Lo-ruhamah is a significant figure in the Old Testament, specifically within the prophetic narrative of the Book of Hosea. Her name, which means "not loved" or "not pitied," is deeply symbolic and serves as a divine message to the people of Israel regarding their spiritual state and relationship with God.

Biblical Context

Lo-ruhamah is the daughter of the prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer. Her birth and the naming are recorded in Hosea 1:6-7. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the LORD said to Hosea, 'Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel, that I should ever forgive them. Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will deliver them—not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry, but by the LORD their God.'"

Symbolism and Theological Significance

The name Lo-ruhamah is a prophetic declaration of God's judgment upon the northern kingdom of Israel. It signifies a withdrawal of divine mercy and compassion due to Israel's persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness. This symbolic act of naming is part of Hosea's larger prophetic ministry, which uses his own family as a living parable to illustrate Israel's broken covenant with God.

The absence of compassion indicated by Lo-ruhamah's name underscores the severity of Israel's spiritual adultery. It serves as a stark warning that the nation's continued rebellion would lead to divine judgment and eventual exile. However, the prophecy also contains a note of hope, as God distinguishes between Israel and Judah, promising deliverance for Judah through divine intervention rather than military might.

Historical and Cultural Background

Hosea's ministry took place during a tumultuous period in Israel's history, marked by political instability and moral decline. The northern kingdom was characterized by its syncretism, blending the worship of Yahweh with Canaanite deities, particularly Baal. This spiritual infidelity is the backdrop against which Hosea's prophetic messages, including the naming of Lo-ruhamah, are delivered.

The cultural practice of using names as prophetic symbols was not uncommon in the ancient Near East. In Hosea's case, the names of his children—Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah, and Lo-ammi—each convey a specific aspect of God's message to Israel. Lo-ruhamah's name, in particular, highlights the theme of divine judgment tempered by the possibility of redemption, a recurring motif in the prophetic literature.

Interpretation and Application

From a theological perspective, Lo-ruhamah's account is a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. It emphasizes the seriousness with which God views covenant unfaithfulness and the inevitable judgment that follows persistent rebellion. Yet, it also reflects God's enduring desire for repentance and restoration, as seen in the broader narrative of Hosea, where themes of love, mercy, and redemption ultimately prevail.

For contemporary readers, Lo-ruhamah's narrative serves as a call to examine one's own faithfulness to God and to recognize the importance of living in accordance with His will. It challenges believers to remain steadfast in their devotion, understanding that while God's judgment is real, His mercy and compassion are always available to those who return to Him with sincere hearts.Lo-Ruhamah

not having obtained mercy; not pitied

Not pitied, the name of the prophet Hosea's first daughter, a type of Jehovah's temporary rejection of his people (Hosea 1:6; 2:23). LO-RUHAMAH

lo-roo-ha'-ma, lo-roo-ha'-ma.

See LO-AMMI.

3819. Lo Ruchamah -- "without compassion," symbolic name of ...
... "without compassion," symbolic name of Hosea's daughter. Transliteration: Lo Ruchamah
Phonetic Spelling: (lo roo-khaw-maw') Short Definition: Lo-ruhamah. ...
/hebrew/3819.htm - 6k

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... The subsequent words must be considered as an explanation of the name Jezreel, as
is obvious from the corresponding explanations of the names Lo-Ruhamah in ver ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

Everybody's Sermon
... Jezreel, "for yet a little while, and I will avenge the blood of Jezreel upon the
house of Jehu." As for his daughter, she was to be called Lo-ruhamah "for I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/everybodys sermon.htm

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... of all consolation, it was of special importance to [Pg 191] point out that even
the rejected congregation would receive mercy; that the Lo-Ruhamah should be ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the section chap i -iii.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
Christology of the Old Testament. <. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

Loruhamah (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LO-RUHAMAH. lo-roo-ha'-ma, lo-roo-ha'-ma. See
LO-AMMI. Multi-Version Concordance Loruhamah (2 Occurrences). ...
/l/loruhamah.htm - 7k

Lo-ruhamah (3 Occurrences)
Lo-ruhamah. Loruhamah, Lo-ruhamah. Lose . Easton's Bible Dictionary Not ... God.
(DBY YLT). Loruhamah, Lo-ruhamah. Lose . Reference Bible.
/l/lo-ruhamah.htm - 7k

Pitied (19 Occurrences)
... Hosea 1:6 And she conceiveth again, and beareth a daughter, and He saith to him,
'Call her name Lo-Ruhamah, for I add no more to pity the house of Israel, for ...
/p/pitied.htm - 12k

Lo-ammi (2 Occurrences)
... The 2nd son and 3rd child of Gomer bath-Diblaim, wife of the prophet Hosea (Hosea
1:9). An earlier child, a daughter, had been named Lo-ruhamah (lo'-ruchamah ...
/l/lo-ammi.htm - 8k

Conceiveth (27 Occurrences)
... Hosea 1:6 And she conceiveth again, and beareth a daughter, and He saith to him,
'Call her name Lo-Ruhamah, for I add no more to pity the house of Israel, for ...
/c/conceiveth.htm - 13k

Conceived (66 Occurrences)
... Then he said to him, "Call her name Lo-Ruhamah; for I will no longer have mercy
on the house of Israel, that I should in any way pardon them. ...
/c/conceived.htm - 26k

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)
Lord'the. Lordships, Lord'the. Loruhamah . Multi-Version Concordance Lord'the
(1 Occurrence). ... Lordships, Lord'the. Loruhamah . Reference Bible.
/l/lord'the.htm - 6k

Loammi (1 Occurrence)
... The 2nd son and 3rd child of Gomer bath-Diblaim, wife of the prophet Hosea (Hosea
1:9). An earlier child, a daughter, had been named Lo-ruhamah (lo'-ruchamah ...
/l/loammi.htm - 7k

Weaned (9 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Hosea 1:8 Now when she had weaned
Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived, and bore a son. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/weaned.htm - 9k

Weaneth (2 Occurrences)
... Pharaoh in the midst of the sons of Pharaoh. (YLT). Hosea 1:8 And she weaneth
Lo-Ruhamah, and conceiveth, and beareth a son; (YLT). ...
/w/weaneth.htm - 6k

Who was Lo-ruhamah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Lo-ammi in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Hosea | GotQuestions.org

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