3:1–5 This short prose piece, composed by Hosea himself (in contrast to 1:2–9, which comes from another hand) is really an explication, through a symbolic action on the prophet’s part, of the meaning of 2:2–23. It spells out in relation to one individual wife what Yahweh will do to his wife Israel as a whole, and indeed, it initiates that action. Thus, it may have been performed at the same time that the pieces in 2:2–23 were delivered, so that word and symbolic action together began to set in motion the fulfillment of God’s purpose for this people.

There is no specific mention that a divorce has taken place. Thus, Gomer’s relations with her “friend,” a word which may be used of a desired lover (cf. Jer. 3:1, 20 Hb.; Song Sol. 5:16), are indeed “adulterous.” She is still married to the pr…