Hosea 2:23 Meaning and Explanation
“And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord reverses the names of judgment entirely, declaring mercy to the unpitied and belonging to those once cast off.
What Does Hosea 2:23 Mean?
The chapter closes by undoing every sorrowful name from chapter 1. The God who 'sows' plants His people securely in the land. To Lo-ruhamah, 'not pitied,' He grants mercy; to Lo-ammi, 'not my people,' He says, 'Thou art my people' -- and the people answer, 'Thou art my God.' The broken covenant is wholly remade.
This is one of Scripture's great reversals, later taken up to describe how God gathers a people to Himself by sheer mercy, making His own those who had no claim. It is the heart of the gospel: those who were far off are brought near, the unpitied are pitied, and outsiders become beloved children. What unfaithfulness forfeited, grace restores in full, and the last word of the whole story is belonging.
Hosea 2:23 in the Original Language
racham (רָחַם), 'have mercy' -- tender, compassionate love, like that of a parent for a child.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 2:23
What does Hosea 2:23 mean?
The Lord reverses the names of judgment entirely, declaring mercy to the unpitied and belonging to those once cast off.