Ruhamah is a symbolic name found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Hosea. The name "Ruhamah" is derived from the Hebrew word meaning "having obtained mercy" or "compassion." It is closely associated with the prophet Hosea's family and the prophetic messages conveyed through them.

Biblical Context

Ruhamah is not a direct character in the biblical narrative but rather a symbolic name given to the daughter of the prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer. The account of Hosea is a profound illustration of God's relationship with Israel, using Hosea's family as a living metaphor for the nation's spiritual condition and God's enduring love and mercy.

In Hosea 1:6, Gomer bears a daughter, and God instructs Hosea to name her "Lo-Ruhamah," which means "not loved" or "not pitied," signifying God's displeasure with Israel due to their unfaithfulness and idolatry. The name reflects the withdrawal of God's mercy from the Northern Kingdom of Israel because of their persistent sin and rebellion.

However, the narrative takes a hopeful turn in Hosea 2:23, where God promises restoration and reconciliation. The prefix "Lo-" is removed, transforming "Lo-Ruhamah" into "Ruhamah," indicating that God will once again show mercy and compassion to His people. The verse states: "I will plant her for Myself in the land, and I will have compassion on 'No Compassion' (Lo-Ruhamah). I will say to those called 'Not My People' (Lo-Ammi), 'You are My people,' and they will say, 'You are my God.'" (Hosea 2:23).

Theological Significance

The transformation from "Lo-Ruhamah" to "Ruhamah" is deeply significant in the theological narrative of the Bible. It underscores the themes of judgment and redemption, illustrating that while God is just and must address sin, His ultimate desire is to restore and redeem His people. The name Ruhamah embodies the hope and promise of God's unfailing love and mercy, even in the face of human failure.

This theme is consistent with the broader biblical message of God's covenant faithfulness. Despite Israel's repeated unfaithfulness, God remains committed to His covenant promises, offering forgiveness and restoration to those who turn back to Him. The account of Ruhamah serves as a reminder of the transformative power of God's grace and the possibility of renewal for all who seek His mercy.

Application for Believers

For contemporary believers, the account of Ruhamah is a powerful reminder of God's compassion and the hope of redemption. It encourages individuals to trust in God's mercy, even when they have strayed from His path. The narrative invites believers to embrace the transformative power of God's love, which can turn "not loved" into "loved" and "not my people" into "my people."

In personal and communal contexts, the message of Ruhamah calls Christians to reflect on their own need for God's mercy and to extend that same compassion to others. It challenges the faithful to live in a way that reflects God's redemptive love, offering hope and restoration to a world in need.Ruhamah

having obtained mercy

Having obtained mercy, a symbolical name given to the daughter of Hosea (2:1). RUHAMAH

roo-ha'-ma, roo-ha'-ma: See LO-RUHAMAH, the symbolical name of Hosea's daughter (Hosea 1:6, 8).

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

7355. racham -- to love, have compassion
... had compassion (1), have mercy (2), have pity (1), have...compassion (3),
have...mercy (2), love (1), mercy (1), obtained compassion (1), Ruhamah (1), show ...
/hebrew/7355.htm - 6k

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

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

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

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

Ruhamah (1 Occurrence)
...RUHAMAH. roo-ha'-ma, roo-ha'-ma: See LO-RUHAMAH, the symbolical name of Hosea's
daughter (Hosea 1:6, 8). Multi-Version Concordance Ruhamah (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/ruhamah.htm - 7k

Lo-ruhamah (3 Occurrences)
Lo-ruhamah. Loruhamah, Lo-ruhamah. Lose . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. LO-RUHAMAH. lo-roo-ha'-ma, lo-roo-ha'-ma. See LO-AMMI. ...
/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

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-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

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 People in the Bible (All) | GotQuestions.org

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