Hosea 1:10
Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.
Original Language Analysis
וְֽ֠הָיָה
H1961
וְֽ֠הָיָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִסְפַּ֤ר
Yet the number
H4557
מִסְפַּ֤ר
Yet the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
2 of 24
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
בְּנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 24
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הַיָּ֔ם
of the sea
H3220
הַיָּ֔ם
of the sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
6 of 24
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִמַּ֖ד
which cannot be measured
H4058
יִמַּ֖ד
which cannot be measured
Strong's:
H4058
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, to stretch; by implication, to measure (as if by stretching a line); figuratively, to be extended
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִסָּפֵ֑ר
nor numbered
H5608
יִסָּפֵ֑ר
nor numbered
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
וְֽ֠הָיָה
H1961
וְֽ֠הָיָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
12 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בִּמְק֞וֹם
and it shall come to pass that in the place
H4725
בִּמְק֞וֹם
and it shall come to pass that in the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
13 of 24
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עַמִּ֣י
unto them Ye are not my people
H5971
עַמִּ֣י
unto them Ye are not my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
18 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְּנֵ֥י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
22 of 24
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
2 Corinthians 6:18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:Isaiah 43:6I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;Isaiah 66:20And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.Hosea 2:23And 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.Genesis 13:16And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.Hosea 1:9Then said God, Call his name Lo-ammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.Genesis 22:17That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;Hebrews 11:12Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.Genesis 32:12And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
Historical Context
Hosea prophesied to northern Israel (Ephraim) during the 8th century BC, decades before Assyrian conquest scattered the ten tribes. Despite their spiritual adultery and coming judgment, God promised future restoration. Historically, the northern kingdom never recovered as a political entity after 722 BC—the 'ten lost tribes' were assimilated into surrounding nations. Yet God's promise stood. Paul's application to Gentiles shows how divine promises often find unexpected fulfillment. The 'not my people' becoming 'my people' describes the gospel breaking ethnic boundaries, bringing outsiders into covenant relationship through Christ. This demonstrates that God's covenant purposes transcend ethnic Israel, ultimately creating one new humanity in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16) where natural and spiritual descendants of Abraham together inherit promises.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness to promises despite human unfaithfulness encourage your confidence in His covenant love?
- What does it mean to be adopted as 'sons of the living God' rather than merely servants or subjects?
- How should Gentile inclusion in God's promises through Christ shape your understanding of the church's identity?
Analysis & Commentary
This prophecy promises dramatic reversal: 'Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.' Despite coming judgment (northern kingdom's destruction by Assyria, 722 BC), God promises ultimate restoration. The promise 'as the sand of the sea' echoes God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 22:17), emphasizing covenant faithfulness despite Israel's unfaithfulness. The transformation from 'not my people' (Lo-ammi, Hosea 1:9) to 'sons of the living God' (בְּנֵי אֵל־חָי, benei el-chai) represents complete restoration of covenant relationship. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:25-26, applying it to Gentile inclusion in God's people through Christ. What began as promise to Israel finds expanded fulfillment in the church, where both Jews and Gentiles become God's children through faith (Galatians 3:26-29). The phrase 'sons of the living God' emphasizes intimate relationship—not merely servants but family, adopted as children through Christ (Romans 8:14-17, Ephesians 1:5).