Hosea 1:4-6

Contemporary English Version

⁴^(A) Then the Lord said, “Hosea, name your son Jezreel,^[a] because I will soon punish the descendants of King Jehu of Israel for the murders he committed in Jezreel Valley.^[b] I will destroy his kingdom, ⁵and in Jezreel Valley I will break the power of Israel.”

⁶Later, Gomer had a daughter, and the Lord said, “Name her Lo-Ruhamah,^[c] because I will no longer have mercy and forgive Israel.

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Footnotes

1.4 Jezreel: In Hebrew “Jezreel” means “God scatters (seed).” Here the name is used as a threat (meaning the Lord will punish Israel by scattering its people), while in verse 11 it is used as a promise (meaning the Lord will bless Israel by giving their nation many people, just as a big harvest comes when many seeds are scattered in a field).
1.4 murders … Valley: Jehu murdered the wife and relatives of King Ahab (see 2 Kings 9.15—10.14).
1.6 Lo-Ruhamah: In Hebrew “Lo-Ruhamah” means “No Mercy.”