King James Version
Hosea
Hosea in the King James Version (1769), public domain in the United States.
Background and History
The chapters above are the King James text. This essay is the setting of Hosea: who is said to have written it, when and where, what happens in it, and how the text has been copied.
At a Glance
| Author | Hosea son of Beeri, a prophet of the northern kingdom. Critical scholars accept him as the main source, with some Judean editing. |
|---|---|
| Date | About 750–715 BC in one survey, under the kings named in the opening verse. |
| Place written | The northern kingdom of Israel, modern northern Israel and the West Bank. |
| Genre | Prophecy in poetry, with a narrative of the prophet’s marriage. |
| Chapters | 14 |
| Verses | 197 in the King James Version |
| Key verse | Hosea 6:6Hosea 6:6 · King James VersionFor I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.Hosea 6:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
Who Wrote It
Hosea 1:1Hosea 1:1 · King James VersionThe word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Hosea 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) names Hosea son of Beeri and dates his ministry by kings of Judah and Jeroboam of Israel. The Talmud says the men of the Great Assembly wrote the Twelve, which is usually read as the collecting of the twelve prophets into one scroll. (2) Most scholars accept Hosea as the main source, with some later additions mentioning Judah.
Who It Is Not
Gomer, his wife, is a character, not the author.
When and Where
Bible Gateway gives 750–715 BC. (5)
Audience and Setting
The northern kingdom before its fall to Assyria. The purpose is to expose Israel’s unfaithfulness and to declare God’s persistent love.
Rulers at the Time
Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah and Jeroboam of Israel, per Hosea 1:1Hosea 1:1 · King James VersionThe word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Hosea 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Reign dates were not checked for this essay and are omitted.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Marriage and children | Hosea 1–3 |
| Oracles against Israel | Hosea 4–13 |
| Call to return | Hosea 14 |
| Composition | 750–715 BC in one survey. (5) |
Places in This Book
| Ancient name | Modern-day location | References |
|---|---|---|
| Samaria | Sebastia, West Bank. | Hosea 8:5Hosea 8:5 · King James VersionThy calf, O Samaria, hath cast thee off; mine anger is kindled against them: how long will it be ere they attain to innocency?Hosea 8:5 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
| Bethel | Near Beitin, West Bank. | Hosea 10:15Hosea 10:15 · King James VersionSo shall Bethel do unto you because of your great wickedness: in a morning shall the king of Israel utterly be cut off.Hosea 10:15 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
What Is Happening
Hosea 1–3 use the prophet’s marriage to an unfaithful wife as a picture of Israel. Hosea 4–13 indict Israel for idolatry and injustice. Hosea 14 calls Israel to return and promises healing.
Key Themes
God’s steadfast love in Hosea 11:8–9Hosea 11:8–9 · King James Version11:8 How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
11:9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.
Hosea 11:8–9 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Mercy over sacrifice in Hosea 6:6Hosea 6:6 · King James VersionFor I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Apologetics Questions
God’s command to marry a wife of whoredoms in Hosea 1:2Hosea 1:2 · King James VersionThe beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
Hosea 1:2 · King James VersionOpen the Source is debated: whether Gomer was unfaithful before or after marriage. Interpreters differ.
How the Book Points to Christ
Matthew applies out of Egypt have I called my son, Hosea 11:1Hosea 11:1 · King James VersionWhen Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Hosea 11:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source, to Jesus in Matthew 2:15Matthew 2:15 · King James VersionAnd was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Matthew 2:15 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6Hosea 6:6 · King James VersionFor I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6 · King James VersionOpen the Source in Matthew 9:13Matthew 9:13 · King James VersionBut go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew 9:13 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Jesus is God.
Text and Manuscripts
The Twelve are among the books found at Qumran. (6)
Canon Reception
The Twelve are counted as one book by Athanasius. (4) (3)
Further Reading
References
- Book of Hosea, 1:1Hosea 1:1 · King James Version
The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
Hosea 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source. King James Version - Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 15a, 15a (The William Davidson English on Sefaria is copyrighted. This page paraphrases it and does not reprint it. The page continues the list of writers and the debate about it.)
- Against Apion, 1.8Josephus, Against Apion 1.8 · William Whiston
For we have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, disagreeing from, and contradicting one another: [as the Greeks have:] but only twenty two books: which contain the records of all the past times: which are justly believed to be divine. And of them five belong to Moses: which contain his laws, and the traditions of the origin of mankind, till his death.
Josephus, Against Apion 1.8 · William WhistonOpen the Source (Flavius Josephus, Against Apion 1.8, translated by William Whiston. Josephus counts twenty-two books: five of Moses, thirteen of the prophets from Moses to Artaxerxes, and four of hymns and precepts.) - Festal Letter 39, 39.4–5 (Athanasius of Alexandria, AD 367, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 4, on New Advent. The letter lists twenty-two Old Testament books and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and places Esther among books to be read rather than in the canon.)
- When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?, Hosea (Jacob Edson, Bible Gateway, 16 September 2024. The survey gives Hosea as 750–715 BC. It is one editor’s approximation, not a manuscript date.)
- Dead Sea Scrolls, introduction, Biblical manuscriptsDead Sea Scrolls, biblical manuscripts · Israel Antiquities Authority
Among the Scrolls are partial or complete copies of every book in the Hebrew Bible (except the book of Esther).
Dead Sea Scrolls, biblical manuscripts · Israel Antiquities AuthorityOpen the Source (Israel Antiquities Authority. Biblical manuscripts from the Qumran caves date from the third century BC into the first century AD, and every book of the Hebrew Bible except Esther is represented.)
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.