Hosea 2:19-20

Hosea 2:19-20

[19] And I will betroth  thee unto me for ever;  yea, I will betroth  thee unto me in righteousness,  and in judgment,  and in lovingkindness,  and in mercies.  [20] I will even betroth  thee unto me in faithfulness:  and thou shalt know  the LORD. 

What does Hosea 2:19-20 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

It would be as though Yahweh and Israel began life anew as husband and wife. [1] They would return to the courtship days and start again as an engaged couple. In the ancient Near East a man paid a price to seal the agreement when he became engaged (cf. 2 Samuel 3:14), and people regarded the couple as good as married in the eyes of the law. What the Lord vowed to give Israel to seal this nuptial agreement was righteousness (what was right), justice (fair treatment), loyal love (unswerving commitment), compassion (tender affection), and faithfulness (dependability). This was God"s marriage vow for Israel. In response, Israel would recognize her special relationship to Him and show this by faithfully obeying Him (cf. Jeremiah 31:31-34).