Historical chapter commentary
Verse 1. Israel. He reigned forty-one years, till A.Menochius. 3220. Usher.—The prophets usually give the date, that the prediction may be verified. Some Latin MSS. intimate, that “the Jews attribute these titles to Esdras, (who is Malachias) or to the respective prophets, which is more probable.” Saint Jerome t. i.—Jeroboam II. died twenty-six years before Ozias, towards the end of whose reign Isaias commenced; so that Osee was more ancient. Worthington.
Verse 2. Fornications. That is, a wife that hath been given to fornication. This was to represent the Lord’s proceedings with his people Israel, who, by spiritual fornication, were continually offending him. Challoner.—The prophet reclaimed her. Saint Jerome—She denoted Samaria, abandoned to idolatry. Ezekiel 16:15. Several such actions were prophetical. Many have supposed that this was only a parable; but the sequel proves the contrary. Calmet.—Of fornications. So called from the character of the mother, if not also from their own wicked dispositions. Challoner.—He is ordered to marry a woman who had been of a loose character, and to have children who would resemble her; ( Worthington.) or he takes her children to his house; (Grot.) unless the children of the prophet were so styled because the mother had been given to fornication. So the rod of Aaron retains its name when it was become a serpent. Exodus 7:12.—Shall, or rather, “has departed;” and therefore he denounces future chastisements.
Verse 4. Jezrahel. Jehu slew Joram in this place. He was the instrument of God’s justice, yet acted himself through malice and ambition, and was therefore deservedly punished. Zacharias, the fourth of his family, lost the crown, and was slain by Sellum, at Jezrahel. 4 Kennicott. 9 and so forth Calmet.—The offspring of Jehu, now on the throne, solicited Jezrahel or the ten tribes to idolatry, which God will revenge. Worthington.
Verse 6. Without mercy. Lo Ruchamah. Challoner.—Some copies of Septuagint and Saint Paul read, “not beloved.” Romans 9:25. Samaria shall surely perish. After the death of Jeroboam II. the kingdom was all in confusion, and in sixty-two years time became extinct. It was afterwards blended with Juda.
Verse 7. Horsemen. Sennacherib was miraculously disconcerted. Juda returned from captivity and became more flourishing, giving birth to the Messias. Calmet.
Verse 9. Not my people. Lohammi. Challoner.—The kingdom of Israel seemed to be quite cast off; and in captivity it was hardly distinguished from other nations. Juda was preserved longer, and at all times was under the divine protection. Ezechiel, Daniel, and so forth comforted the people in the worst of their afflictions. Calmet.
Verse 10. The number, and so forth that is of the true Israelites, the children of the Church of Christ. Challoner.—This is the primary sense. Romans 9:25. Yet the Israelites are here also assured of their return from captivity. Calmet.—God. Among many sinners, some are chosen. Worthington.
Verse 11. Head; Christ, ( Challoner.) the head of all the faithful, ( Worthington.) consisting both of Jews and Gentiles. Israel and Juda returned under Zorobabel, and so forth Calmet.—The prophets blend present and future transactions together. Saint Jerome in Calmet. iii.—Jezrahel. That is, of the seed of God; for Jezrahel signifies the seed of God. Challoner.—For may also be rendered, “when or though.” The seed of Jehu shall be exterminated. The kingdom, signified by Jezrahel, a great city, shall fall. Calmet.
When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).
Lo-Ruhamah means “not loved”.
The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).
Lo-Ammi means “not my people”.