Chapter 3

1 By the expiation of an adulteress, 4 is shewed the desolation of Israel before their restoration.

1. Go yet. Or, “go again.” This refers to the command of ch. 1:2 (see on ch. 1:2).

A woman. Though not specifically stated here, the reference is undoubtedly to Hosea’s former wife. Only by regarding the narrative in this light does the experience become an effective illustration of God’s love for wayward Israel and His willingness to renew His covenant with her.

Beloved of her friend. By a slight change in the traditional Hebrew vowels (see Vol. I, pp. 25, 26), the LXX has obtained a translation of the clause which reads, “love a woman that loves evil things.” The translation “friend” may refer either to her lawful husband or to one of her lovers.

Flagons of wine. Heb. Хashishe Фanabim, “a raisin-cake,” made of dried, compressed grapes. These delicacies are here condemned probably because of their connection with the worship of false gods.

2. Bought her. Evidently Gomer had fallen into some type of debt or slavery after she had left Hosea (see ch. 2:7).

Fifteen pieces. About half the price of a manservant (see on Ex. 21:32).

Homer. An homer is 6.24 bu. (220 liters); thus the total barley paid was 9.36 bu. (330 liters) (see Vol. I, p. 167). The price paid by the prophet, partly in money and partly in barley (counted an inferior cereal in Palestine), was approximately that of a common maidservant. Thus was set forth strikingly the low, degraded estate of Hosea’s wife. The use of barley as part payment may itself have reflected this degradation by suggesting the “barley meal” offered when a wife was suspected of adultery (see Num. 5:11–15). Could any symbol show more pointedly the debased state to which Israel had fallen?

3. Abide for me many days. The full reunion was to be delayed, perhaps to allow for a period of probation, or for a period of purification, discipline, and instruction.

So will I also be. That is, the prophet himself would not resume fully the family relationship with her for “many days.” Likewise Israel, separated from both her lovers and her Husband, would for “many days” be removed from her old idols and at the same time be cut off from her full covenant privileges.

4. Without a king. From the beginning of the Captivity, Israel was for “many days” without her own government.

An image. Heb. massebah, “a stone pillar,” or “an obelisk,” often employed in connection with idolatrous worship (see on Deut. 16:22; 1 Kings 14:23).

Ephod. See on Ex. 28:6–12.

Teraphim. Images. See on Gen. 31:19.

5. Israel return. A reference to Israel’s return from captivity (see on ch. 1:11).

David their king. The ten tribes had rebelled and had broken away from the house of David (1 Kings 12:16, 25–33). To them was made no promise of a return to their former status of national independence following the Captivity. In the restoration of Judah individual members of the tribes might share, and doubtless many did (see on Hosea 1:11). But those who returned would all be under one king (Eze. 37:16–28). The final fulfillment of Hosea’s prediction will come “at the close of earth’s history, when Christ shall appear” (PK 298).

Fear the Lord. See on Deut. 28:67.

Ellen G. White comments

4, 5 PK 298