Lo-Ruhama was the daughter of the prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer. Her name, meaning 'not loved' or 'without mercy,' served as a prophetic sign that God would temporarily withhold His mercy from the northern kingdom of Israel due to their apostasy and idolatry.
Lo-Ruhama was born as Hosea's second child, and God commanded that she be given this name as a sign that He would no longer show mercy to the house of Israel.
6She conceived again and bore a daughter. And the LORD said to him, "Name her No Mercy, for I will no longer show mercy to the house of Israel; I will certainly not forgive them.[^1]
[^1]: Or "that I should in any way forgive them"; the Hebrew clause is difficult and has also been understood as "I will utterly take them away."
6She conceived again and bore a daughter. And the LORD said to him, "Name her No Mercy, for I will no longer show mercy to the house of Israel; I will certainly not forgive them.[^1]
[^1]: Or "that I should in any way forgive them"; the Hebrew clause is difficult and has also been understood as "I will utterly take them away."
7But I will show mercy to the house of Judah, and I will save them by the LORD their God. I will not save them by bow or sword or battle, by horses or horsemen."
1Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And in the place where it was said to them, "You are not my people," it will be said to them, "Children of the living God."