Hosea 1:7

But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

But I will have mercy {H7355} upon the house {H1004} of Judah {H3063}, and will save {H3467} them by the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}, and will not save {H3467} them by bow {H7198}, nor by sword {H2719}, nor by battle {H4421}, by horses {H5483}, nor by horsemen {H6571}.

But I will pity the house of Y'hudah; I will save them not by bow, sword, battle, horses or cavalry, but by ADONAI their God."

Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will save them—not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry, but by the LORD their God.”

But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by Jehovah their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen.

Hosea 1:7 delivers a powerful message of divine distinction and sovereign salvation amidst the prophet's initial pronouncements of judgment. This verse focuses specifically on the "house of Judah," the southern kingdom, offering a stark contrast to the fate described for the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) in the preceding verses.

Context

The prophet Hosea's ministry spanned a tumultuous period in Israel's history, marked by moral decay and political instability, particularly in the Northern Kingdom. God commanded Hosea to marry an unfaithful woman, Gomer, as a living parable of Israel's spiritual adultery against Him. The names of their children (Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah, and Lo-Ammi) symbolize God's impending judgment on Israel. However, Hosea 1:7 pivots, offering a ray of hope and a promise of mercy specifically to the house of Judah, the kingdom from which the Davidic line would continue.

Key Themes

  • God's Unilateral Mercy: The phrase "But I will have mercy" highlights God's compassionate nature and His sovereign choice to extend grace. This mercy is not earned but freely given, demonstrating His enduring covenant faithfulness, especially to the Davidic line.
  • Divine Salvation, Not Human Might: The central message of the verse is that Judah's salvation would come directly "by the LORD their God," emphatically stating it would not be achieved through human military strength—"not by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen." This underscores a fundamental principle of biblical faith: true deliverance comes from God alone, not from worldly power or strategic advantage. This echoes sentiments found in Psalm 33:16, which states that a king is not saved by the multitude of an host.
  • Distinction Between Israel and Judah: While Israel faced immediate and severe judgment leading to Assyrian captivity (symbolized by Lo-Ruhamah and Lo-Ammi), Judah was promised a different path. Though Judah would also face trials and eventual exile, God's promise of mercy here foreshadows their ultimate preservation and the continuation of the messianic line through them.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "mercy" here is racham (רָחַם), which signifies deep, maternal compassion and tender affection. It’s a powerful term indicating God's profound emotional connection and commitment to His people, going beyond mere pity to active, saving love. The word for "save" is yasha (יָשַׁע), meaning to deliver, help, or grant victory. This highlights God's active intervention as the sole source of Judah's deliverance, emphasizing that their rescue would be a divine act, not a human military triumph.

Practical Application

Hosea 1:7 serves as a timeless reminder that our ultimate security and salvation come from God, not from our own resources, strategies, or power. In an age where we often rely on financial stability, political influence, or personal strength, this verse calls us to shift our dependence entirely to the Lord. It encourages us to trust in God's compassionate intervention, knowing that His methods of salvation often transcend and even contradict human expectations. Just as God saved Judah by His own hand, so too does He work in our lives, often in ways that defy conventional wisdom, proving that it is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 4:6

    Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Isaiah 12:2

    Behold, God [is] my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH [is] my strength and [my] song; he also is become my salvation.

  • 2 Kings 19:35

    ¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.

  • Psalms 44:3

    For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.

  • Psalms 44:6

    For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

  • Isaiah 7:14

    Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  • Hosea 11:12

    Ephraim compasseth me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back