Definition: And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to [them which were] not my people, Thou [art] my people; and they shall say, [Thou art] my God.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Hosea 2:23. It's a really powerful and important passage about forgiveness and redemption. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is going to redeem (restore) a people who are currently being treated harshly and unlovingly. He’s offering them a chance for mercy and acceptance, and he’s promising to make them his own. Let's break it down word by word: “And I will sow her unto me in the earth” : This is metaphorical. “Sow” means to plant something. So, God is going to plant a seed of love and goodness into this people’s lives. He’s going to nurture them and cultivate their hearts. “And I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy” : This is the core of the message. "Mercy" means forgiveness, compassion, and understanding. This person (the people) has been treated with harshness and lack of kindness – they haven’t received the grace and love they deserve. “Had not obtained mercy” means they didn't get it. “And I will say to [them which were] not my people, Thou [art] my people; and they shall say, [Thou art] my God.” : This is where the incredible part happens. The speaker (Hosea) is saying something profound: “You – those who haven’t received this grace – you are my people! You will acknowledge that I am their God!” What does it mean in a nutshell? It's essentially a declaration of God's unconditional love and forgiveness. He’s offering a second chance to those who have been rejected, and promising to forgive them completely. It’s about recognizing that everyone needs a chance at redemption through God's grace. The verse emphasizes that God doesn’t just tolerate wrongdoing; he actively chooses to embrace and welcome the righteous. Context in Hosea 2: This verse is part of a larger theme in Hosea – a letter from God to his estranged son, Hosea. Hosea is deeply critical of his brother, who has been unfaithful and treated Hosea poorly. The verse highlights God’s overwhelming love for His people and His willingness to forgive even those who have repeatedly offended him. In short, it's a message of hope, forgiveness, and the promise of a renewed relationship with God. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Give you some examples of what this kind of forgiveness looks like?