don’t honor the Lord. And his king cannot do anything to us.”
<4> They make promises, but they are only telling lies. They don’t keep their promises. They make agreements [with other countries. God does not like those agreements]. The judges are like poisonous weeds growing in a plowed field.
<5> The people from Samaria[88] worship the calves at Beth-Aven.[89] They will cry. The priests will cry, because their beautiful idol is gone. It was carried away. <6> It was carried away as a gift to the great king of Assyria. He will keep Ephraim’s[90] shameful idol. Israel will be ashamed of its idol.[91] <7> Samaria’s false god[92] will be destroyed. It will be like a piece of wood floating away on the water’s surface.
<8> Israel sinned and built many high places.[93] The high places of Aven[94] will be destroyed. Thorns and weeds will grow on their altars.[95] Then they will say to the mountains, “Cover us!” and to the hills, “Fall on us!”
<9> “Israel, you have sinned since the time of Gibeah.[96] (And the people have continued to sin there.) Those evil people at Gibeah will be trapped by war. <10> I will come to punish them. Armies will come together against them and punish the Israelites for both of their sins.
<11> “Ephraim[97] is like a trained young cow that loves to walk on grain on the threshing[98] floor. I will put a good yoke[99] on her neck. I will put the ropes on Ephraim. Then Judah will begin plowing. Jacob[100] will break the ground himself.”
<12> If you plant goodness, you will harvest faithful love. Plow your ground, and you will harvest with the Lord. He will come, and he will make goodness fall on you like rain.
<13> But you planted evil, and you harvested trouble. You ate the fruit of your lies, because you had trusted in your power and your soldiers. <14> So your armies will hear the noise of battle, and all your fortresses[101] will be destroyed. It will be like the time Shalman[102] destroyed Beth Arbel. At that time of war mothers were killed with their children. <15> And this will happen to you at Bethel, because you did so many evil things. When that day begins, the king of Israel will be fully destroyed.
“I loved Israel when he was a child,
and I called my son out of Egypt.
<2> But the more I[103] called the Israelites,
the more they left me.
The Israelites gave sacrifices to the false gods[104]
and burned incense[105] to the idols.[106]
<3> “But I was the one who taught Ephraim[107] to walk.
I took the Israelites in my arms.
I healed them,
but they don’t know that.
<4> I led them with ropes,[108]
but they were ropes of love.
I was like a person who set them free.[109]
I bent down and fed them.
<5> “The Israelites will not go back to Egypt. The king of Assyria will become their king, because they refused to turn back to God. <6> The sword will swing against their cities and kill their strong men. It will destroy their leaders.
<7> “My people expect me to come back. They will call to God above, but he will not help them.”[110]
<8> “Ephraim,[111] I don’t want to give you up.
Israel, I want to protect you.
I don’t want to make you like Admah.
I don’t want to make you like Zeboiim.[112]
I am changing my mind.
My love for you is too strong.
<9> I will not let my terrible anger win.
I will not destroy Ephraim again.
I am God and not a human.
I am the Holy One.
I am with you.
I will not show my anger.
<10> I will roar like a lion.
I will roar, and my children will come and follow me.
My children will come from the west,
shaking with fear.
<11> They will come from Egypt,
shaking like birds.
They will come shaking like doves from the land of Assyria,
and I will take them back home.”
This is what the Lord said.
<12> “Ephraim surrounded me with false gods.
The people of Israel turned against me.[113]
[And they were destroyed!]
But Judah still walks with El.[114]
Judah is true to the holy ones.[115]”
12 <1> Ephraim[116] is wasting its time; Israel “chases the wind” all day long. The people tell more and more lies and steal more and more. They have made agreements with Assyria, and they are carrying their olive oil to Egypt.
<2> [The Lord says,] “I have a complaint against Israel.[117] Jacob[118] must be punished for the bad things he did. <3> While Jacob was still in his mother’s womb, he began to trick his brother.[119] Jacob was a strong young man, and at that time, he fought with God. <4> Jacob wrestled with God’s angel and won.[120] He cried and asked for a favor. That happened at Bethel. There he spoke to us. <5> Yes, Yahweh is the God of the armies.[121] His name is Yahweh. <6> So come back to your God. Be loyal to him. Do the right thing, and always trust in your God!
<7> “Jacob is a real merchant.[122][123] He even cheats his friend! Even his scales[124] lie. <8> Ephraim said, ‘I am rich! I have found true riches! No one will learn about my crimes. No one will learn about my sins.’
<9> “But I have been the Lord your God since you were in the land of Egypt. I will make you live in tents—like during the time of the Tent of Meeting.[125] <10> I spoke to the prophets and gave them many visions.[126] I gave the prophets many ways to teach my lessons to you. <11> But the people in Gilead[127] have sinned. There are many terrible idols in that place. They offer sacrifices to bulls at Gilgal.[128] They have many altars.[129] There are rows and rows of altars—like the rows of dirt in a plowed field.
<12> “Jacob ran away to the land of Aram. There Israel[130] worked for a wife. He kept sheep to get another wife. <13> But the Lord used a prophet and brought Israel out of Egypt. He used a prophet and kept Israel safe. <14> But Ephraim caused the Lord to be very angry. Ephraim killed many people, so he will be punished for his crimes. His master, the Lord, will make him bear his shame.”
13 <1> “The tribe of Ephraim[131] made itself very important in Israel. Ephraim spoke and people shook with fear. But Ephraim sinned by worshiping Baal.[132] <2> Now the Israelites sin more and more. They make idols[133] for themselves. Workers make those fancy statues from silver, and then they talk to their statues. They offer sacrifices to them, and they kiss those calf idols. <3> That is why those people will soon disappear. They will be like a fog that comes early in the morning and then quickly disappears. The Israelites will be like chaff[134] that is blown from the
threshing[135] floor. The Israelites will be like smoke that rises from a chimney and disappears.
<4> “I have been the Lord your God since the time you were in the land of Egypt. You did not know any other god except me. I am the one who saved you. <5> I knew you in the desert—I knew you in that dry land. <6> I gave food to the Israelites, and they ate it. They became full and satisfied. They became proud, and then they forgot me.
<7> “That is why I will be like a lion to them. I will be like a leopard waiting by the road. <8> I will attack them like a bear whose cubs were robbed from her. I will attack them and rip open their chests. I will be like a lion or other wild animal tearing and eating its prey.
<9> “Israel, I helped you, but you turned against me. So now I will destroy you. <10> Where is your king? Can he save you in any of your cities? Where are your judges? You asked for them, saying, ‘Give me a king and leaders.’[136] <11> I was angry, and I gave you a king. And when I became very angry, I took him away.
<12> “Ephraim[137] tried to hide his guilt.
He thought his sins were a secret,
but he will be punished.
<13> His punishment will be like the pain
that a woman feels giving birth.
He will not be a wise son.
The time will come for his birth,
and he will not survive.
<14> “I will save them from the grave.
I will rescue them from death.
Death, where are your diseases?
Grave, where is your power?
I am not looking for revenge.
<15> Israel grows among his brothers,
but a powerful east wind will come— the Lord’s wind will blow from the desert.
Then his well will dry up.
His spring of water will be dry.
The wind will take away anything of value.
<16> Samaria must be punished
because she turned against her God.
The Israelites will be killed with swords.
Their children will be torn to pieces,
and their pregnant women will be ripped open.”
14 <1> Israel, you fell and sinned against God. So come back to the Lord your God. <2> Think about what you will say, and come back to the Lord. Say to him,
“Take away our sin,
and accept these words as our sacrifice.
We offer you the praise from our lips.[138]
<3> “Assyria will not save us.
We will not ride on war horses.
We will never again say, ‘Our God’
to something we made with our hands.
This is because you are the one who
shows mercy to orphans.”
<4> The Lord says,
“I will forgive them for leaving me.
I will show them my love without limits,
because I have stopped being angry.
<5> I will be like the dew to Israel.
Israel will blossom like the lily.[139]
He will grow like the cedar trees of Lebanon.
<6> His branches will grow,
and he will be like a beautiful olive tree.
He will be like the sweet smell
from the cedar trees of Lebanon.
<7> The people of Israel will again live under my protection.
They will grow like grain.
They will bloom like a vine.
They will be like the wine of Lebanon.
<8> “Ephraim,[140] I will have nothing more to do with idols.[141]
I am the one who answers your prayers and watches over you.[142]
I am like a fir tree that is always green.
Your fruit comes from me.”
<9> A wise person understands these things,
and a smart person should learn them.
The Lord’s ways are right.
Good people will live by them.
Sinners will die by them.[143]
[1] 1:4 Jezreel This name in Hebrew means “God will plant seeds.”
[2] 1:4 people … at Jezreel Valley See 2 Kings 9-10 for the story of Jehu’s revolt at Jezreel Valley.
[3] 1:4 nation Literally, “house.” This might mean the royal family of that country. Also in verse 6.
[4] 1:6 Lo-Ruhamah This name in Hebrew means “She receives no mercy.” Also in verse 8.
[5] 1:7 by my own power Literally, “by the Lord their God.”
[6] 1:9 Lo-Ammi This name in Hebrew means “not my people.”
[7] 1:11 their nation … land Literally, “they will go up from the land.”
[8] 2:1 Or, “Then say to your brothers, ‘My people,’ and to your sisters, ‘You have been shown mercy.’”
[9] 2:2 mother This means the nation of Israel.
[10] 2:2 her lovers Or, “adulteries.” Adultery means breaking a marriage promise by sexual sin. God was like a husband to Israel. But Israel was worshiping false gods—this was spiritual adultery against God.
[11] 2:5 lovers This means Israel’s false gods. Also in verses 7, 10, 13.
[12] 2:8 Baal A false god worshiped by the Canaanites. They believed he brought rain and storms and made the land produce good crops.
[13] 2:10 power Literally, “hand.”
[14] 2:11 New Moon The first day of the month for Israelites or Jews, which they celebrated as a special day of rest and worship. The people met together and shared in the fellowship offerings like those described in Lev. 7:16-21.
[15] 2:13 false gods Literally, “Baals.”
[16] 2:13 incense Special dried tree sap that was burned to make a sweet-smelling smoke and offered as a gift to God.
[17] 2:15 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.
[18] 2:16 My Baal This is a wordplay. Baal was a Canaanite god, but the name also means “lord or husband.”
[19] 2:23 I will sow her many seeds Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi are Hosea’s children. But the names also have special meanings. The name Jezreel means “God will plant seeds.” But Jezreel is also the name of a large valley in Israel. This probably shows that God will bring his people back to Israel.
[20] 2:23 Lo-Ruhamah This name in Hebrew means “She receives no mercy.”
[21] 2:23 Lo-Ammi This name in Hebrew means “not my people.”
[22] 3:1 Gomer Literally, “a woman.”
[23] 3:1 raisin cakes This food was used in the feasts that honored false gods such as the “Queen of Heaven.”
[24] 3:2 6 ounces Literally, “15 [shekels]” (172.5g).
[25] 3:2 9 bushels Literally, “1 homer and 1 letek” (231 l).
[26] 3:4 memorial stone A stone that was set up to help people remember something special. In ancient Israel, people often set up stones at places where they worshiped false gods.
[27] 3:4 ephod A special vest (coat) worn by the Israelite high priest. See Ex. 28:6-14.
[28] 4:2 adultery Breaking a marriage promise by committing sexual sin.
[29] 4:2 and have their … after another Literally, “they break out, and blood touches blood.”
[30] 4:3 dying Literally, “being taken away.”
[31] 4:4 Or, “The people cannot complain or blame someone else. The people are helpless, like arguing with a priest.” Many times the priests and Levites served as judges, and their decisions were final.
[32] 4:8 This is a wordplay. The word “sins” also means “sin offerings.” So instead of eating sacrifices, the priests became hungry for sin itself.
[33] 4:10 They … babies A part of worshiping the false gods was having sexual relations with temple prostitutes. The people thought this would make the gods happy. And then the gods would give the people large families and good crops.
[34] 4:13 incense Special dried tree sap that was burned to make a sweet-smelling smoke and offered as a gift to God.
[35] 4:13 under … trees Trees and groves were an important part of worshiping false gods.
[36] 4:14 blame This word can mean “visit,” “put in charge of,” “take account of,” or “to hold responsible for.”
[37] 4:14 temple prostitutes Women who were prostitutes at the temples of the false gods. Their sexual sins were part of worshiping those false gods.
[38] 4:15 Gilgal A city in Israel where people had worshiped God but later became known as a place where people worshiped false gods.
[39] 4:15 Beth-aven A name meaning “House of Evil.” It is a wordplay on the name “Bethel,” a name meaning “House of God.” There was a temple in this town. Also in 5:8.
[40] 4:17 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[41] 4:17 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.
[42] 4:18 lovers This means Israel’s false gods.
[43] 4:19 They … think Or, “The wind has carried them away on its wings” or “The spirit held them tight in its wings.” This verse is very hard to understand in Hebrew.
[44] 5:1 nation Literally, “house.” This might mean the royal family of that country. Also in verse 14.
[45] 5:1 Mizpah A mountain in Israel. The people worshiped the false gods on many of the hills and mountains.
[46] 5:1 Tabor A mountain in Israel.
[47] 5:2 You have done many evil things This sentence is hard to understand in Hebrew, probably because there is a wordplay and a reference to things we are not sure of.
[48] 5:3 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[49] 5:5 them Literally, “his face.”
[50] 5:7 And now … again Here, the Hebrew is hard to understand.
[51] 5:8 Gibeah, Ramah Cities on Judah’s border with Israel.
[52] 5:9 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[53] 6:4 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[54] 6:5 but good things … decisions Or, “I cut them with the prophets. I killed them with the words from my mouth. Light will come from your decisions.”
[55] 6:6 burnt offering A gift to God. Usually these were animals that were killed and completely burned on the altar.
[56] 6:7 as Adam did See Gen. 3.
[57] 6:10 nation Literally, “house.” This might mean the royal family of that country.
[58] 6:11 It will happen … captivity Or, “It will happen when I restore my people’s fortune.”
[59] 7:1 Samaria The capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel.
[60] 7:8 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[61] 7:9 Gray hairs This word might describe something that was put on the food when people cooked, something that looked like gray hairs.
[62] 7:12 for their agreements Or, “for the report of their treaties.”
[63] 7:16 boomerang A curved stick used in hunting birds. When thrown properly, it flies low to the ground and suddenly curves upward, often returning to the thrower. Literally, “a bow of throwing” or “a bow of deception.”
[64] 7:16 They changed … to me Or, “They turned, but not upward” or “They turned to the ‘no-gods.’” That is, the statues people worshiped as gods.
[65] 8:1 Be like an eagle … Lord’s house Or, “Be like a guard over the Lord’s house.”
[66] 8:4 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.
[67] 8:5-6 calf, Samaria Samaria was the capital city of Israel. The people of Israel made statues of calves and put them in the temples at Dan and Bethel. It is not clear if these statues represented the Lord or some false god. But God didn’t want them to use these statues. See 1 Kings 12:26-30.
[68] 8:9 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[69] 8:9 lovers This means Israel’s false gods.
[70] 8:11 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[71] 8:11 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also “golden altar.”
[72] 8:13 The Israelites love sacrifices This line is uncertain.
[73] 8:14 fortress A building or city with tall, strong walls for protection.
[74] 9:1 You committed your sexual sin This means the people were not faithful to God. But it also means the people had sexual relations with temple prostitutes. They believed their false gods would give them many children and good crops.
[75] 9:1 threshing Putting newly harvested wheat or other grain on a hard floor and walking on it or beating it with special tools to separate the hulls from the grain.
[76] 9:3 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[77] 9:4 sacrifices … funeral Literally, “bread of mourners.” See Num. 19:11-22.
[78] 9:5 Literally, “What will you do for a day of solemn assembly, for the Lord’s festival day?”
[79] 9:6 Memphis An important city in Egypt.
[80] 9:8 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[81] 9:9 Gibeah A place where some men from the tribe of Benjamin committed a terrible sin. See Judges 19 and 20.
[82] 9:10 Baal-Peor This happened when Moses was still leading the Israelites in the desert. Read Num. 25:1-5.
[83] 9:10 they changed … rotten fruit This is a wordplay that can also mean “they dedicated themselves to a shameful idol.”
[84] 9:11 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[85] 9:15 Gilgal A city in Israel where people had worshiped God but later became known as a place where people worshiped false gods.
[86] 10:1 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also “golden altar.”
[87] 10:2 memorial stone A stone that was set up to help people remember something special. In ancient Israel, people often set up stones at places where they worshiped false gods.
[88] 10:5 Samaria During Old Testament times, the capital city of Israel, the northern Israelite kingdom. In New Testament times, the name refers to the central hill country, the general area that had been occupied by the northern kingdom.
[89] 10:5 Beth-aven A name meaning “House of Evil.” It is a wordplay on the name “Bethel,” a name meaning “House of God.” There was a temple in this town.
[90] 10:6 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[91] 10:6 idol Or, “advice.”
[92] 10:7 false god Or, “king.”
[93] 10:8 high place A place of worship usually on top of a hill, a mountain, or a man-made platform. Although high places were sometimes used for the worship of Yahweh, they are most often associated with pagan worship of false gods.
[94] 10:8 high places of Aven Aven means “evil” or “wickedness.” This probably means the temple and other places of worship at Bethel.
[95] 10:8 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also “golden altar.”
[96] 10:9 Gibeah A place where some men from the tribe of Benjamin committed a terrible sin. See Judges 19 and 20.
[97] 10:11 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[98] 10:11 threshing Putting newly harvested wheat or other grain on a hard floor and walking on it or beating it with special tools to separate the hulls from the grain.
[99] 10:11 yoke A pole that was put across the shoulders of men, usually slaves, or animals and used in pulling or carrying heavy loads.
[100] 10:11 Jacob Another name for Israel (see Gen. 32:24-28), ancestor of the people of Israel (also called Israelites and, later, Jews). He was the father of twelve sons from whom the twelve tribes of Israel descended.
[101] 10:14 fortress A building or city with tall, strong walls for protection.
[102] 10:14 Shalman This is probably Shalmaneser, king of Assyria.
[103] 11:2 I This is from the ancient Greek version. The Hebrew says, “they.”
[104] 11:2 false gods Literally, “Baals.”
[105] 11:2 incense Special dried tree sap that was burned to make a sweet-smelling smoke and offered as a gift to God.
[106] 11:2 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.
[107] 11:3 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[108] 11:4 ropes The Hebrew says, “ropes of a man.”
[109] 11:4 set them free Literally, “lifted the yoke from their jaws.”
[110] 11:7 Or, “My people are hanging [on poles] around my dwelling place. They called up to him, but he didn’t lift them up.”
[111] 11:8 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[112] 11:8 Admah, Zeboiim Two cities that were destroyed when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. See Gen. 19; Deut. 29:23.
[113] 11:12 Ephraim … me Or, “Ephraim surrounded me with lies. The house of Israel surrounded me with deception.”
[114] 11:12 El This might be one of the names of God, or it might be El, the most important god of the Canaanites. It is not clear if this means Judah was being faithful to God or if Judah was worshiping the false gods.
[115] 11:12 holy ones These might be angels or Canaanite false gods.
[116] 12:1 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[117] 12:2 Israel Literally, “Judah.”
[118] 12:2 Jacob Another name for Israel (see Gen. 32:24-28), ancestor of the people of Israel (also called Israelites and, later, Jews). He was the father of twelve sons from whom the twelve tribes of Israel descended.
[119] 12:3 he … his brother Or, “he grabbed his brother’s heel.” This is a wordplay. The Hebrew word is like the name “Jacob.” Read Gen. 25:26.
[120] 12:4 Jacob wrestled … and won Read Gen. 32:22-28.
[121] 12:5 Yahweh is the God of the armies This is like one of the names for God. It is usually translated “Lord All-Powerful.”
[122] 12:7 merchant A person who earns a living by buying and selling things.
[123] 12:7 Jacob … merchant Literally, “Cannan.”
[124] 12:7 scales Or, “balances,” a tool for weighing things.
[125] 12:9 during … Tent of Meeting The special tent where the people worshiped God. This might also mean “like during the festival of Succoth.” The Jewish people live in tents or temporary buildings during this time.
[126] 12:10 vision Something like a dream used by God to speak to people.
[127] 12:11 Gilead The area east of the Jordan River where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh lived. See Num. 26:29.
[128] 12:11 Gilgal A city in Israel where people had worshiped God but later became known as a place where people worshiped false gods.
[129] 12:11 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also “golden altar.”
[130] 12:12 Israel Another name for Jacob. See Gen. 32:28.
[131] 13:1 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[132] 13:1 Baal A false god worshiped by the Canaanites. They believed he brought rain and storms and made the land produce good crops.
[133] 13:2 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.
[134] 13:3 chaff The seed coverings and stems separated from the seeds of plants like wheat or barley. Farmers saved the seeds but let the wind blow the useless chaff away.
[135] 13:3 threshing Putting newly harvested wheat or other grain on a hard floor and walking on it or beating it with special tools to separate the hulls from the grain.
[136] 13:10 You asked for … leaders See 1 Sam. 8:4-9.
[137] 13:12 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[138] 14:2 praise from our lips Literally, “the fruit of our lips.”
[139] 14:5 lily A kind of flower. In the Song of Solomon, it is probably a red flower.
[140] 14:8 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[141] 14:8 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.
[142] 14:8 and watches over you This is a wordplay. The Hebrew word is like the name “Assyria.” God is saying that he, not some foreign country, protects Israel.
[143] 14:9 Good people … die by them Literally, “Good people will walk on them. Sinners will stumble on them.”