1E disse-me o SENHOR: Vai, ama a mulher amada por [seu] companheiro, apesar de ser adúltera, assim como SENHOR ama os filhos de Israel, que dão atenção a outros deuses, e amam os bolos de uvas [dedicados aos ídolos] .
2Então eu a comprei para mim por quinze peças de prata, e um ômer e meio de cevada;
3E disse a ela: Tu viverás comigo por muitos dias; não te prostituirás, nem serás de outro homem; nem e eu [esperarei] por ti.
4Porque os filhos de Israel viverão muitos dias sem rei e sem príncipe; sem sacrifício e sem estátua; sem éfode e sem ídolo.
5Depois os filhos de Israel voltarão e buscarão ao SENHOR seu Deus, e a Davi seu rei; e temendo virão ao SENHOR e à 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.