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People of the Bible
Who Was Hosea?
In short
Hosea was a prophet whom God asked to marry an unfaithful wife, a living, heartbreaking picture of God's faithful love for a people who kept straying.
Through his own broken marriage, Hosea revealed a God whose love pursues even when it is betrayed, always ready to welcome the wanderer home.
“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”
Hosea 6:6 · King James Version (public domain)
Hosea at a glance
| Name | Hosea |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | Hosea |
| Key passage on this page | Hosea 6:6 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Read it beside its neighbours. These are the passages readers most often set next to this one.
- Matthew 9:13
- Matthew 12:7
- Proverbs 21:3
- 1 Samuel 15:22
- Amos 5:21
- Ecclesiastes 5:1
- Isaiah 1:11
- Jeremiah 22:16
- Matthew 5:7
- Daniel 4:27
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about Hosea in the Bible?
Hosea appears in Hosea. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside Hosea 6:6?
Readers most often set it next to Matthew 9:13, Matthew 12:7, Proverbs 21:3, 1 Samuel 15:22.
Why does Hosea matter to Christians today?
Because the story of Hosea is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Lord Jesus, you see Hosea and you know every person there by name. We bring you Hosea, Hosea. Teach us to love one another, as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Three small things you can do this week.
- Read the key passage, Hosea 6:6, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what Hosea's story says about God, not only about Hosea.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Nothing here is a finish line. It is one door into a life with Christ and with His people.
Read the story of Hosea
You can read the story of Hosea in Hosea on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
