2:21 2:21

Hosea 2:22

2:23 2:23

Bible Versions

And the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil; and they shall hear Jezreel.
And the earth {H776} shall hear {H6030} the corn {H1715}, and the wine {H8492}, and the oil {H3323}; and they shall hear {H6030} Jezreel {H3157}.
the earth will answer the corn, wine and oil, and they will answer Yizre'el [God will sow].
And the earth will respond to the grain, to the new wine and oil, and they will respond to Jezreel.
and the earth shall answer the grain, and the new wine, and the oil; and they shall answer Jezreel.

Hosea 2:22 is a powerful verse of hope and restoration, painting a vivid picture of divine provision and the reversal of Israel's fortunes. It comes after a period of promised judgment and exile, offering a glimpse into God's ultimate plan for reconciliation and blessing for His people.

Context of Hosea 2:22

This verse is part of a larger prophetic section (Hosea 2:14-23) where God, through the prophet Hosea, describes His intention to woo Israel back after her spiritual infidelity. Having previously threatened to remove His blessings and devastate the land due to Israel's idolatry and reliance on foreign gods (Hosea 2:8-13), God now promises a profound restoration. The preceding verse, Hosea 2:21, establishes a chain of divine response: God answers the heavens, the heavens answer the earth, and here, the earth answers the essential agricultural produce. This signifies a reversal of the curses of drought and famine, promising abundant harvests as a sign of God's renewed covenant with His people.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision and Abundance: The verse highlights God's direct involvement in providing for the physical needs of His people. "Corn, wine, and oil" represent the staple crops and economic prosperity of ancient Israel, symbolizing complete material blessing and sustenance. This contrasts sharply with the barrenness threatened earlier in the book.
  • Covenant Renewal and Fertility: The imagery of the earth responding to the produce, and the produce responding to Jezreel, illustrates a harmonious relationship between God, creation, and His people. It signifies the restoration of the covenant blessings, including agricultural fertility and general prosperity, as promised in passages like Deuteronomy 28:12.
  • Reversal of Judgment: The name "Jezreel" holds a profound double meaning in Hosea. Initially, in Hosea 1:4, it was a name signifying God's judgment and scattering of the northern kingdom. Here, however, it is transformed. The earth and its produce "hearing" Jezreel indicates the restoration of the land and the people, now gathered and blessed by God.

Linguistic Insight: The Significance of "Jezreel"

The name "Jezreel" (יִזְרְעֶאל, Yizre'el) is central to understanding this verse. It literally means "God sows" or "God scatters." In Hosea 1, it primarily refers to God's act of scattering Israel in judgment. However, in this chapter, particularly in Hosea 2:23, the meaning shifts to "God sows for Himself." This transformation implies that God will no longer scatter His people in judgment but will "sow" them in the land for blessing, growth, and prosperity. The verse suggests that the very land and its produce will acknowledge and respond to this restored people, now seen as a fertile seed sown by God.

Practical Application

Hosea 2:22 offers timeless lessons about God's character and His relationship with humanity:

  • Hope in Restoration: Even after periods of unfaithfulness or hardship, God is faithful to His promises and capable of bringing profound restoration. This verse reminds us that God's ultimate desire is to bless and renew.
  • Interconnectedness of Creation: The imagery of the earth hearing the produce, and the produce hearing Jezreel, speaks to the divine order and the interconnectedness of all creation under God's sovereignty. When humanity is in right relationship with God, even the physical world flourishes.
  • God's Transforming Power: The transformation of "Jezreel" from a symbol of judgment to one of blessing is a powerful metaphor for God's ability to redeem and transform individuals and nations. It assures us that past failures do not preclude future blessings if there is repentance and return to God. This verse encourages us to trust in God's power to bring about a spiritual and physical harvest in our lives.
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.

  • 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.

  • Joel 2:19

    Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

  • Hosea 1:11

    Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great [shall be] the day of Jezreel.

  • Jeremiah 31:12

    Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
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