Names of the Book
| English: | Hosea |
| Hebrew: | הוֹשׁע |
| Transliterated: | Hoshea |
| Other names: |
Who
| Wrote the book: | Hosea |
| Are the key people: | Hosea, Gomer, their children |
| Is it written to: | The people of Israel |
What
| Hosea's wife of harlotry and her redemption by Hosea (Hosea 1:1-3:5) |
| G-d's nation of harlotry and he redemption by G-d (Hosea 4:1-14:9) |
When
| Was it written: | c 759 BCE |
| Did the events occur: | c 771-759 BCE |
| Was it canonized: | c 499-100 BCE |
| (see the Timeline of the Tanakh) | |
Where
| Was it written: | Israel |
| Did the events occur: | Samaria and Ephraim within Israel |
Why
| Hosea was written to inform us that: |
| Israel was like Hosea's harlot wife. |
| G-d judged Israel's sin. |
| G-d loves Israel. |
| G-d will restore Israel as His bride. |
Introduction
The book of Hosea is historical narrative delivered as a metaphor for the relationship between G-d and His people. Hosea prophesies in a period of steep moral and spiritual decline for the northern kingdom of Israel. Although the nation was financially wealthy, their prosperity led them into a period of unparalleled idolatry and moral decay. G-d instructs Hosea to take a "wife of harlotry" (a prostitute) whose unfaithfulness to Hosea would serve as a striking illustration of Israel's unfaithfulness to G-d. Hosea warned the nation of the judgment that would come unless they repented and returned to G-d. The book reveals the depth of G-d's love for His people... a love that does not allow any rivals.
Scripture- Book Selection