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Hosea 2:7 Cross References
And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then was it better with me than now.
Uncover the Rich Themes and Topics of This Bible Verse
Listed below are the Bible themes associated with Hosea 2:7. We invite you to explore each theme to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures.
Hosea 2:7 Cross Reference Verses
This section features a detailed cross-reference designed to enrich your understanding of the Scriptures. Below, you will find carefully selected verses that echo the themes and teachings related to Hosea 2:7 KJV. Click on any image to explore detailed analyses of related Bible verses and uncover deeper theological insights.
Jeremiah 2:2 (KJV) »
Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.
Hosea 5:13 (KJV) »
When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound.
Ezekiel 23:4 (KJV) »
And the names of them were Aholah the elder, and Aholibah her sister: and they were mine, and they bare sons and daughters. Thus were their names; Samaria is Aholah, and Jerusalem Aholibah.
Hosea 13:6 (KJV) »
According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
Jeremiah 14:22 (KJV) »
Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.
Ezekiel 16:18 (KJV) »
And tookest thy broidered garments, and coveredst them: and thou hast set mine oil and mine incense before them.
Ezekiel 20:32 (KJV) »
And that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all, that ye say, We will be as the heathen, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
Ezekiel 16:8 (KJV) »
Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.
Ezekiel 23:22 (KJV) »
Therefore, O Aholibah, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will raise up thy lovers against thee, from whom thy mind is alienated, and I will bring them against thee on every side;
Deuteronomy 6:10 (KJV) »
And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,
Daniel 4:25 (KJV) »
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Daniel 4:17 (KJV) »
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Daniel 4:32 (KJV) »
And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Daniel 5:21 (KJV) »
And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.
Hosea 5:15 (KJV) »
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
Jeremiah 2:36 (KJV) »
Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way? thou also shalt be ashamed of Egypt, as thou wast ashamed of Assyria.
Jeremiah 31:32 (KJV) »
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Deuteronomy 32:13 (KJV) »
He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;
Deuteronomy 8:17 (KJV) »
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
2 Chronicles 28:20 (KJV) »
And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.
Nehemiah 9:25 (KJV) »
And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
Psalms 116:7 (KJV) »
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
Hosea 2:7 Verse Analysis and Similar Verses
Understanding Hosea 2:7
Hosea 2:7 states: "And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then it was better with me than now."
Overview of Hosea 2:7
This verse captures the essence of Israel's unfaithfulness to God depicted through the metaphor of a wife pursuing other lovers. It illustrates a cycle of searching for satisfaction in false gods, only to find emptiness and then a realization of the former joy found in a relationship with the true God.
Key Themes
- Unfaithfulness: Israel's spiritual infidelity is highlighted, portraying the concept of idolatry.
- Realization: The verse speaks to the eventual recognition of the futility of turning away from God.
- Hope for Restoration: The desire to return to the "first husband" symbolizes God's readiness to forgive and restore.
Bible Verse Cross-References
To deepen the understanding of Hosea 2:7, we can cross-reference it with the following verses:
- Isaiah 55:2: "Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?" This highlights the theme of seeking satisfaction in vain.
- Jeremiah 2:13: "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." A parallel depiction of idolatry and turning away from God.
- Revelation 2:4-5: "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works." This connects the theme of returning to one’s first love in faith.
- 1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or the things in the world…" This aligns with the call not to chase after the idols of the world.
- Luke 15:17: "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!'" This illustrates a moment of realization akin to the narrative in Hosea.
- Ezekiel 14:6: "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God: Repent, turn away from your idols, and turn your faces away from all your abominations.'" A call to turn back to God.
- Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." This verse offers the promise of peace for those returning to God.
Insights from Commentaries
Matthew Henry's Commentary
Matthew Henry emphasizes the spiritual adultery of Israel, describing how their pursuit of foreign gods leads to disappointment. He details that the passage illustrates the futility of chasing after worldly pleasures, which will ultimately lead to regret and yearning for a relationship with God.
Albert Barnes' Commentary
Albert Barnes points out the sorrowful follow-up of the chase for lovers that cannot fulfill. He interprets this as a direct reflection of Israel's trajectory away from their covenant with God, emphasizing the need for repentance and a return to the acknowledgment of God's fulfilling love.
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke delves into the emotional landscape of the verse, noting the inherent sadness in the realization of lost joy. He interprets the phrase "I will go and return" as an ultimate act of recognition of what true fulfillment is, indicating the joy that once was in the union with God.
Spiritual Applications
For individuals seeking deeper connections with their faith, this verse underscores the importance of fidelity to God. It serves as a reminder that turning away for worldly allure can lead to a profound sense of loss.
Conclusion
Hosea 2:7 vividly illustrates the theme of unfaithfulness, coupled with the hope of redemption and the call to return to God after pursuing empty idols. Reflection upon this verse, along with its cross-references, enriches the understanding of the intertwined narratives of faith, repentance, and restoration throughout Scripture.
Exploring the Connections
A deeper exploration of thematic Bible verse connections reveals an intricate tapestry throughout scripture, where the threads of unfaithfulness and the longing for restoration weave through both the Old and New Testaments. Cross-referencing Biblical texts facilitates a richer understanding of how God's covenant relationship with His people transcends time, reflecting in various books of the Bible.