Hosea 3

Waiting for Restoration

1 Then the Lord said to me, "Go again; show love to a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress,  * 3:1 Hs 1:2 just as the Lord loves the Israelites though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."  * 3:1 2Sm 6:19; 1Ch 16:3; Sg 2:5

2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and nine bushels of barley.  * 3:2 LXX reads barley and a measure of wine,* 3:2 Lit silver, a homer of barley, and a lethek of barley,* 3:2 Ru 4:103 I said to her, "You are to live with me many days. You must not be promiscuous or belong to any man, and I will act the same way toward you."

4 For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince,  * 3:4 Hs 13:10–11 without sacrifice  * 3:4 Dn 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Hs 2:11 or sacred pillar,  * 3:4 Hs 10:1–2 and without ephod  * 3:4 Ex 28:4–12; 1Sm 23:9–12 or household idols.  * 3:4 Gn 31:19,34; Jdg 17:5; 18:14,175 Afterward, the people of Israel will return  * 3:5 Jr 50:4–5 and seek the Lord their God and David their king.  * 3:5 Is 11:1–10; Jr 23:5–6; 33:15–16; Ezk 34:24; Rm 11:23 They will come with awe to the Lord* 3:5 Jr 31:9 and to his goodness in the last days.