Hosea, Joel, Amos, were contemporaries. It is most probable that Joel prophesied to Judah at the same time that Amos forewarned Israel, and that these two rather preceded Hosea, who, like Amos, was sent to the Israelites.

HOSEA (Salvation) prophesied for sixty years during the reigns of the last six kings of Israel (Jeroboam II. to Hoshea). He began to prophesy before Isaiah, with whom he was contemporary. The idolatry of Jeroboam had produced all kinds of vice; the kings were profligate; the priests had introduced shameful rites throughout the land; God was forgotten; the rulers looked to Assyria or to Egypt for help in their misfortunes, and Hosea compares their defection to the unfaithfulness of a wife to her marriage vows. His illustrations are taken from rural and domestic pursuits (e.g. snaring of birds, sowing, reaping, and threshing, baking of bread). He gives us some insight into the modes of life of that day, e.g. the women decked with earrings and jewels; the feasts and sabbaths are "days of mirth;" they sacrificed on mountain tops, burnt incense on hills, "under oaks, and poplars, and elms;" while "troops of robbers wait for a man." This book is quoted by our Lord, by the Evangelist Matthew, and the apostles Peter and Paul.

It may be divided into two parts: (1) A symbolical representation (i.—iii.) of the adoption of the people, their rebellion, rejection, conversion of the Gentiles, and final restoration of Israel. (2) Prophetic discourses, illustrated by most vivid images.