Hosea – Chapter 3

Old Testament • 5 Verses

Chapter Summary

Hosea 3 opens with the words: "And the Lord said to me: Go yet again, and love a woman beloved of her friend, and an adulteress: as the Lord loveth the children of…" David stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 5 verses, two threads run through the text: love and charity and family and covenant relationships. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And the Lord said to me: Go yet again, and love a woman beloved of her friend, and an adulteress: as the Lord loveth the children of Israel, and they look to strange gods, and love the husks of the grapes.

2And I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for a core of barley, and for half a core of barley.

3And I said to her: Thou shalt wait for me many days: thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt be no man's, and I also will wait for thee.

4For the children of Israel shall sit many days without king, and without prince, and without sacrifice, and without altar, and without ephod, and without theraphim.

5And after this the children of Israel shall return and shall seek the Lord, their God, and David, their king: and they shall fear the Lord, and his goodness, in the last days.

Important Verses in Hosea 3

“And the Lord said to me: Go yet again, and love a woman beloved of her friend, and an adulteress: as the Lord loveth the children of Israel, and they look to strange gods, and love the husks of the grapes.”

Hosea 3:1

“And after this the children of Israel shall return and shall seek the Lord, their God, and David, their king: and they shall fear the Lord, and his goodness, in the last days. ”

Hosea 3:5

Historical Context

Hosea belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the northern kingdom of Israel, called back from idolatry to covenant love. Chapter 3 of 14 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 5 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on David, the principal figures named in this chapter. The passage starts with these words: "And the Lord said to me: Go yet again, and love a woman beloved of her friend, and an adulteress: as the Lord loveth…" The final verse reads: "And after this the children of Israel shall return and shall seek the Lord, their God, and David, their king: and they…" 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. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Hosea around 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: "And the Lord said to me: Go yet again, and love a woman beloved of her friend, and an adulteress: as the Lord loveth the children of Israel, and they look to…" The passage repeatedly touches on love and charity.

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 1988).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.. 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

  • ✓Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

David1 mention

Reflection for Today

Hosea Chapter 3, containing 5 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 2683). Here the emphasis falls on lectio divina and meditation on God's Word, which shapes how the Church understands God's faithful love despite Israel's unfaithfulness.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of lectio divina and meditation on God's Word bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hosea Chapter 3 about?

Hosea 3 contains 5 verses. It opens with "And the Lord said to me: Go yet again, and love a woman beloved of her friend, and an adulteress: as the Lord loveth…" and closes with "And after this the children of Israel shall return and shall seek the Lord, their God, and David, their king: and they…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles with biographical narrative.

What is a key verse in Hosea 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the Lord said to me: Go yet again, and love a woman beloved of her friend, and an adulteress: as the Lord loveth the children of Israel, and they look to strange gods, and…" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Hosea Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions David.

Who wrote Hosea and when?

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

Related Chapters

Ruth 4Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Samuel 18Shares people and themes with this chapter2 Samuel 1Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love🙏Litany of the Sacred Heart🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family

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