Hosea 2:1
New International Version
“Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’

New Living Translation
“In that day you will call your brothers Ammi—‘My people.’ And you will call your sisters Ruhamah—‘The ones I love.’

English Standard Version
Say to your brothers, “You are my people,” and to your sisters, “You have received mercy.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’

King James Bible
Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.

New King James Version
Say to your brethren, ‘My people,’ And to your sisters, ‘Mercy is shown.

New American Standard Bible
Say to your brothers, “Ammi,” and to your sisters, “Ruhamah.”

NASB 1995
Say to your brothers, “Ammi,” and to your sisters, “Ruhamah.”

NASB 1977
Say to your brothers, “Ammi,” and to your sisters, “Ruhamah.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Say to your brothers, “Ammi,” and to your sisters, “Ruhamah.”

Amplified Bible
“[Hosea,] say to your brothers, ‘Ammi (you are my people),’ and to your sisters, ‘Ruhamah (you have been pitied and have obtained mercy).’

Christian Standard Bible
Call your brothers: My People and your sisters: Compassion.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Call your brothers: My People and your sisters: Compassion.

American Standard Version
Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.

Contemporary English Version
So let your brothers be called "My People" and your sisters be called "Shown Mercy."

English Revised Version
Say ye unto your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"So call your brothers Ammi [My People], and call your sisters Ruhamah [Loved].

Good News Translation
So call your fellow Israelites "God's People" and "Loved-by-the-Lord."

International Standard Version
So call your brothers 'Ammi,' and your sisters 'Ruhamah.'"

NET Bible
Then you will call your brother, "My People" (Ammi)! You will call your sister, "Pity" (Ruhamah)!

New Heart English Bible
"Say to your brothers, 'My People.' and to your sisters, 'Compassion.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Say ye to your brethren, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
“Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’

World English Bible
“Say to your brothers, ‘My people!’ and to your sisters, ‘My loved one!’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Say to your brothers—Ammi, "" And to your sisters—Ruhamah.

Young's Literal Translation
'Say ye to your brethren -- Ammi, And to your sisters -- Ruhamah.

Smith's Literal Translation
Say ye to your brethren, My people; and to your sisters, Being compassionated.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Say ye to your brethren: You are my people, and to your sister: Thou hast obtained mercy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Say to your brothers, ‘You are my people,’ and to your sister, ‘You have obtained mercy.’

New American Bible
Say to your brothers, “My People,” and to your sisters, “Pitied.”

New Revised Standard Version
Say to your brother, Ammi, and to your sister, Ruhamah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
SAY to your brethren, Ammi, my people; and to your sisters, Rekhimtha, beloved.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Call your brethren Ammi and your sisters Rakhimtha
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Say ye unto your brethren: ' Ammi'; and to your sisters, ' Ruhamah.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Say to your brother, My people, and to your sister, Pitied.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel's Adultery Rebuked
1“Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’ 2Rebuke your mother, rebuke her, for she is not My wife, and I am not her husband. Let her remove the adultery from her face and the unfaithfulness from between her breasts.…

Cross References
Romans 9:25-26
As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,” / and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

1 Peter 2:10
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Isaiah 62:4-5
No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land named Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be His bride. / For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.

Isaiah 54:5-6
For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts is His name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. / For the LORD has called you back, like a wife deserted and wounded in spirit, like the rejected wife of one’s youth,” says your God.

Jeremiah 3:14
“Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master, and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family—and bring you to Zion.

Ezekiel 16:8
Then I passed by and saw you, and you were indeed old enough for love. So I spread My cloak over you and covered your nakedness. I pledged Myself to you, entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine, declares the Lord GOD.

Isaiah 1:26-27
I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning. After that you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” / Zion will be redeemed with justice, her repentant ones with righteousness.

Zechariah 8:8
I will bring them back to dwell in Jerusalem, where they will be My people, and I will be their faithful and righteous God.”

Isaiah 43:6-7
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth— / everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.”

Jeremiah 31:1
“At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be My people.”

Ezekiel 37:23
They will no longer defile themselves with their idols or detestable images, or with any of their transgressions. I will save them from all their apostasies by which they sinned, and I will cleanse them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.

Isaiah 60:21
Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified.

Zephaniah 3:19-20
Behold, at that time, I will deal with all who afflict you. I will save the lame and gather the scattered; and I will appoint praise and fame for the disgraced throughout the earth. / At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you. For I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your captives before your very eyes,” says the LORD.

Isaiah 49:18
Lift up your eyes and look around. They all gather together; they come to you. As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “you will wear them all as jewelry and put them on like a bride.

Jeremiah 30:22
“And you will be My people, and I will be your God.”


Treasury of Scripture

Say you to your brothers, Ammi; and to your sisters, Ruhamah.

unto.

Hosea 1:9-11
Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God

Ammi.

Exodus 19:5,6
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: …

Jeremiah 31:33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jeremiah 32:38
And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:

Ruhamah.

Hosea 2:23
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.

Romans 11:30,31
For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: …

2 Corinthians 4:1
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

Jump to Previous
Ammi Loved Obtained Pity Sister Sisters
Jump to Next
Ammi Loved Obtained Pity Sister Sisters
Hosea 2
1. The idolatry of the people.
6. God's judgments against them.
14. His promises of reconciliation with them.














Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’
This phrase reflects a call to reconciliation and restoration. In the context of Hosea, God is addressing the Israelites, who have been unfaithful to Him. The term "brothers" signifies the collective identity of the Israelites as a family or nation. Historically, Israel was divided into two kingdoms: Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom). This division often led to conflict and disunity. The phrase "My people" is significant because it echoes God's covenantal language, reminiscent of His promise to Abraham and the Israelites at Sinai (Exodus 6:7). It signifies a renewal of the relationship between God and His people, despite their previous rebellion. This restoration is a theme that runs throughout the prophetic books, where God promises to bring His people back to Himself. Theologically, it points to the ultimate reconciliation through Christ, who unites all believers as God's people (1 Peter 2:9-10).

and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’
The use of "sisters" here complements the previous mention of "brothers," emphasizing the familial and communal aspect of God's people. "My loved one" is a term of endearment, indicating God's deep affection and commitment to His people, despite their infidelity. This reflects the theme of God's steadfast love (hesed) found throughout the Old Testament, which is unconditional and enduring. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, familial terms were significant, as family was the primary social unit. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament concept of the Church as the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27), where believers are collectively loved and cherished by God. The prophetic imagery in Hosea often parallels the relationship between God and Israel with that of a husband and wife, highlighting themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. This anticipates the ultimate expression of God's love through Jesus Christ, who demonstrates sacrificial love for His people (Romans 5:8).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hosea
A prophet in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, called by God to deliver messages of judgment and redemption.

2. Israel
The Northern Kingdom, often depicted as unfaithful to God, yet still the recipient of His love and call to repentance.

3. Gomer
Hosea's wife, whose unfaithfulness serves as a metaphor for Israel's spiritual adultery.

4. Jezreel
Hosea's son, whose name symbolizes God's judgment but also the promise of future restoration.

5. Lo-Ammi and Lo-Ruhamah
Hosea's children, whose names mean "Not My People" and "No Mercy," respectively, representing God's temporary rejection of Israel.
Teaching Points
Identity in God
Hosea 2:1 reminds us of our identity as God's people, loved and chosen despite our past unfaithfulness.

Restoration and Hope
The verse speaks to God's desire to restore and rename us, offering hope and a future.

Community and Belonging
The call to address brothers and sisters highlights the importance of community and mutual recognition of God's work in our lives.

God's Unfailing Love
Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, God's love remains steadfast, a powerful reminder of His grace.

Call to Repentance
The context of Hosea urges us to turn back to God, recognizing His call to be His people.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Hosea 2:1?

2. How does Hosea 2:1 reflect God's desire for reconciliation with His people?

3. What does "My people" and "Your brothers" signify about God's relationship with Israel?

4. How can Hosea 2:1 inspire us to seek unity within the church today?

5. In what ways does Hosea 2:1 connect to the theme of redemption in Scripture?

6. How can we apply the message of Hosea 2:1 in our daily lives?

7. What is the significance of Hosea 2:1 in the context of Israel's restoration?

8. How does Hosea 2:1 reflect God's relationship with Israel?

9. Why does Hosea 2:1 use familial terms like "brothers" and "sisters"?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Hosea 2?

11. What is the meaning of 'Out of Egypt I Called My Son'?

12. How does Hosea 1:6-9 align with a just God punishing children for their parents' actions, contrary to Deuteronomy 24:16?

13. How historically accurate is the claim in Leviticus 21:1-4 that any contact with the dead (apart from immediate family) defiled a priest?

14. Why does Ezekiel 23:4 personify Samaria and Jerusalem as immoral sisters, and is there historical or archeological evidence to support these specific accusations?
What Does Hosea 2:1 Mean
Say of your brothers

Hosea begins with an instruction to speak—“Say.” God calls His prophet (and the nation) to declare something new over their kin.

• The backdrop is Hosea 1, where the children’s symbolic names announced judgment: Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah (“Not Loved”), and Lo-Ammi (“Not My People”). Now the command reverses that verdict.

• Addressing “brothers” signals family unity is being re-established (cf. Hosea 1:11, “the sons of Judah and Israel will be gathered together”).

• Scripture often uses spoken proclamation to enact God’s purposes; think of Ezekiel 37:4, “Prophesy over these bones,” and Romans 10:17, “faith comes by hearing.”

• This verse previews the wider promise in Hosea 2:23, where the Lord says, “I will say to those called ‘Not My people,’ ‘You are My people.’”


‘My people’

The first reversal name is Lo-Ammi to Ammi, “My people.”

• It restores covenant identity first given in Exodus 6:7—“I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God.”

• The phrase anticipates New-Covenant inclusion: Romans 9:25-26 and 1 Peter 2:10 quote Hosea to show Gentiles and Jews alike being called God’s people.

• Literally, God is pledging to bring the northern kingdom back from exile, ensuring Israel is still His nation despite her unfaithfulness.

• For believers today, the words affirm that salvation makes us part of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19), not by merit but by divine declaration.


and of your sisters

The instruction continues to the “sisters.” While “brothers” covered the nation as a whole, “sisters” highlights those who had especially felt rejection, corresponding to Lo-Ruhamah in Hosea 1:6.

• Using both genders stresses that every member of the covenant family—male or female—is included in the restoration (cf. Joel 2:28, “sons and daughters will prophesy”).

• The Lord addresses them directly rather than through intermediaries, underscoring personal relationship (Isaiah 43:1, “I have called you by name; you are Mine”).


‘My loved one’

Lo-Ruhamah (“No Mercy”) becomes Ruhamah, “My loved one” or “Shown Mercy.”

• God is not merely tolerating His people; He pours out covenant love and compassion (Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love”).

• Mercy triumphs over judgment when repentance and divine initiative meet (James 2:13).

• The phrase foreshadows the climactic promise in Hosea 2:19, “I will betroth you to Me forever… in loving devotion and compassion.”

• In Christ, this mercy becomes universally accessible: Titus 3:5, “He saved us… according to His mercy.”


summary

Hosea 2:1 is a divinely authored reversal. Where judgment once named the people “Not My People” and “Not Loved,” God now commands a new confession: “My people… My loved one.” By speaking these words, Israel was to agree with God’s restorative plan, foreshadowing the gospel invitation that calls every believer—male and female, Jew and Gentile—into covenant identity and steadfast mercy.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Say of
אִמְר֥וּ (’im·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

your brothers,
לַאֲחֵיכֶ֖ם (la·’ă·ḥê·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

‘My people,’
עַמִּ֑י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and of your sisters,
וְלַאֲחֽוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם (wə·la·’ă·ḥō·w·ṯê·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 269: Sister -- a sister

‘My loved one.’
רֻחָֽמָה׃ (ru·ḥā·māh)
Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7355: To fondle, to love, to compassionate


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OT Prophets: Hosea 2:1 Say to your brothers 'My people! (Ho Hs Hos.)
Hosea 1:11
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