Hosea 1:4

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.

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}.

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.

Then the LORD said to Hosea, โ€œName 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.

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

Hosea 1:4 introduces the first of three symbolic names given to the prophet Hosea's children, each serving as a powerful prophetic message to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This verse specifically names Hosea's first son Jezreel, a name laden with both historical judgment and future hope.

Context of Hosea 1:4

The prophet Hosea ministered during a tumultuous period in the Northern Kingdom (Israel or Ephraim), characterized by spiritual apostasy, political instability, and moral decay. The nation had continually turned away from God, engaging in idolatry and breaking their covenant. God uses Hosea's family life as a living parable to illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness and God's impending judgment, as well as His enduring love and promise of restoration.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment on the House of Jehu: The primary message of this verse is God's impending judgment upon the dynasty of King Jehu. While Jehu was divinely appointed to destroy the wicked house of Ahab and Baal worship (see 2 Kings 9 and 2 Kings 10), his actions, particularly the massacre at Jezreel, were carried out with excessive zeal and likely for personal gain rather than pure obedience to God. God avenges the "blood of Jezreel" not because Jehu killed Ahab's family (which was commanded), but because of the manner, motive, or perhaps the blood of innocents shed beyond the divine mandate.
  • Cessation of the Kingdom of Israel: The verse also prophesies the end of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which would ultimately fall to the Assyrian Empire. This signifies the removal of their sovereignty and a period of exile due to their persistent sin and rebellion against God. This judgment was nearing, indicating the rapid decline of the nation.
  • Symbolic Naming: The name Jezreel (Hebrew: ื™ึดื–ึฐืจึฐืขึถืืœ, Yizre'el) literally means "God scatters" or "God sows." In this immediate context, it signifies God scattering Israel in judgment and bringing an end to the Jehu dynasty. However, the name also holds a future promise of hope, where God will "sow" His people in the land again in restoration, highlighting God's ultimate plan for redemption beyond judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The name Jezreel is highly significant. While it directly references the historical plain where Jehu carried out his bloody purge, its root meaning, "God sows" or "God scatters," provides a dual prophecy. Here, it is primarily about God scattering His people in judgment and avenging the blood shed, emphasizing the punitive aspect. Yet, the same word later carries a promise of future restoration, where God will "sow" His people in blessing, demonstrating the multi-faceted nature of God's justice and grace.

Practical Application

Hosea 1:4 reminds us that God is sovereign over nations and holds leaders accountable for their actions, even those who initially served His purpose. It underscores the principle that motives matter; actions, even seemingly righteous ones, can incur divine displeasure if driven by selfish ambition or excessive cruelty. Furthermore, it highlights God's justice in bringing judgment upon persistent sin, yet also subtly foreshadows His ultimate redemptive plan, where judgment paves the way for a future hope and a new covenant.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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