Hosea deals with Gomer as the Lord deals with Israel. Gomer is “a wife of whoredom” (1.2), best understood as “a promiscuous woman.” She bore three children, of whom Hosea was perhaps not the father (2.4–5). After a period of marital separation, Hosea took her back (3.1–5). In a similar way, Israel, the Lord's unfaithful wife, will be separated from her husband and home but, just as Hosea bought back Gomer (3.2), the Lord will restore Israel.
