God's Dominion Over Israel
Hosea 3:2
So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:


The prophet's purchasing the adulteress for so much money is not to be strained to signify the Lord's redeeming of His Church, for the price is given to herself for maintenance and to purchase her goodwill, though she be His own, in order to a second marriage. but it teacheth that as a slave bought with money is at the buyer's disposal, so however Israel followed many idols, yet the Lord would prove that He alone had dominion over her, to set her in what condition He pleased. The price given for her, being but half a servant's worth, and half the estimation of a woman, may teach how little worth they are who despise the Lord and corrupt His worship. The small price, with the barley joined to it, being little and unfit food, may teach that sensuality provokes God to send pinching poverty, and that we must be stripped of all things before we become sensible, and are weaned from our idols.

(George Hutcheson.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley:

WEB: So I bought her for myself for fifteen pieces of silver and a homer and a half of barley.




Barley a Mean Food
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