I. Name

Hosea, "Salvation." The name is conspicuous in Jewish history, having been the original name of Joshua, the successor of Moses, Num. 13:8, and of the last king of Israel, 2 Kings 17:1. He lived in the kingdom of Israel, and his prophecies relate almost wholly to that kingdom. His father's name was Beeri, 1:1, and his wife's name Gomer, 1:3. He had three children, whose names had a symbolic meaning. From the constant introduction of figures drawn from agriculture, it has been inferred that he belonged to that class. Others, for a similar reason, have thought he was a priest. From 9:7, 8 it would seem that he suffered reproach on account of his message.

II. The Political Conditions

According to the inscription, whose genuineness has been doubted (Driver, Int. to the O. T., p. 302), Hosea began to prophesy toward the end of the reign of Jeroboam II., about 750 B. C. Driver fixes his date 746-734 B. C. Jeroboam II. had a long and illustrious career, greatly strengthening his kingdom and gaining many victories abroad; but morally there was a great decline. Selfishness, oppression of the poor, luxury, and lust sapped the moral energies of the nation, Chs. 3, 4, and the priesthood shared in the degradation, Ch. 5.

After the death of Jeroboam came a period of fearful political corruption and disorder. Scarcely would a king be seated on the throne before he was murdered by a rival who succeeded him. Lust and greed increased until the confusion foretold disaster and ruin, Ch. 6. Ominous movements toward Egypt and Assyria, 7:11, reveal the uneasiness and insecurity and prepare the way for the fall of the nation, to which it is so rapidly hastening.

III. The Text

The Hebrew text of Hosea has not been preserved as accurately as most other books of the Old Testament. But we may doubtless explain many of the grammatical peculiarities by the fact that the language was less accurately used in the north than in the south.

The style is very characteristic. It is epigrammatic and abrupt, and the different members of the sentence are frequently without connective particles. Added to these difficulties there is frequent use of archaic words, symbols, and other figurative forms of expression which in places make it almost unintelligible. But, allowing all this, there is a force and a musical cadence which make it exceedingly attractive. The rapid transitions, the pathetic tenderness, the fearless invective carry us along with rapt attention.

IV. Contents

The book presents a summary of Hosea's teachings rather than complete addresses, and is naturally divided into two sections, one relating to the reign of Jeroboam II., the other to the troublous times which followed.

1. First section. Chs. 1-3. After a brief introduction, 1:1; the prophet tells the pathetic story of his marriage to Gomer, "a wife of whoredom," 1:2; and of the birth of his three children, 1:2-9. This marriage was by divine command, 1:2; as was also the naming of his children, 1:6-9. Ch. 3 tells how he afterward took the unfaithful wife back to his home, while the second chapter tells how all this action was designed as an object lesson to Israel whom Jehovah had put away because of her idolatrous fornications, but would finally allure her back to Himself, 2:14; and on her repentance give her the choicest blessings, 2:21-23.

2. Second section. Chs,4-14. These chapters contain a summary of the prophet's work after the death of Jeroboam II., made by himself at the close of his ministry. Although there are no very positive marks of transition, most critics find three topics treated in the section, Israel's sin, punishment, and the final outlook.

(a) Israel's sin. Chs. 4-8. There is great moral pollution, Ch. 4; for which the conduct of the priests is largely responsible, Ch. 5, as well as that of the rulers. Against this terrible indictment the prophet sets the picture of the divine yearning for Israel, Ch. 6, but all in vain, for the riot of sin increases, Ch. 7; until Israel is swallowed up, 8:8; and Jehovah will no longer accept her, 8:13.

(b) Israel's punishment. Chs. 9 to 11:11. Forsaken of God, 9:1; abandoned to vilest idolatry, 9:3; the sentence of banishment is pronounced, 9:3. The misery of such a position is graphically pictured, 9:4ff. No help will be found in the idols to which they have gone, Ch. 10. But even when the blow falls God will show mercy, and His love will prevent their utter destruction, 11:1-11.

(c) Israel's future. Chs. 11:12 to 14:9. The shameful conduct of Israel in forsaking God is set forth, 11:12 to 13:3, and in beautiful contrast the changeless love of Jehovah, 13:4-16; and the book closes with a charming picture of what will be when Israel again becomes faithful to God and He restores to her the fullness of His love, Ch. 14.

V. Characteristics

1. The question whether Chs. 1-3 refer to a real marriage, or are a symbol, has been much debated. The most satisfactory explanation is perhaps that of Robertson Smith, who suggests that Hosea married a woman who afterward became unfaithful. When he bewails his wretchedness, God reveals to him the fact that his whole married life is a symbol of Jehovah's marriage to Israel, the pure virgin, who had gone astray after idols until He was compelled to cast her off. On her repentance He would restore her to the full exercise of His love.

2. Hosea deals very plainly with moral questions. The great trouble with Israel is that they have forsaken God, 8:14; and His law, 4:6. They feed on sin, 4:8; and therefore the whole land is defiled. When the people think to appease God by making offerings of flesh, he tells them Jehovah desires goodness and the knowledge of God, 6:6. Israel's iniquity has been its ruin, and only when that iniquity is pardoned in response to their penitent prayer will they find relief, 14:1.

3. Most conspicuous of all his teachings are those which set forth the inalienable love of God for His people. When Israel was a child God loved him, 11:1. He taught Israel how to walk, holding him in His arms, 11:3. When Israel, like an adulterous wife, abandoned God He allured her unto Himself, 2:14; grieving over her fall, 11:8. The restoration of Israel furnishes opportunity for the fullest and most fruitful manifestations of God's love for His people, Ch. 14. This thought of God's love for His people, even in their sinful wanderings, illuminates the entire book and shows that in those early ages the true character of Jehovah was understood by the people.

4. The influence of Hosea on later writers is very manifest. See Jer. Chs. 2, 3, 31; Ezek. Chs. 16, 23. In the New Testament compare Hos. 6:6 with Matt. 9:13, 12:7; Hos. 11:1 with Matt. 2:15; Hos. 2:23 with Rom. 9:25, 26.

LITERATURE

Commentaries: Orelli; G. A. Smith, The Book of the Twelve Prophets; Keil and Delitzsch; Pusey. Hengstenberg's Christology; Robertson Smith, The Prophets of Israel; Farrar, The Minor Prophets; article "Hosea" in Bible Dictionaries of Smith and Hastings; Introductions of Driver, Keil, Bleek; Stanley, History of the Jewish Church.