Hosea 1:1

KJV

¶ The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

The word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} that came unto Hosea {H1954}, the son {H1121} of Beeri {H882}, in the days {H3117} of Uzziah {H5818}, Jotham {H3147}, Ahaz {H271}, and Hezekiah {H3169}, kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, and in the days {H3117} of Jeroboam {H3379} the son {H1121} of Joash {H3101}, king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the word of ADONAI that came to Hoshea the son of Be'eri during the reigns of 'Uziyah, Yotam, Achaz and Y'chizkiyah, kings of Y'hudah, and during the reign of Yarov'am the son of Yo'ash, king of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

This is the word of the LORD that came to Hosea son of Beeri in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and of Jeroboam son of Jehoash, king of Israel.

American Standard Version

The word of Jehovah that came unto Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 1:1 serves as the foundational superscription for the entire book of Hosea, meticulously identifying the prophet, Hosea son of Beeri, and precisely dating his ministry to the reigns of four Judean kings—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—and concurrently to the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel. This opening verse immediately establishes the divine origin and historical grounding of the subsequent prophecies, asserting that the messages contained within are not human opinions but direct, authoritative "word of the LORD" delivered into a specific, turbulent period of both Judah and Israel's history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 1:1 functions as a typical prophetic superscription, a common literary device found at the beginning of many Old Testament prophetic books (e.g., [Isaiah 1:1](/isaiah/1-1 "Isaiah 1:1 - Superscription"), [Amos 1:1](/amos/1-1 "Amos 1:1 - Superscription")). Its primary purpose is to authenticate the prophet and his message by clearly stating the divine source ("The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea") and anchoring it in a precise historical timeframe. This immediately informs the reader that the following content is not merely human commentary but divinely inspired revelation, intended for a specific audience at a particular moment in history. By listing kings from both Judah and Israel, it signals the dual focus of Hosea's message, though the primary audience for his prophecy is the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea's ministry spanned a significant and tumultuous period in the history of both the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In Judah, the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah represent a period of fluctuating spiritual and political fortunes, from Uzziah's initial prosperity and later apostasy to Hezekiah's significant religious reforms. Crucially, Hosea's prophecy primarily targets the Northern Kingdom of Israel, specifically overlapping with the reign of Jeroboam II. Under Jeroboam II, Israel experienced a remarkable resurgence of political power and economic prosperity, extending its borders and enjoying a period of peace (detailed in [2 Kings 14:23-29](/2_kings/14-23-29 "2 Kings 14:23-29 - Reign of Jeroboam II")). However, this outward success masked deep spiritual decay, widespread idolatry, social injustice, and moral corruption, which are the very sins Hosea vehemently condemns. This historical backdrop of material wealth juxtaposed with spiritual emptiness is essential for understanding the urgency and severity of Hosea's message of impending judgment and the call to repentance before Israel's eventual fall to Assyria.

* **Key Themes:** This opening verse contributes to several overarching themes found throughout Hosea and the broader prophetic corpus. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Revelation and Authority**, as the phrase "The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea" unequivocally establishes the prophetic message as God's direct communication, not human wisdom. This underscores the authority and infallibility of the subsequent warnings and promises. Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Sovereignty in History**, demonstrating that God is intimately involved in the affairs of nations and their leaders, orchestrating events and delivering His word within specific historical contexts. The naming of kings from both kingdoms also subtly introduces the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Unfaithfulness**, setting the stage for Hosea's extended metaphor of Israel's spiritual adultery against their covenant-keeping God, a theme that will be vividly portrayed through the prophet's own life and marriage (as seen in [Hosea 1:2-3](/hosea/1-2-3 "Hosea 1:2-3 - Hosea's Marriage to Gomer")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) is far more comprehensive than simply a spoken utterance. It encompasses a "matter" (as spoken of) or "thing," an "act," "affair," "counsel," or "decree." In the context of "the word of the LORD," it signifies God's active, authoritative, and effective communication, which carries the weight of His will and brings about what it declares. It is not merely information but a potent force that shapes history and demands a response.
* **Hosea (Hebrew, _Hôwshêaʻ'_):** The prophet's name (H1954) means "deliverer" or "salvation," derived from the root _yāshaʻ_ (to save, deliver). This is highly significant, as his very name foreshadows the central message of his book: despite Israel's unfaithfulness and impending judgment, God's ultimate purpose is salvation and restoration for His people. The irony is that the "deliverer" prophet is called to deliver a message of impending doom, yet with a glimmer of hope for future deliverance.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton (H3068), God's covenant name, often rendered "Yahweh." It signifies "the self-Existent or Eternal One," emphasizing God's unchanging nature, His covenant faithfulness, and His active presence in the history of His people. The use of this name here underscores that the message delivered by Hosea originates from the sovereign, covenant-making God of Israel, who remains true to His character even when His people are not.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea":** This opening phrase is a powerful prophetic formula, immediately asserting the divine origin and authority of the entire book. It signifies that the prophet is not speaking his own thoughts or political analyses, but rather serving as a direct conduit for God's authoritative message. The emphasis is on God as the initiator and source of revelation.
* **"the son of Beeri":** This identifies Hosea's lineage, a common practice in biblical introductions to establish credibility and historical grounding. While Beeri is otherwise unknown, this detail firmly roots Hosea within a specific family and community, distinguishing him from others and affirming his identity as a legitimate messenger.
* **"in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah":** This provides the chronological framework for Hosea's ministry within the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The mention of four successive kings indicates a long prophetic career, likely spanning several decades, from the mid-8th century BCE into the early 7th century BCE. This broad timeframe highlights the sustained nature of God's communication and patience with His people.
* **"and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.":** This crucial detail specifies the contemporary ruler of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam II. His reign was marked by significant political stability and economic prosperity, yet also by profound spiritual and moral decay. This dual dating (kings of Judah and Israel) underscores that Hosea's message was relevant to both kingdoms, but primarily directed at the spiritual adultery of the Northern Kingdom, which was on the precipice of judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 1:1 primarily employs **Superscription** as its dominant literary device. This is a standard feature in prophetic books, serving as an authoritative title or heading that introduces the prophet, the divine source of the message, and the historical context. It functions as a **Historical Framing** device, meticulously dating the prophecy by referencing contemporary monarchs from both Judah and Israel. This precise dating lends credibility and historical veracity to the prophetic message, demonstrating that God's word is not abstract but delivered into real-world circumstances. Furthermore, the recurring phrase "The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea" acts as a **Divine Formula**, emphasizing the direct, undeniable, and authoritative nature of the communication from God to His chosen messenger, thereby establishing the prophetic authority and divine origin of the entire book.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 1:1 profoundly establishes that divine revelation is not a detached, ethereal concept but a concrete, historically grounded reality. God actively intervenes in human affairs, choosing specific individuals in specific times to convey His will and truth. The meticulous dating of Hosea's prophecy to the reigns of various kings underscores God's sovereignty over nations and history, demonstrating that even amidst political shifts and societal decline, His word remains constant and relevant. This historical anchoring validates the message as truly from the LORD, emphasizing that God's covenant relationship with Israel, and His subsequent judgment and promise of restoration, are played out within the tangible realities of their national life. It sets the stage for understanding the profound theological drama of God's faithful love pursuing an unfaithful people, a love rooted in His unchanging character (Yahweh).

* [Jeremiah 1:1](/jeremiah/1-1 "Jeremiah 1:1 - Superscription of Jeremiah's Prophecy")
* [Joel 1:1](/joel/1-1 "Joel 1:1 - Superscription of Joel's Prophecy")
* [Zephaniah 1:1](/zephaniah/1-1 "Zephaniah 1:1 - Superscription of Zephaniah's Prophecy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 1:1, though a brief introductory verse, carries profound implications for our understanding of God's engagement with humanity. It reminds us that God is not a distant deity but one who actively speaks into the specific realities of our lives, our societies, and our historical moments. Just as His word came to Hosea amidst a period of outward prosperity but deep spiritual decay, so too does God's truth confront the complexities and challenges of our contemporary world. This verse calls us to recognize the enduring authority and relevance of God's Word, not as an ancient text divorced from reality, but as a living, active message that addresses our spiritual condition, societal injustices, and personal choices. It challenges us to listen intently, to discern God's voice amidst the noise of our age, and to allow His truth to shape our understanding of ourselves, our communities, and our place in His unfolding redemptive plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the historical specificity of Hosea 1:1 reinforce your belief in the Bible as God's authoritative word, rather than a collection of timeless, abstract principles?**
* **In what ways might our current society, like ancient Israel under Jeroboam II, experience outward prosperity while simultaneously suffering from spiritual or moral decay?**
* **What does "the word of the LORD that came unto" mean for you personally? How do you seek to hear and respond to God's word in your own life today?**

### FAQ
**Why is it important for the prophecy to be dated so precisely with the names of kings?**

Answer: The precise dating of Hosea's prophecy by listing the reigns of kings from both Judah and Israel serves several critical purposes. Firstly, it authenticates the prophet and his message, demonstrating that Hosea was a real person delivering God's word into a specific historical context, not a mythical figure or a timeless philosopher. This historical anchoring lends credibility to the divine origin of the message. Secondly, it helps the reader understand the political, social, and spiritual backdrop against which the prophecies were delivered. Knowing that Hosea ministered during Jeroboam II's reign, a time of outward prosperity but deep spiritual corruption in Israel (as detailed in [2 Kings 14:23-29](/2_kings/14-23-29 "2 Kings 14:23-29 - Reign of Jeroboam II")), provides essential context for the severity of God's warnings about idolatry and injustice. Finally, it highlights God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His sovereignty over nations and their leaders, and His commitment to revealing His will within the unfolding events of time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Hosea 1:1 primarily serves as an introductory superscription, its emphasis on "the word of the LORD that came unto Hosea" finds its ultimate fulfillment and culmination in the person of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prophets were divinely appointed messengers through whom God spoke His word to humanity, but their revelation was partial and preparatory. As [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son") declares, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Jesus is not merely a messenger of God's word; He *is* the living Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the full and final revelation of God's character and redemptive plan. Just as Hosea's ministry was historically grounded, so too was Christ's incarnation and earthly ministry firmly rooted in human history, fulfilling the law and the prophets ([Luke 24:27](/luke/24-27 "Luke 24:27 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures") and [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Jesus Explains the Law, Prophets, and Psalms")). Thus, the historical specificity of Hosea 1:1 foreshadows the historical reality of God's ultimate self-disclosure in Christ, through whom all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 9:25

¶ As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

Micah 1:1

¶ The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Isaiah 1:1

¶ The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Amos 1:1

¶ The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.

2 Chronicles 26:1

¶ Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who [was] sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.

2 Chronicles 26:23

So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which [belonged] to the kings; for they said, He [is] a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.

2 Kings 18:1

¶ Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, [that] Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.