Hosea 2:21

Authorized King James Version

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And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֣ה׀ H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בַּיּ֣וֹם And it shall come to pass in that day H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם And it shall come to pass in that day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַה֗וּא H1931
הַה֗וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 3 of 13
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יַעֲנ֥וּ I will hear H6030
יַעֲנ֥וּ I will hear
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 4 of 13
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
נְאֻם saith H5002
נְאֻם saith
Strong's: H5002
Word #: 5 of 13
an oracle
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 6 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יַעֲנ֥וּ I will hear H6030
יַעֲנ֥וּ I will hear
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 7 of 13
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם the heavens H8064
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם the heavens
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 9 of 13
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְהֵ֖ם H1992
וְהֵ֖ם
Strong's: H1992
Word #: 10 of 13
they (only used when emphatic)
יַעֲנ֥וּ I will hear H6030
יַעֲנ֥וּ I will hear
Strong's: H6030
Word #: 11 of 13
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ the earth H776
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 13 of 13
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis & Commentary

The cosmic restoration: 'And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth.' This verse describes a chain of divine response reversing the covenant curses. The phrase 'in that day' (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, bayyom hahu) points to eschatological restoration. God 'hearing' (אֶעֱנֶה, e'eneh—literally 'answer') the heavens initiates a cascade: heavens answer earth, earth answers grain/wine/oil (v.22), which answer Jezreel (v.23). This reverses the broken relationship where creation itself rebelled against Israel due to sin (cf. Romans 8:20-22). The repetition 'I will hear...I will hear' emphasizes divine initiative—God begins the restoration process. Only through Christ does creation find redemption from bondage to decay (Romans 8:21). The cosmic reconciliation anticipated here finds ultimate fulfillment when Christ makes all things new (Revelation 21:5).

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern covenant blessings promised agricultural prosperity; curses brought drought and famine (Deuteronomy 28). Israel's sin had broken the covenant, causing creation itself to groan. The imagery of heavens and earth in relationship reflects Hebrew cosmology where the created order operates in harmony under God's sovereignty. For exilic Israel, this promise of cosmic restoration offered hope beyond political restoration—God would restore not only covenant relationship but the very fruitfulness of creation. This anticipates the New Covenant where the Spirit poured out brings life to all things (Ezekiel 36:25-27, 37:1-14).

Questions for Reflection