Hosea 1:4

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
H559
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
יְהוָה֙
H3068
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֵלָ֔יו
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
קְרָ֥א
H7121
unto him Call
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#5
שְׁמ֖וֹ
H8034
his name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#6
יִזְרְעֶאל֙
H3157
Jezreel
jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites
#7
כִּי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#8
ע֣וֹד
H5750
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
#9
מְעַ֗ט
H4592
for yet a little
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
#10
וּפָ֨קַדְתִּ֜י
H6485
while and I will avenge
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#11
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#12
דְּמֵ֤י
H1818
the blood
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
#13
יִזְרְעֶאל֙
H3157
Jezreel
jizreel, the name of two places in palestine and of two israelites
#14
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#15
בֵּ֥ית
H1004
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#16
יֵה֔וּא
H3058
of Jehu
jehu, the name of five israelites
#17
וְהִ֨שְׁבַּתִּ֔י
H7673
and will cause to cease
to repose, i.e., desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative, figurative or specific)
#18
מַמְלְכ֖וּת
H4468
the kingdom
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#19
בֵּ֥ית
H1004
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#20
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood kingdom. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection