The book of hosea is a narrative history and prophetic oracle. Their life is a love story, but not the fairy tale kind. Powerful love overcomes rebellion in the book of hosea. According to the traditional order of most hebrew bibles, it is the first of the twelve minor prophets set around the fall of the northern kingdom of israel, the book of hosea denounces the worship of gods other than jehovah, metaphorically comparing israels abandonment of jehovah to a. Douglas stuart hoseajonah word biblical commentary, 1987. Hosea prophesied during a very dark time of israel\s history. Hosea walking in grace commentary series kress biblical. The northern kingdom of israel enjoyed moderate success from conquering neighboring kingdoms, but they were spiritually bankrupt on the inside. The single best commentary on the first five minor prophets is the. We have now before us the twelve minor prophets, which some of the ancients, in reckoning up the books of the old testament, put all together, and reckon but as. She looks at common views of the book of hosea and presents new. Hosea is the only prophet of israel who left any written prophecies which were recorded during the later years of his life. God used the names of hoseas children, along with his wifes unfaithfulness.
Like the book of amos, the book of hosea is addressed to the people of the northern kingdom israel. Andrew dearman considers the prophetic figures historical roots in the covenant traditions of ancient israel, includes his own translation of the biblical text, and masterfully unpacks hoseas poetic, metaphorical message of. Book of hosea overview insight for living ministries. Then the lord said to me, go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the lord for the children of israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans. Hosea with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Douglas stuart, word biblical commentary wbc, thomas nelson, 1987, 588 pp. The walking in grace commentary series wgcs is specifically designed to serve all those seeking clear, concise biblical exposition. Prophesying the past focuses on the impact of tradition and history on the construction of the book of hosea. The whole district was one big city of iniquity and bloody deeds.
In this solid midtoupper level commentary on the book of hosea, j. Hosea was called to the ministry of a prophet early in his life, and the book of the bible devoted to his name spans almost the duration of his lifetime. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The book of hosea the new international commentary on the. The words of hoseas prophecy concern the wrath of a spurned husband and the forgiveness of true love. Biblical scholar holt examines the background of israel to investigate how it is used in hosea. By them hosea expresses his deep woe over israels condition.
Chapter 14 closes with an appeal to true repentance. Free bible commentary on hosea in easy english easyenglish bible. Biblical theology biblical hermeneutics biblical canon scriptures and revelation narrative themes prolegomena trinitarianism sacraments providencesoveriegnty heaven and hell worship. Hosea, an oldtestament prophet, preached his own life message using his marriage as the sermon illustration. Stuart deals with the details of the text as well as the big picture. Gods chastisement of the prodigal people, hosea 11.
Book 34 of 41 in the word biblical commentary series. Often, we do not recognize the derivation of these bible names, but this prophets name would be joseph in english. The cult of the golden bullcalves at bethel and bethaven will have corrupted ephraim and this corruption will be responsible for terrible punishments. Throughout the book, hosea will show us that salvation is found in turning to the lord and away from our sin. Many people of israel turned away from god to worship pagan idols. Hosea probably used the term city qiryat as a metaphor. See all 2 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Hosea commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole.
The outlines and insightful applications are suggestive for both the. Throughout the book, the prophet speaks to the people of israel about the critical situation that developed during the. Study hosea 1 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The word that comes to us is likewise not simply lexical items and sentences of words, but a life. Book of hosea, the first of 12 old testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets, considered as one book, the twelve, in the jewish canon. If this becomes characteristic of society at large, dishonesty and corruption become endemic. God told hosea to marry a wife who was not loyal hosea 1. They are called minor prophets not because their material is less important or insignificant, but because of the size of the book they wrote was shorter in length. The teacher, preacher, student, and layman alike will appreciate its brevity and claritygetting to the heart of the text without wasting words. Book of hosea biblical studies oxford bibliographies. Read hosea commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The book of second kings records jeroboams reign as follows.
Division amongst israelite tribes invites disaster. What a contrast with the integrity of gileads earlier settlers num 32. The first part of the book narrates the family life of hosea as a symbol similar to the symbolism in the lives of isaiah, jeremiah and ezekiel to convey the message the prophet had from the lord for his people. Study the bible online using commentary on hosea and more.
Hosea revealed little about his background, though his book of prophecy offers a. The single best commentary on the first five minor prophets is the commentary by douglas stuart in the word biblical commentary series. Hosea would speak of gilead in another connection later 12. Hosea 1 bible commentary matthew henry concise christianity. And his name is related to the name joshua, which means salvation. At the same time he shows the future ways of god with his people.
Hosea accuses israel of breaking their covenant with god, and warns them of the tragic consequences to follow. Be a berean not always literal especially in prophetic passages. Andrew dearman considers the prophetic figures historical roots in the covenant traditions of ancient israel, includes his own translation of the biblical text, and masterfully unpacks hoseas poetic, metaphorical message of betrayal, judgment, and reconciliation. Hosea 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary contains over 34,000 pages in its original 56 volume printing, the largest of its kind. The word biblical commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to scripture as divine revelation. In this solid theological commentary on the book of hosea, j. Intro to hosea biblica the international bible society. Men are not to be flattered in sinful ways because they prosper in the world. When this is true it all too easily leads to compromise, selfish ambition, and lack of integrity in ones personal activities and dealings. As an account full of harsh judgment unfolds, we find in its midst a rare and pure gem. The book reveals the personality of the prophet, an emotional man who in a moment could swing from violent anger to the deepest tenderness. The book of hoseaits a deeply personal and passionate love story, yet its a difficult story. Hosea is the first book in the sections of minor prophets.
Abstract the book of hosea portrays the dangers of the observance of religious ceremony without genuine devotion and commitment to the lord. Courtesy of the israel antiquities authority 6 this text is a commentary, or pesher, on the prophetic biblical verses from the book of hosea 2. Top 5 commentaries on the book of hosea ligonier ministries. Best commentaries and books on hosea logos bible software. Hosea, volume 24 in the anchor bible series of new, bookbybook translations of the old and new testaments and apocrypha is a collaboration by worldrenowned scholars francis i. The book of hosea is the first of the twelve minor prophets. A free bible commentary on the book of hosea in easyenglish.
Commentary on each passage follows a clear structure to help readers grasp the flow and meaning of the text. In johns gospel, that statement leads to the incarnation. Its fourteen chapters contain both a warning concerning future events and an interpretation of these events meanings. The book of hosea was likely written between 755 and 725 b. The book of hosea was written in the northern kingdom of israel in the eighth century bc, during the reign of jeroboam ii 786746 bc. The commentary on hosea within this volume is 220 pages of the total. Provides a wonderful discussion on the problems raised by a study of hosea, especially with regard to the books metaphorical language and its theology. Hosea, the son of beeri, prophesied for quite some time, from 785 to 725 b. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology.
In the book of hosea, god sends hosea to israel during king jeroboam iis reign to admonish. Hosea 1 niv the word of the lord that came to hosea. Study the books of hosea, joel, amos, obadiah, and jonah with pioneering. According to the superscription, hosea began his prophetic activity during the reign of jeroboam ii c. Hosea was a young preacher in the nation of israel, the northern kingdom, and he was a. Scholars, pastors, and serious bible students will welcome the.