Hosea – Chapter 1

Old Testament • 11 Verses

Chapter Summary

"The word of the Lord, that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda, and in the…" — so begins Hosea 1. The chapter centers on Hezekiah and Gomer. Across its 11 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's mercy and forgiveness. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1The word of the Lord, that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda, and in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joas, king of Israel.

2The beginning of the Lord's speaking by Hosea: and the Lord said to Hosea: Go, take thee a wife of fornications, and have of her children of fornications: for the land by fornication shall depart from the Lord.

3So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Debelaim: and she conceived, and bore him a son.

4And the Lord said to him: Call his name Jezrahel: for yet a little while, and I will visit the blood of Jezrahel upon the house of Jehu, and I will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.

5And in that day I will break in pieces the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezrahel.

6And she conceived again, and bore a daughter, and he said to him: Call her name, Without mercy: for I will not add any more to have mercy on the house of Israel, but I will utterly forget them.

7And I will have mercy on the house of Juda, and I will save them by the Lord, their God: and I will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, nor by horses, nor by horsemen.

8And she weaned her that was called Without mercy. And she conceived, and bore a son.

9And he said: Call his name, Not my people: for you are not my people, and I will not be yours.

10And the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, that is without measure, and shall not be numbered. And it shall be in the place where it shall be said to them: You are not my people: it shall be said to them: Ye are the sons of the living God.

11And the children of Juda, and the children of Israel, shall be gathered together: and they shall appoint themselves one head, and shall come up out of the land: for great is the day of Jezrahel.

Important Verses in Hosea 1

“The word of the Lord, that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda, and in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joas, king of Israel.”

Hosea 1:1

“And the Lord said to him: Call his name Jezrahel: for yet a little while, and I will visit the blood of Jezrahel upon the house of Jehu, and I will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.”

Hosea 1:4

“And I will have mercy on the house of Juda, and I will save them by the Lord, their God: and I will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, nor by horses, nor by horsemen.”

Hosea 1:7

“And the children of Juda, and the children of Israel, shall be gathered together: and they shall appoint themselves one head, and shall come up out of the land: for great is the day of Jezrahel. ”

Hosea 1:11

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Hosea was written with the northern kingdom of Israel, called back from idolatry to covenant love in view. Chapter 1 of 14 opens the book and sets the stage for everything that follows. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 11 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Hezekiah and Gomer appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "The word of the Lord, that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings…" It concludes: "And the children of Juda, and the children of Israel, shall be gathered together: and they shall appoint themselves one…" Read against its original backdrop, God commanded Hosea to marry Gomer, an unfaithful wife, making his broken marriage a living parable of Israel's idolatry and God's wounded, unbreakable love. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: About 750-722 BC, in the northern kingdom of Israel.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Hosea, son of Beeri

When It Was Written

About 750-722 BC, in the northern kingdom of Israel

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within God's faithful love despite Israel's unfaithfulness. A pivotal line is verse 1: "The word of the Lord, that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda, and in the days of Jeroboam, the…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of God's faithful love despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Hosea's marriage symbolizes God's covenant love (CIC 1611). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1502).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.
  • ✓God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

Hezekiah1 mentionGomer1 mention

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Hosea Chapter 1, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 854).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hosea Chapter 1 about?

Hosea 1 contains 11 verses. It opens with "The word of the Lord, that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings…" and closes with "And the children of Juda, and the children of Israel, shall be gathered together: and they shall appoint themselves one…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles with biographical narrative.

What is a key verse in Hosea 1?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "The word of the Lord, that came to Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda, and in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joas, king…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Hosea Chapter 1?

This chapter mentions Hezekiah, Gomer.

Who wrote Hosea and when?

The prophet Hosea, son of Beeri. About 750-722 BC, in the northern kingdom of Israel.

Related Chapters

2 Kings 16Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Chronicles 4Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Chronicles 28Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Divine Mercy Chaplet🙏Act of Contrition

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