Hosea 3:3

And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for [another] man: so [will] I also [be] for thee.

And I said ^{H559} unto her, Thou shalt abide ^{H3427} for me many ^{H7227} days ^{H3117}; thou shalt not play the harlot ^{H2181}, and thou shalt not be ^{H1961} for another man ^{H376}: so will I also be for thee.

Then I told her, "You are to remain in seclusion for a long time and be mine. You are not to be a prostitute, and you are not to be with any other man; and I won't come in to have sex with you either."

Then I said to her, “You must live with me for many days; you must not be promiscuous or belong to another, and I will do the same for you.”

and I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be any man’s wife: so will I also be toward thee.

Commentary on Hosea 3:3 KJV

Hosea 3:3 records the prophet Hosea's instruction to his unfaithful wife, Gomer, after he has redeemed her. This deeply symbolic act, commanded by God, mirrors the Lord's enduring, yet often challenging, relationship with His people, Israel, who had repeatedly turned away to idolatry and spiritual adultery.

Context

The book of Hosea uses the prophet's tumultuous marriage to Gomer as a living parable for God's covenant relationship with Israel. After Gomer's repeated unfaithfulness and descent into slavery or prostitution, God commands Hosea to "love an adulteress" (Hosea 3:1), symbolizing God's persistent love for His wayward nation. This verse follows Hosea's act of buying her back, setting the terms for her restoration within their marriage. It represents God's intention to bring Israel back to Himself, requiring a period of separation from their idols and a return to exclusive devotion before full reconciliation. This "many days" period signifies a time of discipline, purification, and waiting, during which Israel would be without king, prince, sacrifice, or idols, learning to lean solely on God (see Hosea 3:4).

Key Themes

Covenant Faithfulness and Restoration: The core message is God's unwavering desire for Israel's exclusive devotion. Hosea's command to Gomer, "Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man," directly reflects God's demand for Israel to cease their spiritual idolatry and return to Him alone. God, like Hosea, promises His reciprocal faithfulness ("so will I also be for thee") once His people genuinely turn back, showcasing His enduring love and covenant commitment.
Divine Patience and Discipline: The phrase "many days" highlights God's patient yet firm hand in disciplining His people. It's a necessary period of separation and purification designed to lead to true repentance, much like the wilderness wanderings for ancient Israel. This is not punitive abandonment but a loving discipline intended to bring about a change of heart and renewed loyalty.
Repentance and Reconciliation: The instruction implies a call to genuine repentance – a complete turning away from spiritual promiscuity and embracing exclusive devotion to the Lord. God’s promise to "also be for thee" hinges on this transformation, demonstrating that true reconciliation requires a sincere change of heart and behavior, leading to a restored relationship.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "abide for me" (tēšəḇî lî) suggests more than just physical presence; it implies dwelling, remaining, or sitting exclusively *for* Hosea. It denotes a commitment to a singular, exclusive relationship, a profound waiting and devotion.
"Play the harlot" (tiznî) and "another man" (lᵉ'îš) are direct references to sexual infidelity. However, in the prophetic context of Hosea, these terms primarily signify Israel's spiritual idolatry – worshipping other gods and forming alliances contrary to Yahweh's will. This spiritual adultery is a recurring metaphor in the Old Testament, representing the breaking of the sacred covenant relationship with God.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering love and faithfulness, even when we are unfaithful. He calls us to exclusive devotion, and while He may allow periods of discipline or "waiting" in our lives, His ultimate desire is for our restoration and reconciliation.

For believers today, it underscores the importance of spiritual purity and avoiding anything that would compromise our relationship with God. It encourages patience and trust during times of spiritual barrenness or discipline, knowing that God is working to draw us closer to Him. It also speaks to the true nature of repentance: it is not merely expressing sorrow for sin, but a committed turning away from sinful ways and a renewed, exclusive faithfulness to God. Our relationship with God, like a marriage, thrives on loyalty and devotion.

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.

Deuteronomy 21:13

And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.