1E o Senhor me disse: Vae outra vez, ama uma mulher, amada de seu amigo, comtudo adultera, como o Senhor ama os filhos de Israel; mas elles olham para outros deuses, e amam os frascos das uvas.
2E a comprei para mim por quinze dinheiros de prata, e um homer de cevada, e meio homer de cevada;
3E lhe disse: Tu ficarás para mim muitos dias (não fornicarás, nem serás de outro homem), e tambem eu ficarei para ti.
4Porque os filhos de Israel ficarão por muitos dias sem rei, e sem principe, e sem sacrificio, e sem estatua, e sem ephod, e sem teraphim.
5Depois tornarão os filhos de Israel, e buscarão ao Senhor seu Deus, e a David, seu rei; e temerão ao Senhor, e á sua bondade, no fim dos dias.
📖 Chapter study
Summary
God commands Hosea to buy Gomer back, who had become a slave, and to live with her in temporary separation, illustrating how Israel would go a time without a king before turning back to seek the Lord.
Explanation
This is one of the most graphic gestures in the Old Testament: Hosea literally redeems his unfaithful wife by paying a price (silver and barley), portraying a love that redeems even when it is undeserved. The waiting period without king, sacrifice, or idols describes the exile Israel would experience, a forced pause that, paradoxically, would lead them to seek God more sincerely. The practical application is that God's love for us is not based on our worthiness but on His willing faithfulness — He pays the price to bring us back.
Fun facts
- The price paid (fifteen shekels of silver and barley) was half the normal value of a slave, suggesting Gomer had fallen very low — likely sold into slavery for debt or prostitution.
- The phrase 'they shall seek... David their king' (v.5) is understood by scholars as a messianic reference, pointing to a descendant of David who would restore the people — fulfilled in Jesus.