| Hosea 2 | |
|---|---|
 4Q166 "The Hosea Commentary Scroll", late first century B.C. | |
| Book | Book of Hosea |
| Category | Nevi'im |
| Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
| Order in the Christian part | 28 |
Hosea 2 is the second chapter of the Book of Hosea in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1][2] This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Hosea, son of Beeri, and this chapter contains the application of the symbols in the first chapter.[3] It is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets.[4][5]
The original text was written in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 23 verses in English Bibles, but counted to 25 verses in Hebrew Bible using a different verse numbering (see below).
There are some differences in verse numbering of this chapter in English Bibles and Hebrew texts:[6]
| English | Hebrew |
|---|---|
| 1:10-2:1 | 2:1-3 |
| 2:2-23 | 2:4-25 |
This article generally follows the common numbering in Christian English Bible versions, with notes to the numbering in Hebrew Bible versions.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Cairensis (895), the Petersburg Codex of the Prophets (916), Aleppo Codex (10th century), Codex Leningradensis (1008).[7] Fragments containing parts of this chapter in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, including 4Q78 (4QXIIc; 75–50 BCE) with extant verses 11–13 (verses 13–15 in Hebrew Bible);[8][9][10][11] 4Q79 (4QXIId; 75–50 BCE) with extant verses 1–3 (verses 3–5 in Hebrew Bible);[9][12][13][14] 4Q82 (4QXIIg; 25 BCE) with extant verses 2–3, 12–17, 20–23 (verses 1–2, 4–5, 14–19, 22–25 in Hebrew Bible);[9][13][15][16] and 4Q166 (4QpHosa; Hosea Commentary; Pesher Hoshe'a; late first century BCE) with extant verses 8–14.[17][18][19][20]
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; B; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; Q; 6th century).[21][a]
These three verses reverse the negative meanings of the children's names and apply them to the nation of Israel.[23] The Masoretic Text numbers the verses as 2:1-3.[24]
In the two last verses of the former chapter, the prophet speaks of God's mercy to Judah and Israel, to that remnant of the seed of Abraham who returned out of captivity, and to the converted Gentiles; now in this verse he calls on them to acknowledge the mercy, and to excite one another to share mutual love and esteem.[3]
The verses are numbered in the Masoretic Text as 2:4–17.[26] The relationship between Yahweh and Israel is depicted as one of husband and wife. Israel has been unfaithful to her husband and gone whoring after her lovers, the idols/Baals, from whom she hopes to obtain 'grain, wine, oil, and other products', without realizing that those actually come from Yahweh (verses 5, 8). Therefore, Yahweh will strip her naked (verse 3, 9–10), block her way to find her lovers (verse 6–7), withdraw the grain, wine, etc. (v. 9), and allow her religious festivities to cease (verse 11, 13). Israel will then return to Yahweh, so Yahweh will bring her in the wilderness, responding to him there, like during the Exodus, and bring her again into Canaan (verses 14–15).[26]
The Masoretic Text numbers these verses as 2:18–25.[26] The dominant note of this part is hope that Yahweh and Israel will have a marriage bond again and all will be well.[26]
