Hosea 2:7

Authorized King James Version

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And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.

Original Language Analysis

וְרִדְּפָ֤ה And she shall follow H7291
וְרִדְּפָ֤ה And she shall follow
Strong's: H7291
Word #: 1 of 20
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מְאַהֲבֶ֙יהָ֙ after her lovers H157
מְאַהֲבֶ֙יהָ֙ after her lovers
Strong's: H157
Word #: 3 of 20
to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַשִּׂ֣יג but she shall not overtake H5381
תַשִּׂ֣יג but she shall not overtake
Strong's: H5381
Word #: 5 of 20
to reach (literally or figuratively)
אֹתָ֔ם H853
אֹתָ֔ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 6 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבִקְשָׁ֖תַם them and she shall seek H1245
וּבִקְשָׁ֖תַם them and she shall seek
Strong's: H1245
Word #: 7 of 20
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 8 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִמְצָ֑א them but shall not find H4672
תִמְצָ֑א them but shall not find
Strong's: H4672
Word #: 9 of 20
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
וְאָמְרָ֗ה them then shall she say H559
וְאָמְרָ֗ה them then shall she say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 10 of 20
to say (used with great latitude)
אֵלְכָ֤ה H1980
אֵלְכָ֤ה
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 11 of 20
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְאָשׁ֙וּבָה֙ and return H7725
וְאָשׁ֙וּבָה֙ and return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 12 of 20
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 13 of 20
near, with or among; often in general, to
אִישִׁ֣י husband H376
אִישִׁ֣י husband
Strong's: H376
Word #: 14 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן to my first H7223
הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן to my first
Strong's: H7223
Word #: 15 of 20
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 16 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ט֥וֹב for then was it better H2896
ט֥וֹב for then was it better
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 17 of 20
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
לִ֛י H0
לִ֛י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 18 of 20
אָ֖ז H227
אָ֖ז
Strong's: H227
Word #: 19 of 20
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
מֵעָֽתָּה׃ with me than now H6258
מֵעָֽתָּה׃ with me than now
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 20 of 20
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

Analysis & Commentary

Desired repentance: 'And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.' God's obstacles (v. 6) produce futility: pursuing lovers without success. This is covenant curse (Deuteronomy 28:29, 'you shall grope at noonday as the blind gropes in darkness'). Frustration should prompt reflection: 'then was it better with me than now.' Comparison between relationship with YHWH and pursuit of idols reveals emptiness of false worship. 'Return to my first husband' shows repentance as homecoming—recognizing the covenant relationship forsaken. Yet context questions sincerity: is this pragmatic (seeking benefits) or genuine (grieving sin)? Verses 8-13 suggest shallow repentance motivated by desire to escape consequences rather than sorrow over offense. True repentance grieves sin itself, not merely consequences. Only Spirit-wrought regeneration produces such repentance.

Historical Context

Historically, Israel's 'returns' to YHWH were often superficial and temporary. Kings like Jehu destroyed Baal worship yet maintained Jeroboam's golden calves (2 Kings 10:29-31). Reforms under various kings didn't produce lasting change. Hosea 6:1-4 presents Israel's shallow repentance: quick 'let us return to the LORD' followed by God's complaint 'your goodness is as a morning cloud.' External religious activity doesn't equal heart transformation. Josiah's later reforms (640-609 BC in Judah) came too late and too shallow to prevent exile (2 Kings 23:25-27). This demonstrates that religious activity divorced from genuine heart change doesn't satisfy God. Jesus condemned such religion in Matthew 15:8: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.'

Questions for Reflection