Old Testament · Divided Kingdom
Hosea
Who was Hosea?
Hosea was a prophet whose painful marriage became a living picture of God’s faithful love for an unfaithful people.
RoleProphet whose marriage pictured God’s love
EraDivided Kingdom
WifeGomer
MessageGod’s love for an unfaithful people
EraNorthern kingdom
God told Hosea to marry Gomer, who would prove unfaithful, so that his marriage might dramatize Israel’s spiritual adultery in chasing other gods.
Again and again Hosea sought out and redeemed his wandering wife — a startling enactment of God’s persistent, costly love.
Through it all, Hosea proclaimed both judgment for sin and a tender invitation: “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely.”
Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)
Hosea 3:1 “Then the LORD said to me, “Go show love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and offer raisin cakes to idols.”” Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.”
Related people
Original BibleDawn profile. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Scripture quoted from the public-domain Berean Standard Bible.