Hosea 2 21

Hosea 2:21 kjv

And it shall come to pass in that day, I will hear, saith the LORD, I will hear the heavens, and they shall hear the earth;

Hosea 2:21 nkjv

"It shall come to pass in that day That I will answer," says the LORD; "I will answer the heavens, And they shall answer the earth.

Hosea 2:21 niv

"In that day I will respond," declares the LORD? "I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth;

Hosea 2:21 esv

"And in that day I will answer, declares the LORD, I will answer the heavens, and they shall answer the earth,

Hosea 2:21 nlt

"In that day, I will answer,"
says the LORD.
"I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds.
And the sky will answer the earth with rain.

Hosea 2 verses

Hosea 2 21 Meaning

Hosea 2:21 describes a pivotal moment of divine restoration and prosperity for Israel, promised by God. After a period of judgment, the LORD declares He will personally intervene to re-establish the cosmic order and ensure agricultural abundance. This verse initiates a chain of divine action: God answers the heavens (by commanding them to give rain), and the heavens, in turn, answer the earth (by providing the necessary moisture). This signifies God's complete control over nature's bounty and His commitment to blessing His covenanted people with physical provision, demonstrating that true fertility and prosperity come from Him alone, not from pagan deities.

Hosea 2 21 Context

Hosea 2:21 is found within a profound passage of restoration in the book of Hosea. Chapter 2 opens with God's stern judgment against unfaithful Israel, portrayed as a harlot (Gomer), for her spiritual adultery through Baal worship and reliance on other nations. God threatens to strip her bare and take away her blessings. However, from verse 14, a radical shift occurs as God declares His enduring covenant love. He promises to lure Israel back into the wilderness, speak tenderly to her, and restore their relationship. The promises include a new covenant (2:18-20), restoration of physical blessings (peace, fertility, safety), and ultimately, reconciliation where Israel will call Him "My Husband."

Verse 21 is a crucial component of this promise of renewal, focusing on the restoration of agricultural prosperity. Historically, ancient Israel was an agrarian society deeply dependent on rainfall for its sustenance. The cultural context involved pervasive Baal worship, where Baal was considered the storm god responsible for rain and fertility. By stating that He will answer the heavens, and they will answer the earth, God directly confronts this pagan belief system. He asserts His exclusive sovereignty over all creation, demonstrating that all provision and fertility derive directly from Him and not from idols. This promise marks the reversal of the curses brought by unfaithfulness and underscores God's ability to restore a broken world.

Hosea 2 21 Word analysis

• And it will be (וְהָיָה - ve-haya): This introductory phrase marks a significant future event. It often signals a prophetic turning point, indicating that what follows is a divinely determined occurrence. Here, it denotes the commencement of God's redemptive actions after judgment.

• in that day (בַיּוֹם הַהוּא - bay-yom ha-hu): A recurring prophetic idiom that typically refers to a specific, often eschatological, future time of God's decisive intervention, whether in judgment or salvation. In this context, it points to a divinely appointed period of restoration for Israel.

• I will answer (אֶעֱנֶה - e'eneh): The verb anah means to respond, answer, or give attention. The first person singular I emphatically states God's direct, personal, and sovereign involvement. The repetition of this verb ("I will answer... I will answer") is a literary device to stress God's absolute certainty, resolve, and power in fulfilling this promise. It highlights that this action originates solely with Him.

• declares the LORD (נְאֻם־יְהוָה - ne'um-YHWH): This is a classic prophetic formula, emphasizing the divine origin and absolute authority of the statement. YHWH (the covenant name for God) underscores His faithful and unchanging character as the covenant-keeping God.

• the heavens (הַשָּׁמַיִם - ha-shamayim): Refers to the sky, the celestial realm. In an agricultural society, the heavens are directly linked to rain and atmospheric conditions, crucial for life. This phrase implies God's command over the forces of nature that supply water.

• and they (וְהֵם - ve-hem): The pronoun refers directly to "the heavens," showing the direct response and obedience of creation to God's command.

• they shall answer (יַעֲנוּ - ya'anu): The same verb root as e'eneh. Here, it describes the heavens' immediate and submissive response to God's will. The heavens will not hold back; they will pour forth rain.

• the earth (אֶת־הָאָרֶץ - et-ha'aretz): Refers to the land, specifically the land of Israel, which relies on the heavens for moisture and fertility. The earth's response is to yield its produce when watered. This forms a perfect cosmic sequence of supply.

• "I will answer the heavens, and they shall answer the earth": This phrase paints a vivid picture of a re-established cosmic chain of provision. God commands the heavens (His intermediary for rain), and the heavens respond by watering the earth. This sequence ensures the ultimate prosperity of the land, reversing the barrenness and famine that resulted from Israel's sin. It underscores God's omnipotence and highlights that true blessings flow directly from Him, establishing a new harmony in creation tied to a renewed relationship with His people.

Hosea 2 21 Bonus section

The broader context of Hosea 2:21-22 illustrates a divinely initiated and ordered chain of supply, a 'cosmic supply chain.' It starts with the LORD (I will answer), moving through the intermediate heavens (they shall answer), to the earth, which then yields produce like grain, new wine, and oil (which shall answer the grain, the wine, and the oil). These products then finally sustain Jezreel (and they shall answer Jezreel), a name that in Hosea had previously been associated with judgment but is here redeemed and reinterpreted as 'God sows' or 'God plants.' This powerful redefinition implies that God will once again sow His people in the land, not for destruction, but for multiplication and flourishing. The verse not only promises material blessing but also points towards a complete reconciliation between God and His creation, where all things operate in harmonious obedience to His word.

Hosea 2 21 Commentary

Hosea 2:21 encapsulates a profound promise of restoration, showcasing the LORD's supreme sovereignty over all creation and His unyielding commitment to His covenant. It follows God's disciplinary actions against Israel's idolatry and spiritual infidelity, moving from judgment to an unprecedented outpouring of grace and renewal. The repeated "I will answer" underscores God's absolute resolve and active engagement in orchestrating this restoration. This is not a passive waiting for nature to heal itself, but a deliberate divine command.

By asserting that He will answer the heavens, and they in turn the earth, God directly counters the false gods of Canaan, particularly Baal, whom the Israelites had erroneously credited with controlling rain and fertility. The prophecy definitively declares YHWH as the sole orchestrator of natural abundance, rendering all pagan cults powerless and irrelevant. The chain of supply – God speaking to the heavens, the heavens raining upon the earth – beautifully illustrates the perfect order God restores to His creation for the sake of His people. This promise is about far more than just agricultural prosperity; it signifies the healing of the relationship between God, His people, and the very land itself. It indicates a restoration of Eden-like fertility and a peace that impacts every facet of their existence, confirming that their true well-being is entirely dependent on their covenant relationship with the living God. Practically, this reminds believers that God remains the ultimate source of provision in every aspect of life, even amidst trials. When we return to Him, He orchestrates resources, situations, and even natural elements to meet our needs.