And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find [them]: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then [was it] better with me than now.
And she shall follow {H7291} after her lovers {H157}, but she shall not overtake {H5381} them; and she shall seek {H1245} them, but shall not find {H4672} them: then shall she say {H559}, I will go {H3212} and return {H7725} to my first {H7223} husband {H376}; for then was it better {H2896} with me than now {H6258}.
She will pursue her lovers but not catch them. She will seek them but won't find them. Then she will say, 'I will go and return to my first husband; because things were better for me then than they are now.'
She will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’
And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.
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Jeremiah 2:2
Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land [that was] not sown. -
Hosea 5:13
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah [saw] his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound. -
Luke 15:17
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! -
Luke 15:20
And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. -
Hosea 13:6
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. -
Ezekiel 23:4
And the names of them [were] Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus [were] their names; Samaria [is] Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah. -
Jeremiah 14:22
Are there [any] among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? [art] not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these [things].
Hosea 2:7 powerfully illustrates the consequences of spiritual infidelity and the path back to divine relationship. This verse is part of a larger prophetic message where God, through the prophet Hosea, uses the metaphor of an unfaithful marriage to depict His covenant relationship with Israel.
Context
The Book of Hosea primarily addresses the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) during a period of significant spiritual decline, political instability, and rampant idolatry. God portrays Himself as the faithful husband, and Israel as His unfaithful wife, Gomer, who has chased after "lovers" (false gods, foreign alliances, and worldly pursuits). Chapter 2 specifically describes God's judgment designed not for destruction, but to bring Israel to repentance and back to Him. The verses immediately preceding Hosea 2:7 detail how God would block her path and hedge her way with thorns to prevent her from reaching her lovers, so she would recognize their inability to provide for her and thus be compelled to return.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew word for "lovers" is 'ahabim (אֹהֲבִים), which literally means "those who love" or "loved ones." In this context, it refers to the pagan deities and foreign nations Israel sought alliances with, hoping for prosperity and protection. The stark contrast is with "my first husband" ('ishah harishon - אִישָׁהּ הָרִאשׁוֹן), referring to Yahweh, emphasizing the original, sacred covenant relationship established at Sinai. The phrase "better with me than now" (Hebrew: tov li az me'atah) vividly captures Israel's realization of the superior blessings, peace, and security found in their fidelity to God, compared to the current distress caused by their rebellion.
Practical Application
Hosea 2:7 offers timeless insights for believers today. We can easily fall into "spiritual adultery" by seeking satisfaction, security, or identity in worldly pursuits—careers, possessions, relationships, or even self-righteousness—instead of in God alone. This verse reminds us that such pursuits are ultimately unfulfilling and will lead to spiritual emptiness and distress. It calls us to examine our own hearts and priorities: where do we truly seek our provision and joy? When we experience dissatisfaction or hardship, it can be God's loving discipline, prompting us to remember the richness of His presence and to draw near to Him, our true "first husband." The pathway back is repentance, acknowledging that life in fellowship with God is indeed "better than now."