2:1

This verse refers back to the LORD’s messages of judgment in 1:6 and 1:9. In those verses, the LORD told Hosea to name his children “Not Loved” and “Not My People” (see notes on 1:9b). In this verse, he uses the same words as in 1:6 and 1:9 to promise a renewal of his covenant with them.

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’

and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’

These two parallel statements are a poetic way to emphasize that the LORD is restoring his covenant relationship with all the people.

brothers…sisters: Both of these terms refer to the same people, that is, Israelites. They do not refer to literal brothers and sisters. In languages that do not use gender-specific terms for brothers and sisters, you may need to use phrases such as “male siblings” and “female siblings.”

‘My people’…‘My loved one’: In Hebrew, the name of Hosea’s daughter was Lo-ruhamah “Not Loved” and the name of his son was Lo-ammi “Not My People.” (See 1:6 and 1:9) The word lo in Hebrew means “not.” In this verse, the Hebrew words are literally ruhamah and ammi. These are the exact same words as in 1:6 and 1:9, except that they are not preceded by the word “not.” If it is possible in your language, you should translate these expressions in a way that makes this connection to 1:6 and 1:9 clear.

To do that, use the same method to express My people and My loved one in your translation as you used to express the meaning of Lo-Ruhamah in 1:6b and Lo-ammi in 1:9a. For example, if you used the Hebrew name, lo-ruhamah in your translation of 1:6 and gave the meaning in a footnote, then use the Hebrew word ruhamah here and give the meaning loved in a footnote. Or, if you translated the name Lo-ruhamah as “Not Loved” in your translation of 1:6, then here you should translate “Loved.”

It is also important that in your translation the pronoun referent of “my” will be understood as the LORD and not as the Israelite who is speaking to his brother or sister. In other words, My people means “the LORD’s people” and My loved one means “the LORD’s loved one.” In some languages, it may be clearer to make the pronoun referent explicit. For example:

“the LORD’s People” and “Loved-by-the-Lord.”

General Comment on 2:1

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine the parallel ideas into one line. For example:

So call your fellow Israelites “the LORD’s People” and “Loved-by-the-LORD.”

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