Hosea 2:23
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וּזְרַעְתִּ֤יהָ
And I will sow
H2232
וּזְרַעְתִּ֤יהָ
And I will sow
Strong's:
H2232
Word #:
1 of 15
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
בָּאָ֔רֶץ
her unto me in the earth
H776
בָּאָ֔רֶץ
her unto me in the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
3 of 15
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
רֻחָ֑מָה
and I will have mercy
H7355
רֻחָ֑מָה
and I will have mercy
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
4 of 15
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
רֻחָ֑מָה
and I will have mercy
H7355
רֻחָ֑מָה
and I will have mercy
Strong's:
H7355
Word #:
7 of 15
to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
לְלֹֽא
H3808
לְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עַמִּי
Thou art my people
H5971
עַמִּי
Thou art my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עַמִּי
Thou art my people
H5971
עַמִּי
Thou art my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְה֖וּא
H1931
וְה֖וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
13 of 15
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
Cross References
Zechariah 13:9And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.Romans 3:29Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:Zechariah 2:11And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.Psalms 22:27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.Hosea 1:6And 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.Psalms 68:31Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.Jeremiah 31:27Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast.Jeremiah 32:38And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:Jeremiah 16:19O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
Historical Context
The reversal of the children's symbolic names would powerfully communicate hope to exilic Israel. The scattered people would be regathered and sown in the land as God's planting. Those who experienced divine judgment ('no mercy') would taste covenant love restored. The 'not my people' declaration revoked in Assyrian exile would be replaced with renewed covenant relationship. Peter applies this to the church (1 Peter 2:9-10), showing that Gentile believers experience identical transformation from spiritual outsiders to covenant insiders through Christ. This demonstrates gospel grace: those furthest from God brought near through Christ's blood (Ephesians 2:13).
Questions for Reflection
- How does your identity as one who 'had not obtained mercy' but now has received mercy through Christ affect your humility and gratitude?
- What does the mutual declaration ('my people'/'my God') teach about covenant relationship as reciprocal commitment rather than one-sided obligation?
Analysis & Commentary
The climactic reversal: 'And 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.' This verse completes the restoration promised in chapter 1. Each child's name reverses: Jezreel ('God scatters') becomes 'I will sow her unto me'—from judgment to planting for harvest. Lo-ruhamah ('no mercy') receives mercy (רָחַם, racham). Lo-ammi ('not my people') hear declared 'Thou art my people' (עַמִּי אַתָּה, ammi attah). The mutual confession—God saying 'my people,' they responding 'Thou art my God'—restores the covenant formula (Jeremiah 31:33). Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:25, applying it to Gentile inclusion, demonstrating that God's covenant purposes transcend ethnic boundaries, fulfilled in Christ who creates one new humanity (Ephesians 2:14-16).