Hosea

• DatesMinistry about 755–715 BC, in the northern kingdom (debated)
• GenreMinor Prophets
• AuthorshipHosea son of Beeri
• TimelineDivided Kingdom
• Key textsHosea 1–3; Hosea 6; Hosea 11
• Read the textHosea in the World English Bible
• Covered in classSession 3, Session 10

What the sources say, and how sure we are

• The text says

  Hosea prophesies in the days of Jeroboam II of Israel and of several kings of Judah. At God’s command he marries Gomer and gives his children symbolic names.Hos 1:1–9; Hos 3

• Outside evidence

  Assyrian records of Tiglath-pileser III list tribute from Menahem of Israel, showing the Assyrian pressure that the book describes.2 Kgs 15:19–20

• Debated

  Scholars debate whether Hosea’s marriage actually happened or is a vision or parable, and whether Gomer was unfaithful before or after they married.Hos 1:2; Hos 3:1

• Christian conclusion

  Matthew applies Hosea 11:1 to Jesus coming out of Egypt, and Paul applies Hosea 2:23 to Gentiles who are called God’s people.Matt 2:15; Rom 9:25–26