Hosea experienced betrayal and anguish because of his wife’s adultery. Hosea’s experiences reflect God’s agony over his people’s sins. God’s justice requires judgment, but in his love, God promises to redeem his chosen people. Hosea opens a window for us into the very heart of God. Setting Few eras in ancient Israel were more turbulent than the mid-700s BC. Hosea began his ministry in the north…
1Decid a vuestros hermanos: Ammi; y a vuestras hermanas: Ruhama.
2Contended con vuestra madre, contended; porque ella no es mi mujer, ni yo su marido; aparte, pues, sus fornicaciones de su rostro, y sus adulterios de entre sus pechos;
3no sea que yo la despoje y desnude, la ponga como el día en que nació, la haga como un desierto, la deje como tierra seca, y la mate de sed.
4Ni tendré misericordia de sus hijos, porque son hijos de prostitución.
5Porque su madre se prostituyó; la que los dio a luz se deshonró, porque dijo: Iré tras mis amantes, que me dan mi pan y mi agua, mi lana y mi lino, mi aceite y mi bebida.
6Por tanto, he aquí yo rodearé de espinos su camino, y la cercaré con seto, y no hallará sus caminos.
7Seguirá a sus amantes, y no los alcanzará; los buscará, y no los hallará. Entonces dirá: Iré y me volveré a mi primer marido; porque mejor me iba entonces que ahora.
8Y ella no reconoció que yo le daba el trigo, el vino y el aceite, y que le multipliqué la plata y el oro que ofrecían a Baal.
9Por tanto, yo volveré y tomaré mi trigo a su tiempo, y mi vino a su sazón, y quitaré mi lana y mi lino que había dado para cubrir su desnudez.
10Y ahora descubriré yo su locura delante de los ojos de sus amantes, y nadie la librará de mi mano.
11Haré cesar todo su gozo, sus fiestas, sus nuevas lunas y sus días de reposo, y todas sus festividades.
12Y haré talar sus vides y sus higueras, de las cuales dijo: Mi salario son, salario que me han dado mis amantes. Y las reduciré a un matorral, y las comerán las bestias del campo.
13Y la castigaré por los días en que incensaba a los baales, y se adornaba de sus zarcillos y de sus joyeles, y se iba tras sus amantes y se olvidaba de mí, dice Jehová.
14Pero he aquí que yo la atraeré y la llevaré al desierto, y hablaré a su corazón.
15Y le daré sus viñas desde allí, y el valle de Acor por puerta de esperanza; y allí cantará como en los tiempos de su juventud, y como en el día de su subida de la tierra de Egipto.
16En aquel tiempo, dice Jehová, me llamarás Ishi, y nunca más me llamarás Baali.
17Porque quitaré de su boca los nombres de los baales, y nunca más se mencionarán sus nombres.
18En aquel tiempo haré para ti pacto con las bestias del campo, con las aves del cielo y con las serpientes de la tierra; y quitaré de la tierra arco y espada y guerra, y te haré dormir segura.
19Y te desposaré conmigo para siempre; te desposaré conmigo en justicia, juicio, benignidad y misericordia.
20Y te desposaré conmigo en fidelidad, y conocerás a Jehová.
21En aquel tiempo responderé, dice Jehová, yo responderé a los cielos, y ellos responderán a la tierra.
22Y la tierra responderá al trigo, al vino y al aceite, y ellos responderán a Jezreel.
23Y la sembraré para mí en la tierra, y tendré misericordia de Lo-ruhama; y diré a Lo-ammi: Tú eres pueblo mío, y él dirá: Dios mío.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
I
Versículo 1
I. 2:1 Ammi—‘My people’: God will also restore the name of the third child to its covenantal meaning…
2:1 Ammi—‘My people’: God will also restore the name of the third child to its covenantal meaning. • Ruhamah—‘The ones I love’: Israel will once again be the object of God’s love and compassion.
II
Versículo 2
II. 2:2-23 bring charges against Israel: At first glance, the Lord, as the aggrieved husband, appears…
2:2-23 bring charges against Israel: At first glance, the Lord, as the aggrieved husband, appears to be issuing a bill of divorce against his unfaithful spouse, Israel (see Deut 24:1). As the passage continues, however, it becomes clear that God’s purpose in this lawsuit is not divorce, but reconciliation (Hos 2:14-23). God’s case against Israel is intended to awaken Israel to her sin and offer her a chance to return to her true husband. The Lord’s desire for reconciliation with Israel is all the more surprising inasmuch as the law stipulated the death penalty for an adulterous spouse (Deut 22:22; see also Gen 38:24; Lev 21:9).
III
Versículo 3
III. 2:3 The Lord warns unfaithful Israel that unless she repents and returns to her covenant partner,…
2:3 The Lord warns unfaithful Israel that unless she repents and returns to her covenant partner, he will strip her . . . naked (see also 2:10). Ezekiel also employs this image of judgment and shame (Ezek 16:36-37).
IV
Versículo 5
IV. 2:5 The only evidence needed to prove Israel’s unfaithfulness comes from her own words: I’ll run …
2:5 The only evidence needed to prove Israel’s unfaithfulness comes from her own words: I’ll run after other lovers. Israel’s lovers were the Canaanite fertility deities, especially the baals (local representations of Baal). The Israelites worshiped them because they believed that these gods controlled the reproductive forces in nature. The Israelites attributed to them the basic necessities of life, food and water, their clothing of wool and linen, and oil, used for both sacred and secular purposes.
V
Versículo 6
V. 2:6-7 For this reason (literally Therefore): The initial Hebrew word of 2:6 (also of 2:9 and 2:14…
2:6-7 For this reason (literally Therefore): The initial Hebrew word of 2:6 (also of 2:9 and 2:14) introduces God’s judgment on Israel. Because of her idolatry, the Lord would restrict Israel’s access to the Canaanite fertility gods. Like an aggressive prostitute, she will pursue her lovers; but she will not find them. In the end, Israel will conclude that it is better to return to her rightful husband.
VI
Versículo 8
VI. 2:8 She doesn’t realize (literally she doesn’t know): Israel needs to know God personally and exp…
2:8 She doesn’t realize (literally she doesn’t know): Israel needs to know God personally and experientially. Had the Israelites known the Lord in this way, they would have realized that every good thing in their lives came from him, not from the baals.
VII
Versículo 9
VII. 2:9-13 God’s first judgment (2:6-7) was to restrict the Israelites; this second judgment would be…
2:9-13 God’s first judgment (2:6-7) was to restrict the Israelites; this second judgment would be to remove and destroy what he alone had given them.
VIII
Versículo 11
VIII. 2:11 From the context (2:13, 16-17), as well as from similar passages in Isa 1:12-17 and Amos 5:2…
2:11 From the context (2:13, 16-17), as well as from similar passages in Isa 1:12-17 and Amos 5:21-24, it seems clear that the Israelites had defiled the legitimate festivals, new moon celebrations, and Sabbath days by combining worship of the Lord with worship of the Canaanite fertility god, Baal. God rejects such syncretism (mixing of different faiths) and declared that he would remove these unholy days from Israel’s calendar.
IX
Versículo 13
IX. 2:13 While the Israelites were worshiping Canaanite gods, they forgot the Lord. For Hosea, to for…
2:13 While the Israelites were worshiping Canaanite gods, they forgot the Lord. For Hosea, to forget is not a lapse of memory, but the opposite of knowing the Lord (see 8:14; 13:6; Job 8:12-13). Had Israel truly known the Lord, they would never have indulged in Baal worship.
X
Versículo 14
X. 2:14-15 The third judgment (see note on 2:6-7) is completely unexpected. The Lord, who had innoce…
2:14-15 The third judgment (see note on 2:6-7) is completely unexpected. The Lord, who had innocently suffered Israel’s repeated unfaithfulness, announces that he will take the initiative in wooing Israel in order to win her back once again. He will lead her into the desert where he first entered into covenant with her, away from the seductive influences of Canaanite religion. • The Valley of Trouble was the scene of Israel’s first act of disobedience after they entered the Promised Land (Josh 7:24-26). The Lord had both the will and the power to grant Israel a new beginning after their sin and trouble (Josh 8:1-22), so Israel would again be offered a gateway of hope.
XI
Versículo 16
XI. 2:16 that day: This seemingly unremarkable phrase is actually quite important in the prophets. It…
2:16 that day: This seemingly unremarkable phrase is actually quite important in the prophets. It refers to the coming day of the Lord (see Joel 1:15; 2:1; Amos 5:18), when the Lord will act decisively in human history on behalf of his people. • ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master’: In this coming day, Israel will enter into a new relationship with her God. No longer will Israel call God “master” (Hebrew ba‘al), which connotes subservience and was also the name of the chief Canaanite fertility god. Instead, she will address the Lord as “husband,” implying partnership and companionship (Gen 2:23-24).
XII
Versículo 17
XII. 2:17 To avoid any possible syncretism between the Lord and Baal, God would wipe the many names of…
2:17 To avoid any possible syncretism between the Lord and Baal, God would wipe the many names of Baal from Israel’s lips.
XIII
Versículo 18
XIII. 2:18 On that day the Lord would make a covenant with his creation and his people, a covenant of p…
2:18 On that day the Lord would make a covenant with his creation and his people, a covenant of peace and safety.
XIV
Versículo 19
XIV. 2:19-20 I will make you my wife: This Hebrew verb, used three times in these verses, can be trans…
2:19-20 I will make you my wife: This Hebrew verb, used three times in these verses, can be translated with our seldom-used word betroth. In the ancient world, betrothal entailed all the legal steps of a marriage, including the payment of a bride price by the groom. The only thing missing was the marriage ceremony and sexual consummation. The Lord vowed to betroth Israel to himself forever. To ensure the eternal nature of this new marriage, God provided a bride price that included five priceless qualities: righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion, and faithfulness. As a result, the Lord said, Israel will finally know me (cp. 2:13).
XV
Versículo 21
XV. 2:21-22 Unfaithful Israel thought her food and clothing were gifts from her lovers, the baals (2:…
2:21-22 Unfaithful Israel thought her food and clothing were gifts from her lovers, the baals (2:5), but in that day they will know that the Lord alone is the source of all fertility and blessing. He will answer the sky, the clouds, and the earth, initiating the true cycle of fertility for the land. When the Lord is recognized as the only source of life, then the name Jezreel will regain its true meaning: God plants!
16
Versículo 23
16. 2:23 As God has promised (2:1), on the coming day of the Lord he will reverse the names of Gomer’…
2:23 As God has promised (2:1), on the coming day of the Lord he will reverse the names of Gomer’s children. He will show love to ‘Not loved.’ To ‘Not my people,’ he will say, ‘Now you are my people.’ The only fitting response from God’s people is “You are our God!”
Antiguo Testamento
Hosea — Capítulo 2
Hosea experienced betrayal and anguish because of his wife’s adultery. Hosea’s experiences reflect God’s agony over his people’s sins. God’s justice requires judgment, but in his love, God promises to redeem his chosen people. Hosea opens a window for us into the very heart of God. Setting Few eras in ancient Israel were more turbulent than the mid-700s BC. Hosea began his ministry in the north…
Texto — Reina-Valera 1960
1Decid a vuestros hermanos: Ammi; y a vuestras hermanas: Ruhama.
2Contended con vuestra madre, contended; porque ella no es mi mujer, ni yo su marido; aparte, pues, sus fornicaciones de su rostro, y sus adulterios de entre sus pechos;
3no sea que yo la despoje y desnude, la ponga como el día en que nació, la haga como un desierto, la deje como tierra seca, y la mate de sed.
4Ni tendré misericordia de sus hijos, porque son hijos de prostitución.
5Porque su madre se prostituyó; la que los dio a luz se deshonró, porque dijo: Iré tras mis amantes, que me dan mi pan y mi agua, mi lana y mi lino, mi aceite y mi bebida.
6Por tanto, he aquí yo rodearé de espinos su camino, y la cercaré con seto, y no hallará sus caminos.
7Seguirá a sus amantes, y no los alcanzará; los buscará, y no los hallará. Entonces dirá: Iré y me volveré a mi primer marido; porque mejor me iba entonces que ahora.
8Y ella no reconoció que yo le daba el trigo, el vino y el aceite, y que le multipliqué la plata y el oro que ofrecían a Baal.
9Por tanto, yo volveré y tomaré mi trigo a su tiempo, y mi vino a su sazón, y quitaré mi lana y mi lino que había dado para cubrir su desnudez.
10Y ahora descubriré yo su locura delante de los ojos de sus amantes, y nadie la librará de mi mano.
11Haré cesar todo su gozo, sus fiestas, sus nuevas lunas y sus días de reposo, y todas sus festividades.
12Y haré talar sus vides y sus higueras, de las cuales dijo: Mi salario son, salario que me han dado mis amantes. Y las reduciré a un matorral, y las comerán las bestias del campo.
13Y la castigaré por los días en que incensaba a los baales, y se adornaba de sus zarcillos y de sus joyeles, y se iba tras sus amantes y se olvidaba de mí, dice Jehová.
14Pero he aquí que yo la atraeré y la llevaré al desierto, y hablaré a su corazón.
15Y le daré sus viñas desde allí, y el valle de Acor por puerta de esperanza; y allí cantará como en los tiempos de su juventud, y como en el día de su subida de la tierra de Egipto.
16En aquel tiempo, dice Jehová, me llamarás Ishi, y nunca más me llamarás Baali.
17Porque quitaré de su boca los nombres de los baales, y nunca más se mencionarán sus nombres.
18En aquel tiempo haré para ti pacto con las bestias del campo, con las aves del cielo y con las serpientes de la tierra; y quitaré de la tierra arco y espada y guerra, y te haré dormir segura.
19Y te desposaré conmigo para siempre; te desposaré conmigo en justicia, juicio, benignidad y misericordia.
20Y te desposaré conmigo en fidelidad, y conocerás a Jehová.
21En aquel tiempo responderé, dice Jehová, yo responderé a los cielos, y ellos responderán a la tierra.
22Y la tierra responderá al trigo, al vino y al aceite, y ellos responderán a Jezreel.
23Y la sembraré para mí en la tierra, y tendré misericordia de Lo-ruhama; y diré a Lo-ammi: Tú eres pueblo mío, y él dirá: Dios mío.
TYNDALE OPEN STUDY NOTES
Versículo 1
I. 2:1 Ammi—‘My people’: God will also restore the name of the third child to its covenantal meaning…
Versículo 2
II. 2:2-23 bring charges against Israel: At first glance, the Lord, as the aggrieved husband, appears…
Versículo 3
III. 2:3 The Lord warns unfaithful Israel that unless she repents and returns to her covenant partner,…
Versículo 5
IV. 2:5 The only evidence needed to prove Israel’s unfaithfulness comes from her own words: I’ll run …
Versículo 6
V. 2:6-7 For this reason (literally Therefore): The initial Hebrew word of 2:6 (also of 2:9 and 2:14…
Versículo 8
VI. 2:8 She doesn’t realize (literally she doesn’t know): Israel needs to know God personally and exp…
Versículo 9
VII. 2:9-13 God’s first judgment (2:6-7) was to restrict the Israelites; this second judgment would be…
Versículo 11
VIII. 2:11 From the context (2:13, 16-17), as well as from similar passages in Isa 1:12-17 and Amos 5:2…
Versículo 13
IX. 2:13 While the Israelites were worshiping Canaanite gods, they forgot the Lord. For Hosea, to for…
Versículo 14
X. 2:14-15 The third judgment (see note on 2:6-7) is completely unexpected. The Lord, who had innoce…
Versículo 16
XI. 2:16 that day: This seemingly unremarkable phrase is actually quite important in the prophets. It…
Versículo 17
XII. 2:17 To avoid any possible syncretism between the Lord and Baal, God would wipe the many names of…
Versículo 18
XIII. 2:18 On that day the Lord would make a covenant with his creation and his people, a covenant of p…
Versículo 19
XIV. 2:19-20 I will make you my wife: This Hebrew verb, used three times in these verses, can be trans…
Versículo 21
XV. 2:21-22 Unfaithful Israel thought her food and clothing were gifts from her lovers, the baals (2:…
Versículo 23
16. 2:23 As God has promised (2:1), on the coming day of the Lord he will reverse the names of Gomer’…