Hosea 3:1

1. Go yet [“again”] Connects this command with the one in Hosea 1:2 (Zechariah 1:17; Zechariah 11:15).

Love As Hosea 3:2 shows, practically equivalent to take a wife (Hosea 1:2); the verb is selected because the emphasis throughout is upon the love of Jehovah, and to indicate the character of the new union. By his love the prophet is to overcome the evil tendencies.

A woman The symbolism, the form of expression, and every other consideration make it certain that this woman is Gomer. Were it another the symbolic act would suggest that Jehovah was about to select another spouse in the place of Israel, which is contrary to the thought of Hosea.

Beloved of her friend Or simply, of another. Though she is fickle, and readily accepts the love of another, the prophet is to take her back. LXX. reads the active participle “loving,” which gives good sense; but evil for a friend is no improvement.

Adulteress Such she had become by allowing others to bestow their love upon her. The task imposed upon the prophet was indeed great. According to the love of Jehovah toward [“even as Jehovah loveth”] the children of Israel The prophet forgave his faithless wife because Jehovah forgave his faithless spouse, Israel; the attitude of Jehovah taught the prophet his own duty in the matter. It is undoubtedly equally true that his own domestic experience enabled Hosea to understand more completely the attitude of Jehovah to his people, an attitude of intense love, though they look to other gods That is, the Baalim (Hosea 2:5; Hosea 2:13).

Flagons of wine More correctly, R.V., “cakes of raisins”; literally, of ( dried) grapes. These are loved not by the gods, but by the Israelites. The reference is to cakes used in connection with the sacrifices (Jeremiah 7:18), partly as offerings to the deity and partly in the feasts accompanying some of the sacrifices. Of this luxury the Israelites were fond; this fondness is used here as illustrating their love for things connected with the worship of the Baalim.