Hosea 1:2

Authorized King James Version

The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
תְּחִלַּ֥ת
H8462
The beginning
a commencement; relatively original (adverb, -ly)
#2
דִּבֶּר
H1696
of the word
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#3
יְהוָֽה׃
H3068
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#4
הוֹשֵׁ֗עַ
H1954
by Hosea
hoshea, the name of five israelites
#5
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר
H559
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#6
יְהוָֽה׃
H3068
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#8
הוֹשֵׁ֗עַ
H1954
by Hosea
hoshea, the name of five israelites
#9
לֵ֣ךְ
H1980
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#10
קַח
H3947
take
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#11
לְךָ֞
H0
#12
אֵ֤שֶׁת
H802
unto thee a wife
a woman
#13
זְנוּנִ֔ים
H2183
of whoredoms
adultery; figuratively, idolatry
#14
וְיַלְדֵ֣י
H3206
and children
something born, i.e., a lad or offspring
#15
זְנוּנִ֔ים
H2183
of whoredoms
adultery; figuratively, idolatry
#16
כִּֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#17
תִזְנֶה֙
H2181
hath committed great
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
#18
תִזְנֶה֙
H2181
hath committed great
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
#19
הָאָ֔רֶץ
H776
for the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#20
מֵֽאַחֲרֵ֖י
H310
departing from
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
#21
יְהוָֽה׃
H3068
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection