Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
Read it in contextGod's Judgment and Restoration of Israel
Start reading at Hosea 2:1 (Hosea 2:1 to Hosea 2:23).
The passage describes God's judgment on unfaithful Israel, followed by His promise to restore and renew His covenant with her. Hosea 2:14 marks the pivotal transition from judgment to restoration.
2:1Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
2:2Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
2:3Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.
2:4And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whoredoms.
2:5For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink.
2:6Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.
2:7And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.
2:8For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal.
2:9Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax given to cover her nakedness.
2:10And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.
2:11I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.
2:12And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These are my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.
2:13And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.
2:14Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.
2:15And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
2:16And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.
2:17For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.
2:18And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
2:19And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
2:20I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.
2:21And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;
2:22And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.
2:23And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Hosea son of Beeri is the named prophet and traditional author of the collected message. Biblical references: Hosea 1:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Hosea 1:1–3:5): Hosea, Gomer, and their children appear in the prophetic family signs addressed to Israel. The marriage imagery explains Israel's relationship with the LORD. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Primarily the northern kingdom of Israel, often called Ephraim, with warnings also concerning Judah. Biblical references: Hosea 4:1; Hosea 5:1; Hosea 5:5. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme of Hosea 2:14? The LORD's promise to lovingly allure and restore unfaithful Israel, bringing her into a place of renewed intimacy and comfort after a period of judgment.
What is God revealing about Himself in this verse? God is revealing His persistent, redemptive love and His intention to restore His covenant relationship with His unfaithful people, even after judgment, by drawing them back to Himself with comfort and hope.
What is the literary style of this passage? The literary style is prophetic discourse, employing an extended metaphor of a husband (the LORD) and his unfaithful wife (Israel) to convey themes of judgment, repentance, and restoration.
When
When was the book of Hosea written? Approximately between 750 and 715 B.C. book background
When does the event described in Hosea 2:14 take place? The event describes a future time of restoration for Israel, following a period of judgment, where the LORD will draw His people back to Himself. This has historical fulfillments (e.g., return from exile) and ultimate eschatological implications. interpretation
Where
Where does the LORD promise to bring Israel in Hosea 2:14? The LORD promises to bring Israel 'into the wilderness,' a place symbolizing isolation, purification, and renewed intimacy with God, reminiscent of the Exodus experience. stated in the text
Where was the prophet Hosea located when he wrote this book? The prophet Hosea was located in the Northern kingdom of Israel. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in God's Judgment and Restoration of Israel (Hosea 2:1 to Hosea 2:23).
Start reading at Hosea 2:1. The passage describes God's judgment on unfaithful Israel, followed by His promise to restore and renew His covenant with her. Hosea 2:14 marks the pivotal transition from judgment to restoration.
How
How does Hosea 2:14 fit into the broader context of Hosea 2:1-23? Hosea 2:14 serves as a crucial turning point in the passage, transitioning from the LORD's pronouncements of judgment against Israel's unfaithfulness and idolatry (Hosea 2:2-13) to His gracious promises of restoration, reconciliation, and a renewed covenant relationship (Hosea 2:15-23). It highlights God's enduring love and redemptive purpose. interpretation
How does this passage point to Christ? This passage points to Christ by illustrating God's persistent, redemptive love for His unfaithful people. Just as the LORD allures Israel back to Himself for comfort and restoration, so too does Christ, the Good Shepherd, pursue lost sinners, drawing them to repentance and offering reconciliation and comfort through His atoning sacrifice. He establishes a new covenant of grace, fulfilling the promise of eternal betrothal in righteousness and faithfulness. interpretation
How can I apply the message of Hosea 2:14 to my life today? Today, this verse assures believers of God's unfailing love and commitment. Even when we are unfaithful or stray, God actively seeks to draw us back to Himself, offering comfort, forgiveness, and restoration. It encourages us to respond to His allure, to embrace seasons of spiritual 'wilderness' as opportunities for deeper intimacy and renewed hope, and to trust in His grace to speak comfort to our hearts. interpretation
Cited: Hosea 2:14
Who wrote it, and how we know
HoseaNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD that came to Hosea. Hosea 1:1
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Hosea 2
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Hosea's opening names the reigns associated with his ministry. Marriage and family imagery portray the LORD's relationship with Israel; distinguish enacted signs, poetic speech, and direct exhortation. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The family imagery establishes the book's portrayal of Israel's unfaithfulness and the LORD's announced purpose of restoration.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The family imagery establishes the book's portrayal of Israel's unfaithfulness and the LORD's announced purpose of restoration.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Hosea
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Hosea's opening names the reigns associated with his ministry. Marriage and family imagery portray the LORD's relationship with Israel; distinguish enacted signs, poetic speech, and direct exhortation.
Connection to the wholeThe closing movement recalls the relationship, renews the indictment, and ends with an appeal to return and a promise of healing.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.