Hosea 2:7

Translations

Modern

She will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’

Traditional

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.

Literal

And she will pursue her lovers, and she will not overtake them; she will seek them, and she will not find them. She will say, ‘I will go and return to my first husband, for it was better for me then than now!’

Latin

Et sequetur amatores suos, et non apprehendet eos; et quæret eos, et non inveniet: et dicet: Vadam, et revertar ad virum meum priorem, quia bene mihi erat tunc magis quam nunc.

Original

Hebrew

English

She will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’

Notes

Hosea 2:6–7

Therefore: The initial Hebrew word of Hosea 2:6 (also of 2:9 and 2:14) introduces God’s judgment on Israel. Because of her idolatry, the Lord would limit Israel’s access to the Canaanite fertility gods. Like an aggressive prostitute, she will chase her lovers, but she will not find them. In the end, Israel will realize it is better to return to her rightful husband.

Hosea 2:2–23

Rebuke your mother, rebuke her: At first glance, the Lord, like an upset husband, seems to be giving a divorce to his unfaithful wife, Israel (see Deuteronomy 24:1). However, as the passage continues, it becomes clear that God’s goal in this lawsuit is not divorce, but reconciliation (Hosea 2:14–23).

God’s case against Israel aims to make Israel aware of her sin and offer her a chance to return to her true husband. The Lord’s desire for reconciliation with Israel is surprising because the law required the death penalty for an unfaithful spouse (Deuteronomy 22:22; see also Genesis 38:24; Leviticus 21:9).

Hosea 1:2–3:5

This section describes a small part of the prophet's life, focusing on his troubled marriage. It highlights God's difficult relationship with Israel, his chosen people.

Theme notes and profiles

God’s Faithfulness to His People Retribution The Broken Covenant

Events

Prophecies of Hoseac. 785 BC

Related verses

Jeremiah 2:2
“Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.
Luke 15:17–20
Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death!
Hosea 5:13
When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.
Jeremiah 14:22
Can the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies alone send showers? Is this not by You, O LORD our God? So we put our hope in You, for You have done all these things.
Ezekiel 23:22
Therefore, Oholibah, this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will incite your lovers against you, those from whom you turned away in disgust. And I will bring them against you from every side—
Hosea 13:6
When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me.
Deuteronomy 8:17–18
You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.”
Ezekiel 23:4
The older was named Oholah, and her sister was named Oholibah. They became Mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. As for their identities, Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.
Isaiah 31:1–3
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.
Lamentations 3:40–42
Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.
Jeremiah 31:32
It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.
Ezekiel 16:18
You took your embroidered garments to cover them, and you set My oil and incense before them.

Glossary

Covenant Gomer Hosea, Book of Mercy People of God Ruhamah Wool

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Benefits of Afflictions Made Beneficial in Turning Us to God Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of Captivity, Famine, and Judgments Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Hosea 2:7

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?