from לֹא and רָחַם; not pitied; Lo-Ruchamah, the symbolic name of a son of Hosea; Lo-ruhamah.
Transliteration:Lôʼ Ruchâmâh
Pronunciation:lo roo-khaw-maw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew phrase לֹא רֻחָמָה (Lôʼ Ruchâmâh, `{{H3819}}`) is a composite term derived from the negative particle לֹא (lo, `{{H3808}}`), meaning "not" or "no," and רֻחָמָה (ruchamah), the Qal passive participle feminine singular of the verb רָחַם (racham, `{{H7355}}`). The root רָחַם fundamentally signifies "to have compassion, to show mercy, to pity," often linked to the concept of the womb (רֶחֶם, rechem, `{{H7358}}`), denoting a deep, visceral, and tender affection. Therefore, לֹא רֻחָמָה literally translates to "not pitied," "unpitied," or "she who has not received compassion." The passive voice is crucial, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the lack of pity, rather than the one withholding it. This conveys a state of being deprived of divine mercy and tender affection.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The name לֹא רֻחָמָה appears exclusively in the book of Hosea, serving as a profoundly symbolic name for the second child born to the prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer.
* [[Hosea 1:6]]: "And she conceived again and bore a daughter. And the LORD said to him, 'Call her name Lo-Ruhamah, for I will no longer have pity on the house of Israel, to forgive them at all.'" Here, the name directly signifies God's temporary withdrawal of compassion from the northern kingdom of Israel due to their persistent idolatry and covenant infidelity. It represents a period of divine judgment where mercy is withheld, indicating the severity of their sin and its consequences.
* [[Hosea 1:8]]: "When she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son." This verse simply notes the birth of the next child, Lo-Ammi, maintaining the sequence of symbolic naming.
The naming of Lo-Ruhamah is a prophetic act, a living parable illustrating God's relationship with His unfaithful people. It underscores the consequences of breaking the covenant and the temporary suspension of divine favor. However, it is vital to note that this judgment is not final. The prophecy later hints at a future restoration, where "Lo-Ruhamah" will again become "Ruchamah" (pitied) (cf. [[Hosea 2:1]], [[Hosea 2:23]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of לֹא רֻחָמָה is enriched by examining its constituent parts and related terms:
* לֹא (lo, `{{H3808}}`): The common Hebrew negative particle, which here intensifies the absence of pity.
* רָחַם (racham, `{{H7355}}`): The verbal root from which רֻחָמָה is derived. This root is central to the biblical concept of divine compassion, mercy, and tender love, often associated with the deep affection a parent has for a child or the empathy born from a shared experience.
* רַחֲמִים (rachamim, `{{H7356}}`): The plural noun derived from רָחַם, meaning "mercies" or "compassion." It frequently describes God's character as "abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" ([[Psalm 103:8]]).
* לֹא עַמִּי (Lo-Ammi, `{{H3818}}`): "Not My People," the name of Hosea's third child, which further emphasizes God's temporary disowning of Israel due to their rebellion, serving as a parallel and escalating judgment to Lo-Ruhamah.
* יִזְרְעֶאל (Yizre'el, `{{H3157}}`): "God Sows" or "God Scatters," the name of Hosea's first child, symbolizing both judgment (scattering) and future restoration (sowing).
These related terms highlight the tension between God's inherent compassion and His righteous judgment, a recurring theme in prophetic literature.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of לֹא רֻחָמָה is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Divine Justice and Judgment:** The name powerfully conveys the reality of God's justice. Israel's persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness necessitated a response from a holy God. The withdrawal of pity signifies a period of divine discipline, demonstrating that God's covenant love, while steadfast, is not unconditional in the face of blatant rebellion.
2. **Covenant Consequences:** Lo-Ruhamah serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of breaking the covenant. The blessings of God's presence and mercy are contingent upon faithfulness, and their withdrawal is a severe form of judgment.
3. **Prophetic Symbolism:** As a living prophecy, Lo-Ruhamah embodies the spiritual state of Israel. Her name is a visual and auditory proclamation of God's temporary disfavor, designed to call the people to repentance.
4. **The Hope of Restoration:** Crucially, the judgment implied by Lo-Ruhamah is not final. The book of Hosea, particularly [[Hosea 2:23]], anticipates a future where God will once again show mercy: "And I will sow her for myself in the land. And I will have pity on Lo-Ruhamah, and I will say to Lo-Ammi, 'You are my people'; and he shall say, 'You are my God.'" This transformation from "not pitied" to "pitied" underscores God's ultimate redemptive purpose and His unchanging character of compassion, even after a period of judgment. It foreshadows the New Covenant, where God's mercy would be extended broadly, including to Gentiles ([[Romans 9:25-26]], [[1 Peter 2:10]]).
5. **God's Sovereignty:** The naming demonstrates God's sovereign right to bestow or withhold mercy according to His righteous will and His covenant relationship with His people.
### Summary
לֹא רֻחָמָה (Lôʼ Ruchâmâh, `{{H3819}}`) is a deeply symbolic Hebrew phrase meaning "not pitied" or "she who has not received compassion." As the prophetic name of Hosea's daughter, it signifies God's temporary withdrawal of mercy from the house of Israel due to their profound unfaithfulness and idolatry, illustrating the severe consequences of covenant disobedience. This name encapsulates a period of divine judgment, emphasizing God's justice and the gravity of sin. However, its theological significance extends beyond mere judgment, pointing powerfully to God's ultimate redemptive plan. The future transformation of "Lo-Ruhamah" to "Ruchamah" (pitied) in Hosea's prophecy underscores God's enduring character of compassion and His steadfast intention to restore His people, ultimately fulfilled in the broader scope of salvation history.
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