Hosea 2:1 — Word Study
WLCאִמְר֥וּ לַאֲחֵיכֶ֖ם עַמִּ֑י וְלַאֲחֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם רֻחָֽמָה׃
BSASayʼâmar▸ My peopleʻam [a nation]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אִמְר֥וּ | say | Verb, Qal, imperative second person masculine plural |
| לַאֲחֵיכֶ֖ם | to brothers your | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| עַמִּ֑י | people my | Noun common both singular construct, suffix |
| וְלַאֲחֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם | and to sisters your | Conjunction, preposition, noun common feminine plural construct |
| רֻחָֽמָה׃ | she is Shown Compassion | Verb, Pual, perfect third person feminine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | “Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’ |
| KJV | Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ru-hamah. |
| ASV | Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah. |
| YLT | 'Say ye to your brethren — Ammi, And to your sisters — Ruhamah. |
| WEB | “Say to your brothers, ‘My people!’ and to your sisters, ‘My loved one!’ |
| BBE | Say to your brothers, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah. |
The translations agree on the rendering of עַמִּי as My people.
The sentence consists of a main clause followed by a phrase that adds another group to address.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbוְ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Hosea 2:1
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Call to His Peoplegenerated
Hosea 2:1 is a call from God to His people, urging them to acknowledge their identity as His chosen ones. This verse emphasizes the relationship between God and Israel, highlighting their status as His people and the recipients of His love and mercy. The surrounding verses further elaborate on the consequences of unfaithfulness and the promise of restoration, reinforcing the theme of divine compassion.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hosea 1:9–11 | And the LORD said, “Name him Lo-ammi, for you are not My people, and I am not your God. |
| 2 | Exodus 19:5–6 | Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 31:33 | “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 32:38 | They will be My people, and I will be their God. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 11:20 | so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עַמִּי, 'Ammigenerated
The Hebrew word עַם (am) means 'people' or 'nation.' It signifies a collective group, often referring to the nation of Israel. The parsing indicates it is a noun in the singular construct form, which shows possession, linking it directly to the speaker's identity as God's people.
In this verse, עַמִּי emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and His people, indicating they are not just any people, but specifically His chosen ones. This word encapsulates the idea of belonging and divine selection.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses My people for עַמִּי.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is אִמְר֥וּ, say, which governs the entire verse. It directs the speaker to address two groups: brothers and sisters, indicating a familial and communal aspect.
The structure emphasizes a command followed by two phrases that describe what is to be said about these groups, highlighting their identity as God's people and those who have received His mercy.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עַמִּי as my people, which aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning. This choice reflects the translators' understanding of the relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing their chosen status.
The Greek rendering maintains the sense of identity and belonging, consistent with the original Hebrew intent.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Hosea 2:1 tells us that God instructs His people to recognize their identity as His chosen ones. He calls them 'My people' and 'My loved one,' reminding them of His compassion and mercy. This verse emphasizes the relationship between God and Israel, highlighting their special status as His beloved.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies a special relationship between God and the nation of Israel, indicating they are chosen and loved by Him.
This term reflects God's compassion and mercy towards His people, emphasizing His deep affection for them.
It serves as a reminder for the people to return to their identity in God, encouraging them to repent and acknowledge His love.
It highlights the communal aspect of God's people, emphasizing unity and kinship among them.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I recognize my identity as part of God's people?
- How does understanding God's love for me change my perspective on my relationships?
- What steps can I take to encourage others to see themselves as loved by God?
- How can I respond to God's call for repentance in my own life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators reference this verse to discuss God's relationship with His people and the call to recognize their identity as His chosen ones.
"Tell your brothers and sisters, my people, that they have attained mercy." LXX: "Say to your brother, my people, and to your sister, having obtained mercy." Because the day of Jezrael is great,Early Church Fathers on Hosea 2 →
Say ye to your brethren: or, Call your brethren, My people: and your sister, Her that hath obtained mercy. This is connected with the latter end of the foregoing chapter, and relates to the converts of Israel.Early Church Fathers on Hosea 2 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Hosea 2:1 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleSay ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
Read John Gill on Hosea 2 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentarySay ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah. Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
Read Robert Jamieson on Hosea 2 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleHOSEA CHAPTER 2 The people are exhorted to forsake idolatry, which is threatened with severe judgments, . God allureth them with promises of reconciliation, . In the two last verses of the former chapter, the prophet did from God promise marvellous mercy to Judah and Israel, to that remnant of the seed of Abraham who returned out of captivity, and to the converted Gentiles; now in this verse he calls upon them to acknowledge the mercy, and to excite one another to mutual love and esteem. Say; declare, own, or publish. Ye; who of no people are made a people, who were once unpitied and unregarded, but now have obtained mercy; you that are the sons of the living God, whether Jews or Gentiles.…
Read Matthew Poole on Hosea 2 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsHosea 2:1 Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.Ver. 1. Say unto your brethren, Ammi] Besides the public preaching of this gracious promise, Hosea 1:10, "There it shall be said unto them," &c., charge is here given that this be the subject of their more private discourse also: and that they that fear the Lord speak often one to another, We that were not a people, are now a people: we that had not obtained mercy, have now obtained mercy. Iubet per prophetam ne haec vox in ecclesia taceatur (Mercer). God commands by the prophet that these sweet words, Ammi, Ruhamah, be tossed and spoken of at every friendly meeting; I will not leave you fatherless: in me the fatherless…
Read John Trapp on Hosea 2 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleCHAPTER II The prophet exhorts his people to speak and to act as became those who obtained mercy of God; and to remonstrate strongly against the conduct of their mother, (Samaria,) whose captivity is threatened on account of her forsaking God, and ascribing her prosperity to idols, 1-5. As an amplification of this threatening, the prophet ennumerates a series of afflictions which were to befall her to bring her to a sense of her duty to God; and of her folly in seeking after idols, and falsely ascribing to them the blessings of Providence, 6-13. After these corrections, however, God promises to conduct Israel safely to their own land; perhaps alluding to their restoration from the…
Read AdamClarke on Hosea 2 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1. The parallel lines here seem misleading. Say ye …] Now that the storm-cloud has rolled away, those names of baleful import Lo-ammi and Lo-ruhamah have ceased to be admissible, and are altered into the direct opposites. The verse is best understood as the conclusion of chap. 2, just as ‘Call his name Lo-ammi’, &c. ought to form the conclusion of chap. 1. The persons addressed are perhaps the disciples of the prophet, who are directed to communicate the joyful news summed up in the names Ammi (‘my people’) and Ruhamah (‘she hath found compassion’) to the whole nation. 2–23, Hosea 1:10-11, Hosea 2:1. Hosea’s first discourse, slightly obscured by the dislocation of some of its verses (see…
Read Cambridge on Hosea 2 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSay ye unto your brethren, Ammi - that is, “My people, and to your sisters, Ruhamah,” i. e., “beloved or tenderly pitied.” The words form a climax of the love of God.
Read Albert Barnes on Hosea 2 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible1. With this triumph a new era opens, an era of prosperity and felicity. This transformation warrants the change of the names of ill omen into their direct opposites.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Hosea 2 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
“Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’
“Say to your brothers, ‘My people!’ and to your sisters, ‘My loved one!’
“Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’
Then you will call your brother, “My People” (Ammi)! You will call your sister, “Pity” (Ruhamah)!
Tyndale line
Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ru-hamah.
Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
Say ye to your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
Say vnto your brethren, Ammi, and to your sisters, Ruhamah,
Strictly literal
Say unto your brethren Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
'Say ye to your brethren — Ammi, And to your sisters — Ruhamah.
“Say to your brothers—Ammi, || And to your sisters—Ruhamah.
(2:3) Call ye your brothers, 'Ammi [[my people]]; and your sisters, Ruchamah [[That hath obtained mercy]].
Say to your brothers, 'My people!' and to your sisters, 'You have been shown compassion.'”
From the Latin
Say ye to your brethren: You are my people, and to your sister: Thou hast obtained mercy.
Simplified
“On that day you will call your brothers Ammi, and you will call your sisters Ruhamah.
Say to your brothers, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording for this verse, with both emphasizing the call to the people as 'My people.' The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration but align with the core message of the verse, reflecting the same themes of identity and mercy.
אִמְר֥וּ לַאֲחֵיכֶ֖ם עַמִּ֑י וְלַאֲחֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם רֻחָֽמָה׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[והיה] מספר בני [ישראל] [כחול] [הים] [אשר] [לא] [ימד] ולו יספיר [והיה] [במקום] [אשר] [יאמר] [ל׳הם] [לא] [עמ׳י] אתמ יומר ל׳הם [בני] [אל] [חי]
6 words on the leather — 1 partly restored, 17 supplied entire by an editor.
[והיה] מספר בני [ישראל] [כחול] [הים] [אשר] [לא] [ימד] [ולוא] יספר והיה [במקום] [אשר] [יאמר] [ל׳הם] [לא] [עמ׳י] [אתם] [יאמר] [ל׳הם] [בני] [אל] [חי]
2 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 20 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Hosea 2:1
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.
אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say
Qal
Say
Say in the heart (= think)
Promise
Command (esp. late)
Niph. be said, told
Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
Hithp. act proudly, boast
base
H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say
. Say in the heart (= think)
. Promise
. Command (esp. late)
. be said, told
. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)
. act proudly, boast
559 'amar aw-mar'
a primitive root; to say (used with great
latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,
certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),
commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X
expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,
publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X
suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),
utter, X verily, X yet.
אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.
1) to say, speak, utter
1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend
1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called
1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly
1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch
Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperative second person masculine pluralHVqv2mp
אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.
אָח 630 n.m. brother
brother, born of same mother (& father)
indef. = relative
fig. of resemblance
in phr. one … another
base
H251 אָח brother
251 'ach awkh
a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of
literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance
(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.
Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".
see HEBREW for 01
אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.
: male-sibling
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.
: male-relative
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.
: compatriot
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
HR/Ncmpc/Sp2mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHR/Ncmpc/Sp2mp
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
N-ms | Suff — Noun common both singular construct · suffixHNcbsc/Sp1bs
אָחוֹת (achowth) means 'sister' and can refer to a full sister, half-sister, or a relative. It is used both literally and figuratively, symbolizing relationships such as that of Israel and Judah, and can also imply intimacy or connection. The word is built from a feminine form related to other terms for kinship.
אָחוֹת 114 n.f. sister
sister
= beloved
symbol. of Judah, Samaria, Sodom & Jerusalem
fig. of intimate connection
another
base
H269 אָחוֹת sister
269 'achowth aw-khoth'
irregular feminine of 251; a sister (used very widely (like
250), literally and figuratively):--(an-)other, sister,
together.
see HEBREW for 0251
see HEBREW for 0250
אָחוֹת (a.chot) — sister.
1) sister
1a) sister (same parents)
1b) half-sister (same father)
1c) relative
1c1) (metaph) of Israel's and Judah's relationship
1d) beloved
1d1) bride
1e) (fig.) of intimate connection
1f) another
HC/R/Ncfpc/Sp2mp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHC/R/Ncfpc/Sp2mp
רָחַם (racham) is a Hebrew verb meaning to love or have compassion. It conveys a sense of deep affection and mercy, applicable to both God and humans. The root emphasizes tenderness and pity, with forms indicating active compassion (Piel) and being shown compassion (Pual). The entries consistently highlight its emotional depth and relational aspect.
[רָחַם] vb. denom. love. Pi. have compassion
Qal I love thee
Pi. have compassion, compassionate
Pu. be shewn compassion, compassionated
base
H7355 רָחַם vb. denom. love. Pi. have compassion
7355 racham raw-kham'
a primitive root; to fondle; by implication, to love,
especially to compassionate:--have compassion (on, upon),
love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy(-iful, on, upon),
(have) pity, Ruhamah, X surely.
רָחַם (ra.cham) — to have compassion.
1) to love, love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate, have tender affection, have compassion
1a) (Qal) to love
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to have compassion, be compassionate
1b1a) of God, man
1c) (Pual) to be shown compassion, be compassionate
HVPp3fs — Verb · Pual · perfect third person feminine singularHVPp3fs
kom-pash'-un: Compassion is the translation of racham, "to love," "pity," "be merciful" (De 13:17; 30:3); of rachamim, "mercies" (1Ki 8:50); of chamal, "to pity," "spare" (Ex 2:6; 1Sa 23:21); rachum (Ps 78:38; 86:15; 111:4; 112:4; 145:8), is rendered by the American Standard Revised Version "merciful." We have splagchnizomai, "to have the bowels yearning," in Mt 9:36; 14:14, etc.; sumpatheo (Heb 10:34), "to suffer with (another)"; sumpathes (1Pe 3:8, the…
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See GOD, MERCY OF
→ OF CHRIST
See JESUS, COMPASSION OF