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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hosea 3:1-5

Some think that this chapter refers to Judah, the two tribes, as the adulteress the prophet married (Hos. 1:3) represented the ten tribes; for this was not to be divorced, as the ten tribes were, but to be left desolate for a long time, and then to return, as the two tribes did. But these are called the children of Israel, which was the ten tribes, and therefore it is more probable that of them this parable, as well as that before, is to be understood. Go, and repeat it, says God to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hosea 3:1

Then said the Lord unto me ,.... Or, as the Targum, "the Lord said unto me again'; for the word yet or again is to be joined to this, and not the following clause; and shows that this is a new vision, prophecy, or parable, though respecting the same persons and things: go, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress ; not the prophet's wife, not Gomer, but some other feigned person; beloved either of her own husband, as the Targum and Jarchi, notwithstanding her unchastity... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 3:1

Go ye, love a woman - This is a different command from that mentioned in the first chapter. That denoted the infidelity of the kingdom of Israel, and God's divorce of them. He gave them up to their enemies, and caused them to be carried into captivity. The woman mentioned here represents one who was a lawful wife joining herself to a paramour; then divorced by her husband; afterwards repenting, and desirous to be joined to her spouse; ceasing from her adulterous commerce, but not yet... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hosea 3:1

Verse 1 The substance of this chapter is, that it was God’s purpose to keep in firm hope the minds of the faithful during the exile, lest being overwhelmed with despair they should wholly faint. The Prophet had before spoken of God’s reconciliation with his people; and he magnificently extolled that favor when he said, ‘Ye shall be as in the valley of Achor, I will restore to you the abundance of all blessings; in a word, ye shall be in all respects happy.’ But, in the meantime, the daily... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 3:1

EXPOSITION This short chapter contains two sections, of which the first, comprising Hosea 3:1-3 , is a symbolic representation; and the second, consisting of Hosea 3:4 and Hosea 3:5 , gives the explanation. The prophet bestows his affections on a worthless wife, who, notwithstanding his tender love to her, proves utterly unfaithful and lives in adultery. He does not cast her off, but, in order to reclaim her and bring her to repentance, he places her in a position of restraint,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 3:1

The love of the Lord toward the children of Israel. This exquisitely beautiful phrase comes in the midst of a passage of the most painful and distressing character. As a fend husband may tenderly love his wife, even though she abandon herself to a course of infidelity and profligacy, so the God of Israel is represented as cherishing towards his people, even in their defection and apostasy, the sincerest compassion, the most invincible affection. I. HOW THE LOVE OF THE LORD ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 3:1-3

God's mercifulness and Israel's sinfulness are brought into contrast. Some are disposed to regard the woman mentioned in this chapter as identical with Gomer, whom the prophet had previously made his wife; and that she had in the mean time forsaken her husband the prophet, and had formed an adulterous connection with another man: while others regard the command of God to the prophet and his conduct in compliance therewith in the light of a new transaction with a different individual. In... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 3:1-5

Hosea detains Gomer in seclusion. This chapter, like Hosea 1:1-11 ; is written in prose; all the other twelve being rhythmical. It deals, as Hosea 1:1-11 . does, with the personal life of Hosea, giving one further glimpse of the bitter domestic sorrow by which God made him a prophet. The same wonderful providence which had led him to marry Gomer at the first now impelled him to rescue her from the wretchedness into which she had fallen. And his own quenchless love for his erring wife... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hosea 3:1-5

Love to the adulteress. It has been shown in Hosea 2:1-23 . that the punishment of Israel is designed to work for the nation's moral recovery. A new symbol is accordingly employed to set forth this aspect of the truth; as formerly the punitive aspects of God's dealing with the nation had been exhibited in the symbols of Hosea 1:1-11 . The symbol is again drawn from the prophet's relations to his wife. I. THE PROPHET 'S CONTINUED LOVE FOR HIS UNFAITHFUL WIFE . ( Hosea... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hosea 3:1

Go yet, love a woman, beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress - This woman is the same Gomer, whom the prophet had before been bidden to take, and whom, (it appears from this verse) had forsaken him, and was living in adultery with another man. The “friend” is the husband himself, the prophet. The word “friend” expresses, that the husband of Gomer treated her, not harshly, but mildly and tenderly so that her faithlessness was the more aggravated sin. “Friend or neighbor” too is the word chosen... read more

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