Hosea 3:2

2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer of barley and a measure of wine.

Hosea 3:2 Meaning and Commentary

Hosea 3:5

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber
His nuptial chamber, on which Elias writes F25,

``we call the garment (or canopy) spread over the head of the bridegroom and bride, supported by four pillars, in the time of their espousals, (hpx) .''

who looks lovely and beautiful in his nuptial robes, cheerful and pleasant in his countenance, creating pleasure and delight in all his friends that see him and hear his voice: and this simile is expressive of the brightness and glory of the sun when it rises; and of the joy and pleasure which it produces in the minds of men when they behold it: all which sets forth the loveliness and beauty of Christ, as he is held forth in the ministration of the Gospel, and the joy unspeakable and full of glory which his presence yields, after a short departure from his people; see ( Isaiah 61:10 ) ( John 3:29 ) ;

[and] rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race;
in which he shows his readiness, velocity, and strength; and this denotes the swiftness of the sun in running its course, and its indefatigableness in its constant motion; though it has been employed therein for so many thousands of years, yet every morning rises with the same cheerfulness, pursues its course, and is never weary: all which may point at the readiness of Gospel ministers, their swiftness to run to and fro, and their strength to fulfil the course of their ministry, in which Christ, the sun of righteousness, is held forth in so glorious a manner.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Elias, in his Tishbi, p. 119. The same word is used Isa. iv. 5. and translated "a defence".

Hosea 3:2 In-Context

1 The Lord said to me again, "Go, love a woman who has a lover and is an adulteress, just as the Lord loves the people of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."
2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer of barley and a measure of wine.
3 And I said to her, "You must remain as mine for many days; you shall not play the whore, you shall not have intercourse with a man, nor I with you."
4 For the Israelites shall remain many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or teraphim.
5 Afterward the Israelites shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; they shall come in awe to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Gk: Heb [a homer of barley and a lethech of barley]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.