Ver. 25. "_And I sow her unto Me in the land, and I have mercy upon her 'who had not obtained mercy'_ (Lo-Ruhamah); _and I say to 'not My people'_ (Lo-Ammi), _Thou art My people, and they say to Me, My God._"
The three symbolical names of the children of the prophet here once more return. The _femin. suffix_ in [Hebrew: zretih], referring to [Hebrew: izreal], need not at all surprise us; for, in the whole passage before us, the sign disappears in the thing signified. In point of fact, however, _Jezreel_ is equivalent to Israel to be sowed anew. (It is not the Israel to be _planted_ anew, which is a figure altogether different; the sowing has always a reference to the increase.)
Footnote 1: In our authorized version [Hebrew: mwpT] is almost constantly rendered by "_judgment_," although evidently in the sense pointed out by the author,--for which reason, this rendering has been retained here.--Tr.
"The significant couple returns for a new reference" (_Rückert_). First, in vers. 1-3, the symbolical action is reported. At the command of the Lord, the prophet takes a wife, who, notwithstanding his affectionate and faithful love, lives in continued adultery. He does not entirely reject her; but, in order that she may come to recovery and repentance, he puts her into a position where she must abstain from her lovers. The interpretation of the symbol is given in ver. 4: Israel, forsaken by the world, shall spend a long time in sad seclusion. A glance into the more distant future, without any symbolical imagery, forms the conclusion. The punishment will at length produce conversion. Israel returns to the Lord his God, and to David his king.
Ver. 1. "_Then said the Lord unto me, Go again, love a_ [Pg 274] _woman beloved of her friend, and an adulteress, as the Lord loveth the sons of Israel, and they turn to other gods and love grape-cakes._"