Bible Strands
Hosea 2:23
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.’”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God speaks to Israel immediately after promising the land's restored fertility in Hosea 2:22. He addresses the estranged nation, declaring a future reversal of their spiritual status.
The words — The name `ru.CHa.mah` (H7355) literally means "no compassion," while `lo'-` (H3808) means "not." God declares He will reverse these punitive labels by saying He will have compassion on her and speak to those called "not."
The thread — Paul cites this passage in Romans 9:25 to describe God's call to those not previously His people, and Peter applies the same language to the church in 1 Peter 2:9. Zechariah 13:9 parallels the theme by describing a refining process that results in God's people calling on His name.
Why it lands — The text states that God will actively sow the land, show compassion, and rename the estranged as His own. It asks the reader to recognize that divine restoration precedes and enables the people's response of acknowledging God.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James 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 which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
Cross-references
- Romans 9:25 As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,”
- 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
- Zechariah 13:9 This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”
- Hosea 1:9 And the LORD said, “Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not My people, and I am not your God.
- Romans 3:29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
- Zechariah 2:11 “On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.
- Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
- Deuteronomy 26:17 Today you have proclaimed that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in His ways, keep His statutes and commandments and ordinances, and listen to His voice.
- Zechariah 8:22 And many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to plead before the LORD.”
- Psalms 22:27 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him.