Hosea 1:4

Jezreel. The meaning of the Hebrew name is “God will sow,” or “God will scatter.” Some have pointed out the play on ideas in the Hebrew name itself. Because anciently seed was scattered in the process of sowing, the word “to scatter” came also to have the meaning “to sow,” or “to plant.” The first meaning of the name Jezreel applied to the time of Gomer’s unfaithfulness, as a result of which Hosea “scattered,” or hindered, her, that is, hedged her up and restricted her privileges. Later, when she repented, Hosea “planted” her, that is, he restored her to her former status and privileges (see on ch. 2:22). Also there is a typical Hebrew play on words in the contrast of the word Jezreel with the word Israel: the latter has reference to prevailing with God for salvation (see on Gen. 32:28), the former, as used here, is a reference to being scattered by God unto destruction. The names of the prophet’s three children are significant, pointing as they do to God’s punishment of His people for their sins.

Avenge. Literally, “visit”; here used in the sense of administering punishment (see on Ps. 8:4; 59:5).

Blood of Jezreel. At the command of God, Jehu had exterminated the whole house of Ahab in the city of Jezreel (2 Kings 9:6, 7; 10:17). Why, then, should Jehu’s action be avenged? Very likely because his motive in destroying the dynasty of Ahab was sinful.

To destroy the house of Ahab fitted into Jehu’s selfish desire to obtain the kingdom.

God’s purpose in exterminating the house of Ahab was to blot out completely the idolatry so generally provoked by Ahab and Jezreel. Although Jehu brought to an end the worship of Baal, he still retained the worship of Jeroboam’s calves (see 2 Kings 10:21-31). This half fulfillment of the divine command revealed a divided heart, and so brought upon Jehu the greater condemnation, since it nullified the divine objective. He placed his own purposes before those of God, and so the sentence was pronounced upon him, “I will avenge.” A man may be employed by God to accomplish a divine purpose, and yet be rejected if his heart is not right.

House of Jehu. Jehu’s son (Jehoahaz), his grandson (Jehoash or Joash), and his great-grandson (Jeroboam II) followed him on Israel’s throne; then Shallum slew the son of Jeroboam II, Zachariah, ending this royal line (2 Kings 15:8-12). Thus was fulfilled both Hosea’s prophecy and the previous word of the Lord unto Jehu (see on 2 Kings 10:30).

Cause to cease. This follows because the event that ended the house of Jehu, the assassination of Zachariah, began the period of political confusion that quickly ushered in the downfall of the northern kingdom (see Vol. II, pp. 84, 85). The pronounced secular prosperity of the nation under Jeroboam II was not an evidence of divine favor. The ultimate result of disobedience was the same then as now — destruction.