# The book of Hosea

> Hosea is told to marry a woman who will be unfaithful to him, and to take her back. His marriage becomes a living picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God and God’s refusal to give up on them.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/read/hosea/about
Section: Minor prophets · 14 chapters

## Who wrote Hosea?

Hosea son of Beeri, a prophet to the northern kingdom. The book was likely gathered and edited in Judah after Israel fell.

## When was it written?

Hosea’s ministry was about 755–715 BC.

## Main themes

- **God’s faithful love.** “How can I give you up?”
- **Unfaithfulness.** Worshiping other gods is pictured as adultery.
- **Knowing God.** God wants steadfast love and knowledge of him more than sacrifice.

## Outline

- Chapters 1–3: [Hosea’s marriage](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hosea/1)
- Chapters 4–13: [Israel’s unfaithfulness and judgment](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hosea/4)
- Chapter 14: [A call to return and a promise of healing](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hosea/14)

## Key verses

Quoted from the Lumin Translation.

> For it is loyalty I desire, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
> — [Hosea 6:6](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hosea/6#6)

> How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I make you like Admah? How can I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned over within me; all my compassion is stirred.
> — [Hosea 11:8](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hosea/11#8)

> I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned away from him.
> — [Hosea 14:4](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hosea/14#4)

## Where to start

Read chapters 1–3, then chapter 11. [Read Hosea 1](https://www.lumin.faith/read/hosea/1.md)

Read the whole book: https://www.lumin.faith/read/hosea/1.md
Ask about it: https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md