Hosea 2:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will sow {H2232} her unto me in the earth {H776}; and I will have mercy {H7355} upon her that had not obtained mercy {H7355}{H3818}; and I will say {H559} to them which were not my people {H5971}, Thou art my people {H5971}; and they shall say {H559}, Thou art my God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will sow her for me in the land. I will have pity on Lo-Ruchamah [Unpitied]; I will say to Lo-'Ammi [Not-My-People], 'You are my people'; and they will say, 'You are my God.'"

Berean Standard Bible

And I will sow her as My own in the land, and I will have compassion on ‘No Compassion.’ I will say to those called ‘Not My People,’ ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”

American Standard Version

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 that were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 2:23 stands as a profound declaration of divine reversal and restoration, culminating a chapter that vividly portrays Israel's spiritual adultery and the Lord's subsequent judgment and discipline. This verse prophesies a future where God actively re-establishes His people, extending mercy to those who were once denied it, and reinstating a broken covenant relationship, transforming "not my people" into "my people" and eliciting their joyful acknowledgment, "Thou art my God." It is a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and redemptive love, promising new life and an unbreakable bond after a period of estrangement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 2:23 serves as the climactic resolution to the preceding narrative of judgment and restoration in Hosea chapter 2. The chapter begins with God's severe indictment of Israel's spiritual harlotry, likening their idolatry to a wife's infidelity against her husband, Yahweh. Verses 2-13 detail the consequences of this unfaithfulness, including the removal of blessings and a period of desolation, designed to lead Israel back to God. However, from verse 14 onward, the tone shifts dramatically to one of tender wooing and promised restoration. God pledges to allure Israel back into the wilderness, speak tenderly to her, and restore her blessings, including vineyards and the "valley of Achor as a door of hope." The covenant is renewed, and the names of Baal are forgotten. Verse 23, therefore, is the ultimate expression of this restoration, directly reversing the symbolic judgments pronounced earlier in the book through Hosea's children, Lo-Ruhamah ("not having obtained mercy") and Lo-Ammi ("not my people"), declared in [Hosea 1:6](/hosea/1-6 "Hosea 1:6 - Lo-Ruhamah") and [Hosea 1:9](/hosea/1-9 "Hosea 1:9 - Lo-Ammi") respectively.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Hosea is set against the backdrop of the declining Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) in the 8th century BC, a period marked by political instability, social injustice, and rampant syncretistic worship. The people had largely abandoned the covenant with Yahweh, integrating the worship of Baal, the Canaanite storm and fertility god, into their religious practices. This idolatry, often associated with agricultural prosperity, was a direct affront to God's exclusive claim on Israel's worship and loyalty. Hosea's own marriage to Gomer, a prostitute, served as a living parable of Israel's spiritual infidelity to God. The agricultural imagery used throughout Hosea 2, including "sowing" and "harvest," would have been deeply resonant with an agrarian society, making God's promise to "sow her unto me in the earth" a powerful symbol of renewed fertility, divine provision, and a re-establishment of the covenant relationship in the very land where they had strayed.

* **Key Themes:** Hosea 2:23 encapsulates several major theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Hosea and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Unwavering Love**, demonstrating God's ultimate control over history and His persistent love for His unfaithful people, even to the point of initiating their restoration. It powerfully illustrates **Covenant Faithfulness**, not of Israel, but of God Himself, who, despite Israel's breaking of the covenant, remains true to His promises to redeem and restore. The verse also highlights **Mercy Triumphant Over Judgment**, reversing the pronouncements of "Lo-Ruhamah" and "Lo-Ammi" and showcasing God's compassionate nature. Finally, it speaks to the theme of **New Creation and Spiritual Renewal**, where God actively "sows" His people, implying a fresh start, a renewed identity, and a vibrant, reciprocal relationship, echoing the ultimate promise of a new covenant found in [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sow (Hebrew, _zâraʻ_):** This primitive root (H2232) means "to sow," but figuratively extends to "disseminate, plant, fructify." In this context, it signifies God's active, intentional, and life-giving initiative to re-establish Israel. It's not merely a passive return but a divine act of planting and nurturing, promising fruitfulness and a new beginning in the land. This imagery connects to the idea of a new harvest, a new generation, and renewed life under God's care.
* **mercy (Hebrew, _râcham_):** This primitive root (H7355) means "to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate." It denotes a deep, visceral compassion, often associated with a mother's tender affection for her child. The phrase "have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy" is a direct reversal of the symbolic name Lo-Ruhamah, emphasizing God's profound and unmerited compassion that overrides past judgment and unworthiness. It highlights God's sovereign prerogative to extend grace to whom He wills.
* **not my people (Hebrew, _Lôʼ ʻAmmîy_):** This phrase (H3818), derived from "not" and "people" with a pronominal suffix, was the symbolic name given to Hosea's son, signifying Israel's estranged relationship with God due to their idolatry. Its reversal to "my people" (Hebrew, _ʻam_, H5971) in this verse is the most profound theological statement, signifying a complete reconciliation and restoration of the covenant identity. It marks the transformation from alienation to intimate belonging, where God acknowledges them as His own, and they, in turn, acknowledge Him as their exclusive God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will sow her unto me in the earth":** This opening clause uses powerful agricultural imagery. God, the divine farmer, declares His intention to "sow" Israel. This implies an active, purposeful planting, not merely a scattering. The phrase "unto me" emphasizes that this re-establishment is for God's own purposes and glory, signifying a renewed relationship where Israel belongs to Him. "In the earth" indicates a physical restoration to their land, but also a spiritual re-rooting, promising fruitfulness and stability after a period of barrenness and dispersion.
* **"and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy":** This clause is a direct and compassionate reversal of the judgment symbolized by Lo-Ruhamah (Hosea 1:6). It underscores God's sovereign and unconditional grace. Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, which led to a withdrawal of divine favor, God's deep compassion (râcham) compels Him to extend mercy where it was previously withheld. This highlights that God's mercy is not earned but freely given, demonstrating His enduring love and willingness to forgive and restore even the most estranged.
* **"and I will say to [them which were] not my people, Thou [art] my people; and they shall say, [Thou art] my God.":** This is the heart of the covenant renewal, directly reversing the symbolic name Lo-Ammi (Hosea 1:9). It is a two-fold declaration of reconciliation. First, God initiates the restoration by unilaterally declaring, "Thou art my people," re-establishing their identity and belonging. Second, the restored people respond in joyful affirmation, "Thou art my God," signifying their renewed allegiance, exclusive worship, and intimate relationship with Yahweh. This reciprocal acknowledgment fulfills the deepest longing of the covenant: a perfect, unbroken communion between God and His chosen people.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 2:23 is rich in literary devices that amplify its profound message. The most prominent is **Agricultural Metaphor**, seen in the phrase "I will sow her unto me in the earth." This imagery evokes ideas of cultivation, growth, and fruitfulness, transforming Israel from a scattered, barren entity into a thriving plant under God's nurturing care. This metaphor powerfully conveys the idea of new life and divine provision. Another key device is **Antithesis** or **Reversal**, which is central to the verse's meaning. It directly contrasts the previous states of "not having obtained mercy" and "not my people" with the future states of "I will have mercy" and "Thou art my people." This dramatic reversal highlights God's transformative power and His ability to turn judgment into grace, alienation into intimacy. Finally, the verse employs a **Covenant Formula** in the concluding declaration: "Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God." This echoes the ancient covenantal language found throughout Scripture (e.g., [Leviticus 26:12](/leviticus/26-12 "Leviticus 26:12 - God's Covenant Promise")) and signifies the re-establishment of a perfect, reciprocal relationship between God and His people, where both parties recognize and affirm their bond.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 2:23 is a cornerstone passage for understanding God's redemptive character and the nature of His covenant. It profoundly reveals that God's faithfulness is not contingent upon human performance, but flows from His intrinsic nature of love and mercy. Even when His people are utterly unfaithful, breaking the covenant through idolatry and rebellion, God's ultimate purpose is not annihilation but restoration. This verse demonstrates God's sovereign power to reverse judgment, transforming a state of alienation and spiritual barrenness into one of intimate relationship and spiritual fruitfulness. It underscores the truth that true identity and belonging are gifts of divine grace, not human achievement. The prophecy, while initially directed at Israel, carries universal implications for all who are brought into covenant relationship with God.

* [Romans 9:25-26](/romans/9-25-26 "Romans 9:25-26 - Paul's Application of Hosea")
* [1 Peter 2:10](/1_peter/2-10 "1 Peter 2:10 - Peter's Application of Hosea")
* [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Promise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 2:23 offers immense comfort and profound challenge for believers today. It reminds us that our identity as "people of God" is not earned through our own merit or faithfulness, but is a gracious gift from a merciful God. Just as Israel was restored despite her spiritual adultery, so too does God extend His transforming mercy to us, even in our failures and wanderings. This verse calls us to recognize the depth of God's love that pursues us, even when we are "not His people," and to respond with wholehearted devotion, declaring Him to be "our God." It assures us that no past sin or present struggle can ultimately separate us from God's redemptive purpose if we turn to Him. We are invited to live in the reality of this restored relationship, trusting in His ongoing work of sowing and nurturing new life within us, and embracing our true identity as His beloved children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you felt like "Lo-Ruhamah" (not having obtained mercy) or "Lo-Ammi" (not my people), and how does Hosea 2:23 speak to those feelings?**
* **How does God's initiative in "sowing" and extending mercy challenge your understanding of earning God's favor versus receiving His grace?**
* **What does it mean for you, practically, to say "Thou art my God" in response to God's declaration, "Thou art my people"?**

### FAQ
**Does Hosea 2:23 only apply to ancient Israel, or does it have a broader application?**

Answer: While Hosea 2:23 was originally a prophecy concerning the restoration of the nation of Israel after their period of judgment and exile, its theological implications extend far beyond. The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, explicitly applies this passage to the inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant family through Christ in [Romans 9:25-26](/romans/9-25-26 "Romans 9:25-26 - Paul's Use of Hosea"). Similarly, Peter uses this language in [1 Peter 2:10](/1_peter/2-10 "1 Peter 2:10 - Peter's Application of Hosea") to describe the spiritual transformation of all believers, both Jew and Gentile, who "once were not a people but are now the people of God." Therefore, Hosea 2:23 has a profound and universal application, demonstrating God's redemptive plan to bring all who believe into a saving relationship with Himself, regardless of their prior spiritual status.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 2:23 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The reversal of "Lo-Ruhamah" and "Lo-Ammi" is fully realized through the new covenant established by Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. Through His atoning work on the cross, Jesus became the means by which God's boundless mercy (râcham) is poured out upon humanity, making it possible for those who "had not obtained mercy" to now receive it in abundance. He is the "seed" sown into the earth, dying to bring forth much fruit, and through Him, God "sows" a new people unto Himself, comprised of both Jew and Gentile ([John 12:24](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - The Grain of Wheat")). The declaration, "Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God," is perfectly embodied in the church, the body of Christ, where believers from every nation, tribe, and tongue are united as God's chosen people ([Ephesians 2:11-22](/ephesians/2-11-22 "Ephesians 2:11-22 - One New Humanity in Christ")). Those who were once "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world," are now, "in Christ Jesus, made nigh by the blood of Christ" ([Ephesians 2:12-13](/ephesians/2-12-13 "Ephesians 2:12-13 - Made Nigh by Christ")). Thus, Christ is the ultimate expression of God's redemptive love, transforming the estranged into the beloved, and establishing an eternal covenant where God is truly our God, and we are truly His people, forever united in Him ([Hebrews 8:10-12](/hebrews/8-10-12 "Hebrews 8:10-12 - The New Covenant in Christ")).

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

Romans 9:25

¶ As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

Romans 9:26

And it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

1 Peter 2:9

But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

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.

Zechariah 13:9

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God.

Hosea 1:9

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

Hosea 1:10

Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people, [there] it shall be said unto them, [Ye are] the sons of the living God.