In brief
Gomer is the daughter of Diblaim, whom the prophet Hosea marries at the LORD's command. She bears him children, then is unfaithful to him. God then asks Hosea to love her again, despite her adultery, and Hosea buys her back for fifteen shekels of silver, a homer of barley and a lethech of barley. This story serves as a living picture: Israel turned away from the LORD, but God keeps loving it and bringing it back to himself. It foreshadows the love that redeems.
What does the name Gomer mean?
The name Gomer is generally linked to a Hebrew word that evokes completion or fullness, but the Bible does not explain this name. It gives only her family tie: Hosea went and took Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim (Hosea 1:3).
The story of Gomer
A difficult command from the LORD
Hosea 1:2-3When the LORD first speaks to Hosea, he tells him to take a wife of prostitution and children of prostitution, for the land is forsaking the LORD. Hosea obeys and takes Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim. She conceives and bears him a son.
Children with prophetic names
Hosea 1:4-9Gomer bears a son named Jezreel, then a daughter called Lo-Ruhamah, meaning "not shown mercy," then another son called Lo-Ammi, meaning "not my people." These names warn Israel, which has drifted from God. Each child's name becomes a message from the LORD to the whole people.
Love a woman who is an adulteress again
Hosea 3:1The LORD tells Hosea to go again and love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, just as the LORD loves the children of Israel. Hosea's love for his unfaithful wife becomes a mirror of God's love for his people.
The redemption and the promise
Hosea 3:2-5Hosea buys her back for fifteen shekels of silver and some barley, and asks her to remain faithful to him for many days. The text announces that Israel will remain many days without king or sacrifice, then will return and seek the LORD their God, and will come trembling to his goodness.
What Gomer teaches us
- God's love is stronger than his people's unfaithfulness.
- God redeems at great cost what had sold itself and gone astray.
- A prophet's obedience can become a living message for a whole people.
- Gomer's story points to Christ, who pays our debt to bring us home.
Key verses
Hosea takes Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, who conceives and bears him a son. This verse marks the beginning of the story of this couple, intended by God as a picture of Israel.
The LORD asks Hosea to love an adulterous woman again, just as he himself loves Israel, which turns to other gods. This is the heart of the book's message.
The children of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God. They will come trembling to his goodness. Restoration is promised after discipline.
Sermons about Gomer
Frequently asked questions
Who was Gomer in the Bible?
Gomer is the wife of the prophet Hosea, the daughter of Diblaim. She is unfaithful to him, and Hosea buys her back at the LORD's command (Hosea 1 and 3). Their story is a picture of God's faithful love for Israel, which had turned away from him.
What does the name Gomer mean?
Her name is generally linked to a Hebrew word that evokes completion. The Bible gives no explanation of this name. The names of the couple's children, however, are explained by the LORD (Hosea 1:4-9). It is therefore better to stay cautious about the meaning of hers.
Where can I find the story of Gomer in the Bible?
Her story is found in the book of Hosea: her marriage to the prophet and the birth of her children in Hosea 1, then the buying back of the adulterous woman by Hosea in Hosea 3:1-5. Chapter 2 develops the message addressed to Israel.