Hosea 1:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And the LORD said unto him, Call his name Jezreel; for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu, and will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God names the son Jezreel, declaring that He will hold the house of Jehu accountable for bloodshed and bring the northern kingdom to an end.
What Does Hosea 1:4 Mean?
The child is given a name heavy with meaning. Jezreel was a valley where blood had been violently shed by the dynasty of Jehu. By this name God announces that the day of reckoning is near and that the kingdom of Israel will not stand. A baby's name becomes a public warning.
The verse reminds us that God sees what powerful people do and does not forget the innocent who suffer. Justice may seem delayed, but it is not absent. For the reader, this is both sobering and steadying: the LORD reigns over nations and history, and no throne built on wrong can last forever before Him.
Hosea 1:4 in the Original Language
Jezreel (יִזְרְעֶאל), 'God sows' -- a name that holds both judgment and a hidden promise of new planting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 1:4
What does Hosea 1:4 mean?
God names the son Jezreel, declaring that He will hold the house of Jehu accountable for bloodshed and bring the northern kingdom to an end.