King James Version
Hosea 3
In a quiet and deeply moving scene, Hosea receives orders to buy back his wife, demonstrating persistent devotion despite her past unfaithfulness. Serving as the brief culmination of the prophet's personal narrative, this passage uses marriage as a powerful message of redemption. Just as Gomer is brought home to live quietly, Israel will spend time without king or sacrifice before returning to seek God. The narrative highlights enduring mercy at the end, promising, "Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD."
1 Then 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.
2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:
3 And 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.
4 For 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:
5 Afterward 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.
GO DEEPER
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