Hosea 1:6

KJV

And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And [God] said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away.

KJV (with Strong's)

And she conceived again {H2029}, and bare {H3205} a daughter {H1323}. And God said {H559} unto him, Call {H7121} her name {H8034} Loruhamah {H3819}: for I will no more {H3254} have mercy {H7355} upon the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478}; but I will utterly {H5375} take them away {H5375}.

Complete Jewish Bible

She conceived again and bore a daughter. ADONAI said to him, "Name her Lo-Ruchamah [unpitied], for I will no longer have pity on the house of Isra'el. By no means will I forgive them.

Berean Standard Bible

Gomer again conceived and gave birth to a daughter, and the LORD said to Hosea, “Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel, that I should ever forgive them.

American Standard Version

And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And Jehovah said unto him, Call her name Lo-ruhamah; for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel, that I should in any wise pardon them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 1:6 marks a profound and somber declaration of divine judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, symbolized by the naming of Hosea's second child, a daughter, as Loruhamah. This name, meaning "not pitied" or "no mercy," signifies God's temporary withdrawal of compassion and the impending, utter removal of Israel from their land due to their persistent spiritual adultery and covenant unfaithfulness. It serves as a stark prophetic sign of the devastating consequences of national rebellion against the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded in the opening chapter of Hosea, which establishes the prophet's marriage to Gomer, a woman of harlotry, as a living parable of God's relationship with unfaithful Israel. Following the birth and naming of their first son, Jezreel, whose name foreshadowed divine retribution upon the house of Jehu and the nation's impending dispersion ([Hosea 1:4](/hosea/1-4 "Hosea 1:4 - The Judgment of Jezreel")), the narrative progresses to the conception and birth of a daughter. The naming of Loruhamah directly from God's command to Hosea intensifies the prophetic message, moving from a specific judgment on a dynasty to a broader, more severe declaration of the withdrawal of divine mercy from the entire Northern Kingdom. This progression underscores the escalating nature of God's righteous indignation in response to Israel's continued apostasy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during a turbulent period in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim), spanning the reigns of several kings, from Jeroboam II's prosperity to the rapid succession of unstable rulers leading up to the Assyrian conquest. This era was characterized by rampant idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal, syncretism with Canaanite religious practices, social injustice, and political instability. Israel had consistently broken the Mosaic covenant, turning away from Yahweh, their covenant Lord, to pursue foreign gods and alliances. Symbolic naming was a common cultural practice in ancient Israel, where names often conveyed a person's character, destiny, or a significant event. God's command to name Hosea's children with such poignant names like Loruhamah would have been a profoundly shocking and clear prophetic sign to a people steeped in this cultural tradition, signifying the imminent and severe judgment that would culminate in the [Assyrian exile](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - The Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Captivity") in 722 BC.
* **Key Themes:** Hosea 1:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Hosea. It highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Withdrawal of Mercy**, illustrating God's righteous response to persistent sin, where His long-suffering patience reaches a point of necessary punitive action. The name Loruhamah itself embodies this withdrawal, signaling a period when God would no longer extend the tender compassion He had historically shown His people. This verse also reinforces the theme of **Symbolic Naming as Prophecy**, where the prophet's own family becomes a living, walking sermon, making God's message tangible and unavoidable for the people. Furthermore, it underscores the tragic consequences of **Covenant Unfaithfulness**, demonstrating how Israel's spiritual adultery, depicted by Gomer's harlotry, inevitably leads to the fracturing of their relationship with God and the removal of His protective hand, foreshadowing the [exile and dispersion](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Dispersion Among the Nations") that would follow.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Loruhamah (Hebrew, _Lôʼ Ruchâmâh'_):** This symbolic name, meaning "not pitied" or "no mercy," is a compound of the negative particle `לֹא` (`loʼ`, "no, not") and `רֻחָמָה` (`ruchâmâh`), the passive participle of the verb `רָחַם` (`râcham`, H7355). The root `râcham` conveys deep, tender compassion, often likened to a mother's womb-love or pity. The negation of this deep, inherent mercy highlights the extreme gravity of God's declaration, signifying a temporary but complete cessation of His usual compassion towards Israel due to their utter spiritual rebellion.
* **mercy (Hebrew, _râcham'_):** As mentioned above, `râcham` (H7355) is a primitive root meaning "to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate." It speaks to a profound, visceral, and often maternal form of pity or compassion. In this context, God's declaration that He will "no more have mercy" signifies the withdrawal of this deep, covenantal compassion, which had been the hallmark of His relationship with Israel since their deliverance from Egypt. This withdrawal is not arbitrary but a just response to Israel's persistent and unrepentant unfaithfulness.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** The word `bayith` (H1004) is a versatile term, primarily meaning "a house," but extending to "family," "household," or even "temple." In the phrase "house of Israel," it denotes the entire nation, particularly the Northern Kingdom, viewed as a collective family or lineage descended from Jacob (Israel). The judgment is therefore not merely upon individuals but upon the entire corporate entity that had been chosen by God as His special possession, emphasizing the national scope of their spiritual failure and the ensuing divine consequence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she conceived again, and bare a daughter."**: This clause continues the narrative of Hosea's family, emphasizing the natural progression of Gomer's pregnancies. The birth of a daughter, distinct from the first son, sets the stage for a new, equally significant prophetic naming that will carry a different, yet related, message of judgment.
* **"And [God] said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah:"**: This is a direct divine command to Hosea, underscoring that the naming is not arbitrary but a specific, God-ordained prophetic act. The name Loruhamah is explicitly given by God, making it a divine pronouncement of His disposition towards Israel.
* **"for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel;"**: This is the theological core of the verse, explaining the meaning and purpose behind the name Loruhamah. God declares a cessation of His mercy towards the Northern Kingdom ("the house of Israel"). This signifies a turning point where divine patience has been exhausted, and the consequences of covenant breaking will no longer be averted by His compassion.
* **"but I will utterly take them away."**: This climactic phrase describes the concrete outcome of God's withdrawal of mercy. The Hebrew verb `nâsâʼ` (H5375), translated "take them away," can mean to lift, carry, or remove. Coupled with "utterly," it conveys a complete and decisive removal, pointing directly to the impending Assyrian exile which would see the people dispossessed from their land and scattered, effectively "taken away" from their national identity and homeland.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 1:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message. **Symbolism** is central, as the naming of Hosea's daughter, Loruhamah, directly symbolizes God's withdrawal of mercy from Israel. Her very existence and name become a living, walking sign of the nation's spiritual state and impending doom. This is an example of **Prophetic Action**, where the prophet's personal life and family serve as a dramatic, tangible illustration of God's message, making the abstract concept of divine judgment concrete and unavoidable for the audience. Furthermore, the phrase "I will utterly take them away" uses **Intensification** (often bordering on hyperbole, though here it refers to a real, devastating event) to emphasize the completeness and finality of the impending judgment. The repetition of the root `nâsâʼ` (H5375) in the Hebrew ("utterly take them away") further stresses the decisive nature of this divine act, leaving no doubt about the severity of the consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 1:6 is a pivotal statement on divine justice and the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness, yet it is crucial to understand it within the broader biblical narrative of God's character and redemptive plan. While God declares a temporary cessation of mercy and promises to "utterly take them away," this severe judgment is never God's final word. Throughout the prophetic literature, even amidst pronouncements of judgment, there is often an underlying current of hope for future restoration, rooted in God's unchanging covenant faithfulness, despite His people's infidelity. This tension between judgment and ultimate mercy is a hallmark of God's dealings with Israel, demonstrating that His discipline is often a means to bring about repentance and eventual reconciliation, rather than mere punitive destruction.

* [Hosea 2:23](/hosea/2-23 "Hosea 2:23 - God's Future Restoration of Israel")
* [Romans 9:25](/romans/9-25 "Romans 9:25 - Paul Quotes Hosea on God's Mercy for Gentiles")
* [Lamentations 3:31-32](/lamentations/3-31-32 "Lamentations 3:31-32 - God's Enduring Compassion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 1:6 stands as a sobering reminder that while God is infinitely patient and rich in mercy, His justice is equally real. There comes a point when persistent, unrepentant rebellion against His covenant and His commands necessitates a withdrawal of His protective and compassionate hand. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives: are we living in faithful obedience to God's revealed will, or are we, like ancient Israel, pursuing idols of our own making, whether they be material possessions, worldly approval, or self-sufficiency? The "utter taking away" for Israel was a physical exile, but for us, it can manifest as spiritual barrenness, a sense of distance from God, or the natural consequences of our choices. However, the broader context of Hosea, and indeed the entire biblical narrative, assures us that God's ultimate desire is not destruction but restoration. This verse, therefore, calls us to humility, repentance, and a renewed commitment to walking in faithfulness, trusting that even in discipline, God's heart yearns for our return and His mercy is ultimately triumphant for those who turn to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be taking God's mercy for granted, or exhibiting "spiritual adultery" by prioritizing other things above my relationship with Him?**
* **How does understanding God's righteous judgment, as seen in Loruhamah, deepen my appreciation for His enduring patience and ultimate mercy?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a heart of greater faithfulness and obedience to God, ensuring I remain within the sphere of His active compassion?**

### FAQ
**Was God's withdrawal of mercy in Hosea 1:6 permanent?**

Answer: No, God's withdrawal of mercy, symbolized by the name Loruhamah, was not permanent. While the immediate judgment was severe and led to the Assyrian exile, the book of Hosea itself, particularly in later chapters, speaks of a future restoration and renewed mercy for Israel. For example, [Hosea 2:23](/hosea/2-23 "Hosea 2:23 - God's Promise of Restoration") explicitly states, "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." This demonstrates that God's ultimate character is one of enduring love and faithfulness, even when His justice demands temporary discipline. The New Testament confirms this ultimate restoration, as seen in [Romans 11](/romans/11 "Romans 11 - God's Plan for Israel and the Gentiles"), where Paul discusses God's ongoing plan for Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 1:6, with its stark declaration of "no mercy" and the "utter taking away" of Israel, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a permanent abandonment, but in the ultimate demonstration of God's mercy through the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Israel's unfaithfulness led to a deserved withdrawal of divine compassion, God's ultimate solution to humanity's sin and rebellion was to send His Son. On the cross, Jesus became the one who was "not pitied" in our place, bearing the full weight of God's righteous judgment against sin, so that those who believe might receive the very mercy that was withheld from ancient Israel. The New Covenant, established through Christ's blood, offers a new and living way to receive God's compassion and be called "my people" ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The Superiority of the New Covenant")). Through Christ, the "house of Israel" (both physical descendants and spiritual heirs, the church) can once again draw near to God, not based on their own merit or faithfulness, but on the boundless grace extended through the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The temporary "no mercy" of Hosea 1:6 ultimately gives way to the eternal, overflowing mercy found in Christ, who ensures that all who are in Him are eternally "pitied" and brought into God's everlasting family ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Mercy and Grace")).

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

1 Peter 2:10

Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Hosea 2:23

And 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.

Hosea 2:4

And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they [be] the children of whoredoms.

2 Kings 17:6

In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

Isaiah 27:11

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, [and] set them on fire: for it [is] a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Hosea 9:15

All their wickedness [is] in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes [are] revolters.

Hosea 9:17

My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him: and they shall be wanderers among the nations.