Hosea 1:6
And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.
Original Language Analysis
וַתַּ֤הַר
And she conceived again
H2029
וַתַּ֤הַר
And she conceived again
Strong's:
H2029
Word #:
1 of 22
to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively)
עוֹד֙
H5750
עוֹד֙
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
וַתֵּ֣לֶד
and bare
H3205
וַתֵּ֣לֶד
and bare
Strong's:
H3205
Word #:
3 of 22
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
בַּ֔ת
a daughter
H1323
בַּ֔ת
a daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
4 of 22
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
קְרָ֥א
unto him Call
H7121
קְרָ֥א
unto him Call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
7 of 22
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שְׁמָ֖הּ
her name
H8034
שְׁמָ֖הּ
her name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 22
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֨א
H3808
לֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אוֹסִ֜יף
for I will no more
H3254
אוֹסִ֜יף
for I will no more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
13 of 22
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
ע֗וֹד
H5750
ע֗וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
14 of 22
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
אֲרַחֵם֙
have mercy
H7355
אֲרַחֵם֙
have mercy
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
15 of 22
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית
upon the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
upon the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
17 of 22
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
18 of 22
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶשָּׂ֖א
but I will utterly
H5375
אֶשָּׂ֖א
but I will utterly
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
20 of 22
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Cross References
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.Hosea 2:4And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.2 Kings 17:6In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.1 Peter 2:10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Historical Context
The name prophesied Assyria's merciless treatment of Israel: mass deportation, cultural assimilation, and kingdom's end (722 BC). Ancient Near Eastern warfare was brutal; Assyrian annals boast of atrocities. That God would 'no more have mercy' meant He would not intervene to prevent these historical consequences of covenant rebellion. Yet mercy's withdrawal wasn't absolute or permanent: a remnant survived, and Hosea's larger message promises restoration. The phrase 'but I will utterly take them away' literally reads 'I will surely remove them' (ki naso essa lahem), fulfilled in exile. This demonstrates that divine warnings are not idle threats but certain outcomes if repentance doesn't occur.
Questions for Reflection
- How should I respond when God's mercy seems withdrawn and I experience consequences of sin rather than immediate deliverance?
- What does God's promise to show mercy to 'her who had not obtained mercy' teach about the gospel's offer to those who deserve judgment?
Analysis & Commentary
The second symbolic name: 'And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.' Lo-ruhamah means 'not pitied' or 'no mercy' (לֹא רֻחָמָה, lo-ruhamah). The Hebrew ruhamah comes from racham (compassion, womb-love), God's tender maternal compassion. Its negation signals withdrawn mercy—devastating for a covenant people dependent on God's hesed (steadfast love). Yet this isn't final: Hosea 2:23 promises 'I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy,' applied by Paul to Gentile inclusion (Romans 9:25, 1 Peter 2:10). God's mercy withdrawn temporarily for judgment precedes mercy extended eternally through Christ. The cross reveals both: God's wrath satisfied and mercy poured out infinitely.