Hos 2:19-20 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Hos 2:19-20: 2:19-20 I will make you my wife: This Hebrew verb, used three times in these verses, can be translated with our seldom-used word betroth . In the ancient world, betrothal entailed all the legal steps of a marriage, including the payment of a bride price by the groom. The only thing missing was the marriage ceremony and sexual consummation. The Lord vowed to betroth Israel to himself forever . To ensure the eternal nature of this new marriage, God provided a bride price that included five priceless qualities: righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion , and faithfulness. As a result, the Lord said, Israel will finally know me (cp. 2:13 ).

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‏ Hosea 2:19-20

Summary for Hos 2:19-20: 2:19-20 ^a I will make you my wife: This Hebrew verb, used three times in these verses, can be translated with our seldom-used word betroth. In the ancient world, betrothal entailed all the legal steps of a marriage, including the payment of a bride price by the groom. The only thing missing was the marriage ceremony and sexual consummation. The Lord vowed to betroth Israel to himself forever. To ensure the eternal nature of this new marriage, God provided a bride price that included five priceless qualities: righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion, and faithfulness. As a result, the Lord said, Israel will finally know me (cp. 2:13 ^b).