Section 1:1

Preface/Introduction

This opening verse introduces the whole book. It tells us that this book was a message from the LORD to his people through the prophet Hosea. It also tells when Hosea received this message from the LORD.

In Hebrew, this first verse serves as a title for the whole book. Most English versions have a separate book title, such as “Hosea,” followed directly by 1:1. There are two ways to show the relationship of 1:1 to the rest of the book:

• Place a section heading before 1:1. Here are some other examples of section headings:

The beginning of the book
-or-
The LORD gave a message to Hosea

• Do not place any heading before 1:1. Instead, place the first heading before 1:2. See the examples in the note on Section 1:2–9.

Paragraph 1:1

1:1a

This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri: The expression the word of the LORD refers here to the message that the LORD gave to the prophet Hosea. It is implied that Hosea would make this message known by his words or actions to the people.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

This is the message which the Lord gave Hosea son of Beeri…. (Good News Translation)
-or-
This book contains the words/message that God made known to Hosea the son of Beeri

LORD: The word LORD represents the Hebrew word “Yahweh,” the personal name of God. In Hebrew, this is a proper name, not a title or general noun. See the discussion of Yahweh, the LORD in the Introduction.

to Hosea son of Beeri: See the discussion of The author in the Introduction.

The writer introduced himself in the third person, as if he were speaking about someone else. The writers of the New Testament letters did this also. Most English versions keep the third person forms. However, if this would be confusing for your readers, you could reword it using “I…me.” For example:

I am Hosea son of Beeri. This is the message that God gave to me during…

If you use “I” or “me” in this verse, you will need to make the same change in some of the verses that follow. For example, in 1:3, the Contemporary English Version has:

So I married Gomer (Contemporary English Version)

son of Beeri: In languages that do not use specific terms for son or “daughter,” you may use a general term. For example:

child of Beeri

1:1b

in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah: This is a list of the kings of the southern kingdom of Judah who ruled one after the other. Hosea prophesied sometime within this same time period. Verse 1:2a–b does not imply that Hosea’s ministry began during the same year as the reign of King Uzziah or that it ended during the same year as the reign of King Hezekiah. See the discussion of The historical background in the Introduction.

kings: The word “king” is a title that refers to the highest official of a country. In languages where a word for “king” is not known, you may use a title with a similar meaning. For example:

chief officials
-or-
rulers

1:1c

and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel: This statement refers to the reign of Jeroboam II. He ruled as king over Israel in the north during the same time period as the kings of Judah in the south that are listed above. Hosea prophesied sometime within this same time period. See the discussion of The historical background in the Introduction.

General Comment on 1:1a–c

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder the parts of this verse. The Contemporary English Version has reordered some of the verse parts using the first person pronouns “I” and “me.”

1a I am Hosea son of Beeri. 1b When Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were the kings of Judah, 1c and when Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel, 1a the Lord spoke this message to me.

For a way to reorder the parts of this verse using third person forms, see 1:1a–c (combined/reordered) in the Display. Use an order that is natural in your language.

Division 1:2–3:5

Hosea’s marriage and family symbolized Israel’s unfaithfulness to God

In chapters 1–3, Hosea’s relationship with Gomer illustrates the LORD’s relationship to his people, the Israelites. Hosea married Gomer, but she was not faithful to him. Instead, she left him and lived with other men. In a similar way, the LORD had made an agreement with the people of Israel that he would be their God and they should worship only him. But they were not faithful to obey that agreement. Instead, they turned away from him and worshiped false gods. The LORD punished Israel because of their unfaithfulness, but eventually he was merciful and restored their relationship. In a similar way, Hosea was merciful to Gomer and restored their relationship.

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