Hosea 1 11

Hosea 1:11 kjv

Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.

Hosea 1:11 nkjv

Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel Shall be gathered together, And appoint for themselves one head; And they shall come up out of the land, For great will be the day of Jezreel!

Hosea 1:11 niv

The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together; they will appoint one leader and will come up out of the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel.

Hosea 1:11 esv

And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head. And they shall go up from the land, for great shall be the day of Jezreel.

Hosea 1:11 nlt

Then the people of Judah and Israel will unite together. They will choose one leader for themselves, and they will return from exile together. What a day that will be ? the day of Jezreel ? when God will again plant his people in his land.

Hosea 1 verses

Hosea 1 11 Meaning

Hosea 1:11 pronounces a profound future restoration for the scattered people of God. It foretells the reunification of the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel, who will collectively appoint a singular leader. This restored nation will then emerge from their state of exile or subjugation, signifying a divinely orchestrated new exodus and spiritual renewal. The verse culminates in the declaration that this future event will be a "great day of Jezreel," transforming a name previously associated with judgment and scattering into a symbol of divine sowing and abundant blessing.

Hosea 1 11 Context

Hosea 1:11 immediately follows a dramatic shift in God's declaration. In Hosea 1:2-9, the names of Hosea's children—Jezreel, Lo-Ruhamah (no mercy), and Lo-Ammi (not my people)—symbolized God's impending judgment on Israel for their spiritual unfaithfulness. However, verses 1:10-11 present a radical reversal of these judgments. Verse 1:10 promises that "the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea," and "in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it shall be said to them, ‘Children of the living God.’" Hosea 1:11 builds directly upon this promise of restoration, focusing specifically on the re-unification and re-establishment of the fragmented nation, indicating a comprehensive healing from both political division and the consequences of sin. Historically, at the time of Hosea's prophecy, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was rife with idolatry, political instability, and defiance of God's covenant, while Judah often followed suit. This verse offers a beacon of hope for a future, divinely-initiated healing for both parts of the nation.

Hosea 1 11 Word analysis

• And the children of Judah (וּבְנֵי יְהוּדָה - Uvnei Yehudah): "Benei" means 'sons' or 'children of.' Refers to the Southern Kingdom, which often included Benjamin and some Levites, carrying the royal lineage of David.
• and the children of Israel (וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - Uvnei Yisrael): Refers to the Northern Kingdom (sometimes called Ephraim), distinct from Judah since the kingdom's division after Solomon (1 Kgs 12). The rejoining signifies the reversal of the historical schism.
• shall be gathered together (נִקְבְּצוּ - niqbeṣū): Niphal perfect of qavats (to gather). The Niphal indicates a passive voice, suggesting they will be gathered, emphasizing that God is the primary agent behind this reunification, even if not explicitly stated in this word. The perfect tense in prophecy implies the certainty of its future accomplishment.
• and appoint for themselves (וְשָׂמוּ לָהֶם - vesamu lahem): Kal perfect of sum (to place, set, appoint). The "lahem" (for themselves) indicates a willing acceptance or decision by the unified people to have this "one head," rather than it being imposed without their consent. It suggests a future recognition of God's appointed leader.
• one head (רֹאשׁ אֶחָד - rosh echad): "Rosh" means head, chief, leader, beginning. "Echad" means one, united. This is a critical prophetic term signifying a single leader, directly counteracting the fragmentation and instability of Israel and Judah's multiple, often wicked, kings. It points strongly towards a Messianic king, a unified sovereign over a restored people.
• and they shall come up out of the land (וְעָלוּ מִן־הָאָרֶץ - ve'alu min-ha'aretz): Kal perfect of alah (to go up, ascend, come out). This echoes the "Exodus" theme, signifying liberation from captivity or exile. "Ha'aretz" (the land) likely refers to the land of their dispersion or captivity, from which they will return to their own land. It implies both a physical return and a rise from oppression.
• for great (כִּי־גָדוֹל - ki gadol): "Ki" (for, surely) introduces the reason or emphatic explanation. "Gadol" (great, mighty) highlights the immense significance and scale of the coming event.
• shall be the day of Jezreel (יוֹם יִזְרְעֶאל - yom yizra'el): This is a pivotal transformation. In Hos 1:4-5, "Jezreel" was pronounced as a name of judgment, signifying God's scattering and breaking of Israel. Here, it is repurposed from a valley of bloodshed and scattering ("God scatters") to a place and time of new beginning and divine blessing ("God sows"). The "day" suggests a significant era or climax of this restoration. This is a prophetic reversal where divine judgment turns into a foundation for blessing, as God sows His people positively in their land.

Hosea 1 11 Bonus section

• The Hebrew perfect tense often carries the sense of completed action, implying the absolute certainty and settled nature of these future events from God's perspective. What is foretold will happen.
• The transition from Hos 1:9 ("not my people") to Hos 1:10-11 ("children of the living God," reunification, restoration) is one of the most abrupt and powerful shifts from judgment to grace in the Old Testament, showcasing God's sovereign prerogative to extend mercy and restore His covenant relationship.
• The concept of "one head" or "one shepherd" finds significant resonance in later prophets, particularly Ezekiel's vision of the two sticks becoming one (Ezek 37:15-28), explicitly naming "my servant David" as the one king over all. This consistently points to the Davidic covenant and its Messianic fulfillment.
• While initially referring to the geopolitical reunification of Judah and Israel, the broader spiritual principle of gathering a diverse people under one divine head foreshadows the New Testament concept of the church, where believers from all nations are united in Christ as the Head.

Hosea 1 11 Commentary

Hosea 1:11 offers a radical and beautiful reversal of God's judgment against Israel and Judah. Following the pronouncements of names signifying disfavor—Jezreel (scattering), Lo-Ruhamah (no mercy), and Lo-Ammi (not My people)—this verse, building on the hope of Hosea 1:10, announces a comprehensive restoration. The most striking element is the prophesied reunification of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah), a long-awaited reconciliation after centuries of division and animosity. This re-gathering implies a divine intervention that overcomes historical disunity.

The unified people will "appoint for themselves one head." This "one head" points definitively to a singular, righteous leader, fulfilling the Davidic covenant and signaling an end to the corrupt and fragmented leadership that characterized much of Israel's history. While this could initially refer to a re-established Davidic monarchy in general, its ultimate and truest fulfillment points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the promised 'Shepherd' and 'King' of a unified people of God, comprising both believing Jews and Gentiles in the church.

"They shall come up out of the land" signifies not just a return from physical exile (like the Babylonian captivity), but also a spiritual resurgence—a new exodus, a rising from a state of sin and brokenness into new life. It implies freedom from bondage and re-establishment in the land promised by God. The climax, "for great shall be the day of Jezreel," is a masterful example of prophetic wordplay and transformation. Jezreel, once associated with Jehu's bloody purge and God's judgment of scattering (Hos 1:4-5), is redefined. The root meaning of "Jezreel" (God sows) now shifts from scattering as punishment to divine sowing for blessing, growth, and prosperity. It symbolizes a time when God's intention moves from breaking down to building up, from judgment to abundant fruitfulness. This prophecy offers a universal message of hope: even from the deepest judgment and division, God's redemptive purpose can bring about profound unity, righteous leadership, and ultimate blessing.

Examples:

• A fragmented church community putting aside differences to embrace a single, unifying spiritual leader, focusing on shared biblical truth.
• Individuals formerly "scattered" by sin and separate from God, coming together as "children of the living God" under the headship of Christ.
• The promise reminds believers that God's plans for ultimate reconciliation and restoration are greater than any present division or despair.