Hosea 2:25 (Hosea 2:23)

וּזְרַעְתִּ֤יהָ לִּי֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ וְרִֽחַמְתִּ֖י אֶת־לֹ֣א רֻחָ֑מָה וְאָמַרְתִּ֤י לְלֹֽא־עַמִּי֙ עַמִּי־אַ֔תָּה וְה֖וּא יֹאמַ֥ר אֱלֹהָֽי׃ פ

And I will sow her for Me in the land, and I will have compassion on Lo Ruḥama, and I will say to Lo-ʿammi, ‘You are My people,’ and he shall say, ‘My God.’”

Morphology

1. וּזְרַעְתִּיהָ (u-zeraʿtihah) – Root: זרע (z-r-ʿ); Form: Qal perfect 1cs + 3fs suffix with conjunction וּ; Translation: “and I will sow her”; Notes: The verb plays on the name “Yizreʿel” (“God sows”), now reinterpreted as an act of restoration — YHWH replanting His people in the land as His possession.
2. לִּי (li) – Root: —; Form: Preposition לְ + first cs suffix; Translation: “for Me”; Notes: Expresses divine ownership and covenant intimacy — the people are “sown” for YHWH Himself.
3. בָּאָרֶץ (ba-arets) – Root: ארץ (ʾ-r-ṣ); Form: Preposition בְּ + definite noun feminine singular; Translation: “in the land”; Notes: Refers to the Promised Land, the setting of renewal and restoration after exile.
4. וְרִחַמְתִּי (ve-riḥamti) – Root: רחם (r-ḥ-m); Form: Piel perfect 1cs with conjunction וְ; Translation: “and I will have compassion”; Notes: The same root as “Lo-Ruḥamah” (“No compassion”), marking the reversal of judgment into mercy.
5. אֶת־ (ʾet) – Root: —; Form: Direct object marker; Translation: “(marks the direct object)”; Notes: Introduces the recipient of divine compassion.
6. לֹא רֻחָמָה (Lo-Ruḥamah) – Root: רחם (r-ḥ-m); Form: Proper name (negative particle + passive participle feminine singular); Translation: “Lo-Ruḥamah”; Notes: Literally “Not-pitied” or “No-compassion.” Her name’s meaning is reversed — she now receives mercy from YHWH.
7. וְאָמַרְתִּי (ve-ʾamarti) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Qal perfect 1cs with conjunction וְ; Translation: “and I will say”; Notes: Marks the divine declaration restoring covenantal relationship.
8. לְלֹא־עַמִּי (le-lo-ʿammi) – Root: עם (ʿ-m-m); Form: Preposition לְ + negative particle + noun masculine singular with 1cs suffix; Translation: “to Lo-ʿAmmi”; Notes: Means “Not-My-People.” As with Lo-Ruḥamah, this name is now reversed to express full reconciliation.
9. עַמִּי (ʿammi) – Root: עם (ʿ-m-m); Form: Noun masculine singular construct + 1cs suffix; Translation: “My people”; Notes: The restored covenant identity — YHWH claims His people once more.
10. אַתָּה (attah) – Root: —; Form: Independent pronoun 2ms; Translation: “you”; Notes: Direct address emphasizing the personal nature of YHWH’s restoration and acceptance.
11. וְהוּא (ve-hu) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction וְ + independent pronoun 3ms; Translation: “and he”; Notes: Refers to the people of Yisraʾel, personified as one man responding to YHWH’s declaration.
12. יֹאמַר (yomar) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Qal imperfect 3ms; Translation: “shall say”; Notes: Future response of acknowledgment and devotion — reciprocal covenant speech.
13. אֱלֹהָי (ʾElohai) – Root: אל (ʾ-l); Form: Noun masculine plural in construct + 1cs suffix; Translation: “My God”; Notes: The covenant relationship culminates in mutual recognition — “You are My people” / “You are My God.” This verse completes the cycle of reversal and renewal in Hosea’s symbolic family narrative.