Updated on

HOS

Hosea 3

OriginalSimple EnglishSimpleNew Summary

Read Hosea Chapter 3

Up and down arrows move from one verse to the next.

1Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

2So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

3And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.

4For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:

5Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

You are readingKing James Version

Explanation

Hosea 3

In short

God tells the prophet Hosea to buy back and love a woman who has been unfaithful, using this real action as a picture of how God still loves Israel even though Israel has turned to other gods. The woman must stay faithful and alone for a time, just as Israel will go through a period without its normal religious life before God restores it.

What the text says

In verse 1, the Lord commands Hosea to love a woman described as beloved of another man and unfaithful, in a way that matches the Lord's love for Israel, who turn away to other gods. In verse 2, Hosea buys this woman for fifteen pieces of silver and barley, making the commitment concrete. In verse 3, he tells her to remain faithful to him alone for many days, and says he will do the same for her. In verses 4 and 5, the text explains what this action means: Israel will live through a long period without king, prince, sacrifice, or religious objects, but afterward the people will return, seek the Lord their God, and seek David their king, fearing the Lord and his goodness in later times.

Takeaways

  • God's love for unfaithful people remains active and costly, shown through Hosea's actual purchase and commitment.
  • A time of loss and waiting comes before restoration and return.
  • The promise points forward to a future turning back to God.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.

Need words for what you are living?

Describe it and receive a prayer written for you, with verses to hold on to.

Write a prayer