Who was Osee?

Osee is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hosea (Greek: Ὠσηέ Ōsēe; Hebrew: הוֹשֵׁעַ Hôšēaʿ), which means “salvation” or “deliverance.” In Romans 9:25, the apostle Paul references Osee when quoting from the Old Testament prophet Hosea. This citation is part of Paul’s theological argument about God‘s sovereign mercy in choosing whom He wills to be His people—both Jews and Gentiles.

Osee (Hosea) was a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel during the 8th century B.C., whose prophetic ministry is recorded in the Old Testament book that bears his name. He was commanded by God to marry a woman named Gomer, whose unfaithfulness served as a living illustration of Israel’s spiritual adultery against the LORD. Through Hosea, God communicated both judgment and unfailing covenant love.

In Romans 9:25-26, Paul draws from Hosea 2:23 and Hosea 1:10 to affirm that God would call “those who were not my people, ‘my people,’” extending mercy and inclusion to the Gentiles. Paul’s use of Osee is theological and prophetic, illustrating the inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s redemptive plan and underscoring God’s prerogative in salvation.

Biblical References and Cross-References

• Romans 9:25-26 – Paul cites Hosea: “As he says in Osee, I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one.”

• Hosea 1:10 – “In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”

• Hosea 2:23 – “I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’”

• Cross-references: 1 Peter 2:10, Ephesians 2:11-13, Isaiah 10:22-23, Deuteronomy 7:6-8.

What Happened in the Bible

The prophet Hosea’s ministry took place during a time of deep spiritual decay in Israel. God instructed Hosea to marry Gomer, who would prove unfaithful, as a symbolic act illustrating Israel’s betrayal of their covenant with God through idolatry and alliances with pagan nations.

Despite Gomer’s adultery, Hosea was commanded to love her and take her back, showcasing the persistent and redeeming love of God toward His wayward people. Hosea’s prophecy unfolds with strong rebukes and declarations of coming judgment but is ultimately saturated with hope and restoration.

When Paul references Osee in Romans 9, he uses Hosea’s prophetic message to show that God‘s mercy is not restricted by ethnicity or lineage. In the gospel era, both Jews and Gentiles become part of God’s people—not by heritage or law, but by God’s sovereign mercy.

Meaning for Today’s Christians

The reference to Osee reminds Christians that salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace. God is not obligated to save based on ancestry or religious background. Instead, He calls sinners—those who were once “not His people”—into a relationship with Himself through faith in Jesus Christ.

This passage reassures believers of God‘s initiating love. No matter how far someone has strayed or how disqualified they may feel, God is able and willing to call them His own. Just as Hosea pursued his unfaithful wife, God pursues His people with redeeming love.

For Christians today, Osee teaches that our identity is not rooted in past failures or present struggles, but in God’s unchanging mercy. Once estranged, we are now beloved children through Christ.

How the Story Points to Jesus and the Gospel

Hosea’s life and message point directly to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Hosea redeemed Gomer despite her unfaithfulness, Jesus, the true Bridegroom, redeems His people from sin and spiritual adultery through His sacrificial love.

Jesus is the fulfillment of Hosea’s prophetic theme: He embodies God‘s covenant faithfulness and demonstrates mercy to both Jews and Gentiles. By His death and resurrection, Jesus brings near those who were far off (Ephesians 2:13), calling them beloved and making them His people.

Paul’s citation of Osee in Romans 9 reveals that the inclusion of the Gentiles into the family of God was always part of God‘s redemptive plan—a plan now realized in Christ.

Broader Biblical Themes

• God’s Sovereign Grace – Romans 9 centers on the theme that God chooses His people based on His own will and mercy, not human effort or descent.

• Redemptive Love – Hosea’s marriage to Gomer illustrates God’s faithful love toward unfaithful people.

• Inclusion of the Gentiles – The prophetic declarations in Hosea foretold the future gathering of Gentiles into the people of God.

• Restoration and Hope – Even in judgment, God offers restoration and relationship to those who turn to Him.

• New Identity in Christ – Those once alienated are now called “children of the living God.”

Reflection Questions

1. What does the story of Osee (Hosea) reveal about God‘s attitude toward unfaithfulness and restoration?

2. How does Paul’s use of Hosea in Romans 9 expand your understanding of God’s mercy?

3. In what ways does your life reflect the hope that, through Christ, those who were “not God’s people” can be called “His people”?

4. How can Hosea’s example inspire Christians to show undeserved love and forgiveness in their relationships?

5. Are there areas in your life where you’ve doubted God’s ability to redeem or restore? How does Hosea’s story speak to those doubts?

6. How does understanding God‘s covenant love impact the way you relate to Him daily?

7. What does the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan say about the mission of the church today?

8. In light of God‘s mercy, how should Christians view their identity and worth?

9. What are practical ways you can reflect God’s faithfulness in a world marked by broken promises?

10. How does the gospel of Jesus Christ fulfill the prophetic message of Hosea?

Osee, though only briefly mentioned in Romans 9, carries with it the full weight of a prophetic message that reveals God‘s redemptive heart. His name—“salvation”—finds its ultimate meaning in the gospel of Jesus Christ, where mercy triumphs over judgment and grace calls the undeserving “My people.”