Hosea 1:4

KJV

And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little [while], and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto him, Call {H7121} his name {H8034} Jezreel {H3157}; for yet a little {H4592} while, and I will avenge {H6485} the blood {H1818} of Jezreel {H3157} upon the house {H1004} of Jehu {H3058}, and will cause to cease {H7673} the kingdom {H4468} of the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to him, "Call him Yizre'el, because in only a short time I will punish the house of Yehu for having shed blood at Yizre'el; I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel, for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause the kingdom of the house of Israel to cease.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 1:4 introduces the first of Hosea's symbolic children, Jezreel, whose name encapsulates a dual prophecy: God's impending judgment upon the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Specifically, it declares divine retribution for the blood shed by the house of Jehu at Jezreel, signaling the imminent end of their dynasty and, by extension, the cessation of the kingdom of Israel itself due to its persistent unfaithfulness and the flawed execution of divine mandates.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 1 sets the stage for the entire prophetic book, establishing the unusual and profoundly symbolic nature of Hosea's ministry. The prophet's marriage to Gomer, a harlot, and the subsequent naming of their children serve as living parables illustrating God's covenant relationship with unfaithful Israel. This verse, detailing the naming of the first son, Jezreel, is the initial prophetic utterance delivered through this familial metaphor. It immediately establishes a tone of judgment, which will be elaborated upon through the names of the subsequent children (Lo-Ruhamah and Lo-Ammi), before the overarching theme shifts towards God's enduring love and ultimate promise of restoration in later chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea ministered during a tumultuous period for the Northern Kingdom (Israel/Ephraim), roughly from the mid-8th century BC, spanning the reigns of Jeroboam II to Hoshea. While Jeroboam II's reign brought a period of relative prosperity, it was also marked by profound spiritual apostasy, syncretistic worship (combining Yahwism with Baalism), social injustice, and political instability (a rapid succession of kings, often through assassination). The "house of Jehu" refers to the dynasty founded by King Jehu, who was anointed by Elisha to purge the wicked house of Ahab and eradicate Baal worship from Israel (as detailed in [2 Kings 9](/2_kings/9 "Jehu Anointed King") and [2 Kings 10](/2_kings/10 "Jehu's Purge of Ahab's House and Baal Worship")). While Jehu fulfilled God's command to destroy Ahab's family and Baalism, his actions were characterized by excessive zeal and likely impure motives, as he did not fully depart from the idolatry of Jeroboam I (the golden calves). The "blood of Jezreel" refers to the massacres Jehu carried out in the Jezreel Valley, which, despite fulfilling a divine command in part, were executed with a cruelty or ambition that incurred God's displeasure, leading to this prophetic judgment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Hosea and the broader prophetic corpus. It highlights **Divine Judgment** as God's righteous response to covenant unfaithfulness and human accountability, even for those acting as His instruments. The "blood of Jezreel" underscores the theme of **Justice for Bloodshed**, emphasizing that God holds leaders accountable for their methods and motives, even when their initial actions are divinely sanctioned. The prophecy of the "cessation of the kingdom of the house of Israel" powerfully conveys God's **Sovereignty over Nations**, demonstrating His ultimate authority to raise and depose kingdoms. Furthermore, the name Jezreel itself introduces the theme of **Symbolic Action and Dual Meaning**, as it initially signifies "God scatters" in judgment but later transforms into "God sows" in the context of restoration, as seen in [Hosea 2:23](/hosea/2-23 "Jezreel as a Name of Hope").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jezreel (Hebrew, _Yizrᵉʻêʼl'_):** H3157, "God will sow." This name is central to the verse's meaning. While it directly references the historical plain where Jehu's bloody purge occurred, its literal meaning "God will sow" carries a profound double entendre. In this immediate context, it signifies God "sowing" destruction or "scattering" the house of Jehu and the kingdom of Israel in judgment. However, as the book progresses, the same root will be used to convey God's future act of "sowing" His people back into the land in restoration and blessing, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of divine action.
* **avenge (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** H6485, "to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.; appoint, punish, reckon, visit, want." Here, the verb clearly denotes a hostile visitation, signifying God's act of holding Jehu's dynasty accountable and inflicting punishment. It is not merely about revenge, but about divine justice and the reckoning for actions that, while partially fulfilling God's will, were tainted by human sin, excess, or impure motives.
* **blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** H1818, "that which when shed causes death; bloodshed." This term specifically refers to the violence and massacres carried out by Jehu's dynasty at Jezreel. While Jehu was commanded to destroy Ahab's house, the "blood of Jezreel" implies that the manner of the bloodshed, its excess, or perhaps the shedding of innocent blood beyond the divine mandate, had incurred God's wrath. It highlights the sanctity of life and God's ultimate judgment on unrighteous violence.
* **cause to cease (Hebrew, _shâbath'_):: H7673, "to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away." This powerful verb indicates a definitive and complete termination. In this context, it signifies the forceful cessation and removal of the kingdom of Israel's sovereignty, foreshadowing its imminent collapse and exile at the hands of the Assyrian Empire.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel":** This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the prophecy. God directly commands Hosea to name his first son Jezreel, immediately imbuing the child's very existence and name with prophetic significance, making him a living symbol of God's impending actions.
* **"for yet a little [while], and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu":** This provides the immediate reason for the naming, indicating an imminent divine judgment. God declares that He will hold Jehu's dynasty accountable for the excessive and potentially impurely motivated bloodshed at Jezreel. While Jehu was an instrument of God's judgment against Ahab and Baalism, his actions went beyond righteous zeal, perhaps involving unnecessary cruelty or being driven by personal ambition rather than pure obedience, thus incurring divine displeasure.
* **"and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel":** This final clause reveals the broader, national consequence of Jehu's actions and, more fundamentally, Israel's persistent sin. The judgment on Jehu's house serves as a precursor and a sign of the complete termination of the Northern Kingdom's sovereignty. This prophesies the impending fall of Israel to the Assyrian Empire, marking the end of their independent existence as a kingdom due to their unfaithfulness to God's covenant.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the name "Jezreel" itself becomes a potent symbol for both divine judgment (scattering) and future restoration (sowing), embodying the complex relationship between God and Israel. The naming of Hosea's son transforms him into a **Living Parable** or **Prophetic Sign-Act**, where the prophet's personal life directly illustrates God's message to the nation. **Metonymy** is present in "the blood of Jezreel," which stands for the violent acts and massacres carried out by Jehu's dynasty in that region. The phrase "yet a little while" serves as **Foreshadowing**, indicating the imminence of the prophesied judgment and the approaching end of the Northern Kingdom. Finally, the direct address, "And the LORD said unto him," highlights the **Divine Speech** and **Authoritative Pronouncement** of the prophecy, emphasizing its origin in God Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 1:4 profoundly illustrates God's unyielding commitment to justice and His sovereignty over human history. It reveals that God holds all individuals and nations accountable for their actions, even those who initially serve His purposes. Jehu, though divinely appointed to cleanse Israel of Baal worship, executed his commission with a zeal that seemingly exceeded divine righteousness or was tainted by personal ambition, incurring God's displeasure. This teaches us that motives matter as much as actions in God's eyes, and that even righteous ends do not justify unrighteous means. The impending cessation of Israel's kingdom underscores the severe consequences of persistent covenant unfaithfulness and idolatry, demonstrating that God will ultimately bring an end to any kingdom that rebels against His righteous standards. This verse serves as a stark reminder that divine judgment is a necessary component of God's holy character, paving the way for eventual redemption.

* [2 Kings 10:30](/2_kings/10-30 "God's Promise to Jehu's House")
* [Jeremiah 31:27](/jeremiah/31-27 "God Sowing Israel and Judah")
* [Matthew 23:35](/matthew/23-35 "Accountability for Righteous Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 1:4 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and societies. It reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and holds leaders, and indeed all people, accountable for their actions and the purity of their motives. We are challenged to examine our own obedience: are we serving God with wholehearted devotion, or are our actions, even those seemingly righteous, tainted by self-interest, excessive zeal, or a lack of compassion? The "blood of Jezreel" serves as a sobering warning against the dangers of becoming instruments of God's will without maintaining His character of righteousness, mercy, and justice. Furthermore, the impending judgment on Israel underscores the gravity of persistent sin and rebellion against God's covenant. For us, this means taking seriously our call to live in faithfulness to Christ, acknowledging that disobedience, both individual and corporate, carries significant consequences. Ultimately, this verse calls us to seek God's will not just in the "what" we do, but profoundly in the "how" and "why" we do it, always striving for purity of heart and alignment with His divine character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's judgment on Jehu's house, despite his initial obedience, challenge our understanding of divine justice and human accountability?**
* **In what ways might our own actions, even those intended for good, be tainted by impure motives or excessive zeal, and how can we guard against this?**
* **What lessons can we draw from the cessation of Israel's kingdom regarding the consequences of national apostasy and the importance of covenant faithfulness in our own societies?**

### FAQ

**Why would God avenge the "blood of Jezreel" when He commanded Jehu to destroy Ahab's house?**

Answer: While God indeed commanded Jehu to eradicate the house of Ahab and Baal worship ([2 Kings 9:6-10](/2_kings/9-6-10 "Jehu's Divine Commission")), the issue was not the *act* of judgment itself, but Jehu's *motive* and *manner* in carrying it out. [2 Kings 10:29-31](/2_kings/10-29-31 "Jehu's Failure to Depart from Jeroboam's Sins") indicates that Jehu did not fully turn from the sins of Jeroboam, particularly the golden calves, and "did not take heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart." His zeal may have been driven by personal ambition rather than pure devotion to God. The massacre at Jezreel, while fulfilling a divine decree, was carried out with excessive cruelty, perhaps extending to innocent lives or being performed with a bloodthirsty spirit that transcended God's righteous judgment. God holds even His instruments accountable for their methods and the purity of their hearts, demonstrating that His justice is not merely about outcomes but also about righteousness in process.

**What is the dual meaning of the name Jezreel?**

Answer: The Hebrew name Jezreel (Yizre'el) literally means "God sows." In Hosea 1:4, it primarily signifies God's act of "scattering" or "sowing" destruction upon the house of Jehu and the kingdom of Israel, indicating judgment and dispersion due to their unfaithfulness. However, later in the book, particularly in [Hosea 2:23](/hosea/2-23 "Jezreel as a Name of Hope"), the same name takes on a profoundly positive meaning, promising that God will "sow" His people back into the land in restoration and blessing. This dual meaning highlights God's sovereignty over both judgment and salvation, demonstrating His ultimate redemptive purpose that extends beyond immediate punishment to future hope and reconciliation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 1:4, with its pronouncement of judgment on the house of Jehu and the cessation of the kingdom of Israel, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "blood of Jezreel" points to the pervasive sin, violence, and unrighteousness that permeate human history, ultimately culminating in the need for a perfect sacrifice. Jesus, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), shed His own innocent blood, not to bring judgment upon a specific earthly dynasty, but to atone for the sins of all humanity, offering reconciliation and peace with God. The cessation of the kingdom of Israel foreshadows the end of all earthly kingdoms and the establishment of God's eternal, spiritual kingdom, which Jesus declared is "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")). Through Christ, the scattering implied by "Jezreel" in judgment is reversed, as believers from every tribe and nation are gathered into one body, the Church, becoming the true "Israel of God" ([Galatians 6:16](/galatians/6-16 "The Israel of God")). The "sowing" of judgment transforms into the "sowing" of the gospel message, bringing forth a harvest of righteousness and new life in Christ ([Matthew 13:3-9](/matthew/13-3-9 "The Parable of the Sower")). Thus, the judgment foreshadowed in Hosea 1:4 ultimately gives way to the boundless grace and redemptive power found in Jesus, who brings about a new creation and an everlasting kingdom where justice and mercy perfectly converge.

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

2 Kings 10:7

And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him [them] to Jezreel.

2 Kings 10:8

And there came a messenger, and told him, saying, They have brought the heads of the king's sons. And he said, Lay ye them in two heaps at the entering in of the gate until the morning.

2 Kings 10:10

Know now that there shall fall unto the earth nothing of the word of the LORD, which the LORD spake concerning the house of Ahab: for the LORD hath done [that] which he spake by his servant Elijah.

2 Kings 10:11

So Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests, until he left him none remaining.

Jeremiah 23:2

Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

Hosea 1:9

Then said [God], Call his name Loammi: for ye [are] not my people, and I will not be your [God].

2 Kings 15:29

In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglathpileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abelbethmaachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.