The 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 1:2KJV
Know the Bible

Hosea 1:2 (KJV)

What does Hosea 1:2 mean?

Hosea 1:2 describes God’s first message to the prophet Hosea, telling him to marry a woman known for unfaithfulness and to have children with her, as a living picture of how the people of Israel have been unfaithful to God by turning away from Him. The verse uses Hosea’s family life as a symbol of Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness.

In this verse, the LORD (the personal name for God, יְהוָה / YHWH) speaks directly to Hosea, commanding him to “take a wife of whoredoms” and have “children of whoredoms.” The situation is that Israel, the “land,” has been unfaithful to God, and Hosea’s marriage is meant to show this reality in a concrete, visible way. The verse sets the stage for the rest of Hosea’s message by connecting Hosea’s personal life to the nation’s relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Hosea 1:2

  • יְהוָה (YHWH; LORD): This is the personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing that the message comes from the God who has a special relationship with Israel.
  • זְנוּנִים (zenunim; whoredoms): This word refers to sexual unfaithfulness or prostitution, but here it is used to describe spiritual unfaithfulness—Israel’s turning to other gods. The repeated use of this word highlights the seriousness and repeated nature of Israel’s betrayal.
  • דָּבָר (davar; word): This word means “word” or “message.” The verse marks the beginning of God’s direct communication through Hosea, signaling the importance of what follows.

Why Hosea 1:2 matters

  • Hosea 1:2 clears up that Hosea’s marriage was not just a personal event but a deliberate, symbolic act commanded by God to illustrate Israel’s spiritual state.
  • The verse emphasizes the depth of Israel’s unfaithfulness by comparing it to marital infidelity, making the spiritual problem more relatable and vivid.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the rest of Hosea, where the prophet’s family life continues to mirror God’s relationship with His people.

Where else these words appear

“whoredoms” Hebrew H2183 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 38:24 And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.
  • Ezekiel 23:29 And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.
  • Hosea 4:12 My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.

“Hosea” Hebrew H1954 · used in 15 verses

  • Numbers 13:8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
  • 2 Kings 17:1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.
  • 2 Kings 18:9 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

“beginning” Hebrew H8462 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
  • Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
  • Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

“children” Hebrew H3206 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Exodus 21:4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.
  • 2 Chronicles 10:10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.