Gomer

Portrait of Gomer

Gomer was the wife of the prophet Hosea, taken at God's command as 'a wife of whoredoms' to embody Israel's unfaithfulness to the LORD. She bore children given symbolic names of judgment - Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah ('not pitied'), and Lo-ammi ('not my people') - and later strayed, only to be bought back by Hosea at God's direction. Her story is a living parable of God's covenant love pursuing an adulterous people and redeeming them.

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Biography

Occupation
Hosea's wife
Father
Diblaim
Children
Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah, Lo-ammi
Era
Divided Kingdom
Nationality
Israelite

Family

Parents
Diblaim
โ†“
Gomer
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Children
Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah, Lo-ammi
Old Testament Prophet Woman Hosea

Did You Know?

1

God commanded the prophet Hosea to marry Gomer, an unfaithful woman, so that his own marriage would become a living sermon about Israel's spiritual adultery (Hosea 1:2).

2

Their three children were given prophetic names of judgment: Jezreel ('God scatters'), Lo-ruhamah ('not pitied'), and Lo-ammi ('not my people') - each child a walking oracle against the nation.

3

Hosea later bought Gomer back for fifteen shekels and a measure of barley (Hosea 3:2), enacting the astonishing message that God would redeem his wayward people rather than abandon them.

Key Chapters

Hosea 1 Hosea's Wife and Children 2 min read God commands Hosea to marry Gomer and name their children as living signs of Isr... Hosea 3 Hosea Redeems His Wife 1 min read Hosea buys back his wayward wife, picturing God's redeeming love for unfaithful ...

Key Passages

Hosea Takes Gomer

Hosea 1:2-9

God commands Hosea to marry Gomer and name their children as living signs of Israel's coming judgment.

T2he beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim; which conceived, and bare him a son. 4 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. 5 And it shall come to pass at that day, that I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel. 6 And she conceived again, and bare a daughter. And God said unto him, Call her name Loruhamah: for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away. 7 But I will have mercy upon the house of Judah, and will save them by the LORD their God, and will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, by horses, nor by horsemen. 8 Now when she had weaned Loruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son. 9 Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.

Read full chapter: Hosea 1 โ†’

Gomer Redeemed

Hosea 3:1-5

Hosea buys back his wayward wife, picturing God's redeeming love for unfaithful Israel.

T1hen said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.

2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: 3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee. 4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: 5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

Read full chapter: Hosea 3 โ†’

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