When was Hosea written?

The prophet Hosea ministered to the northern kingdom of Israel during the eighth century BC. It was a time marked by spiritual and moral decline. His message centered on God’s faithfulness despite Israel’s unfaithfulness. Hosea compared Israel’s unfaithfulness to the morals of a prostitute, using his own marriage to his unfaithful wife, Gomer, as a powerful picture (Hosea 1—3). He likely wrote the book between 755 and 710 BC, during this period of national idolatry.

Identifying Hosea as the book’s author helps determine when he wrote it. Hosea 1:1 reads, “The word of the Lord that came to Hosea son of Beeri.” The verse dates his ministry by listing certain kings of Judah—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—as well as Jeroboam son of Joash (i.e., Jeroboam II), who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel.

The first king mentioned, Uzziah, began his reign in 792 BC, and the last, Hezekiah, concluded his reign in 686 BC. These dates provide a broad timeline for Hosea’s ministry. Most scholars believe he began prophesying around 750 BC. The inclusion of Jeroboam II, who ruled in Israel from about 793 to 753 BC, fits this timeframe. It suggests Hosea’s ministry began during the latter part of Jeroboam’s reign and continued beyond it.

Additional clues within the book help clarify its date. For instance, the prophet refers to historical circumstances that place his ministry during the reign of Jeroboam II. At that time, Israel suffered from political instability, unwise alliances, and widespread moral and spiritual decay. Hosea, who often refers to Israel as “Ephraim,” criticizes the nation’s shifting alliances with Egypt and Assyria. He writes, “Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless—now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria” (Hosea 7:11). References like this show that Hosea ministered before the northern kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 BC.

Geographic references in Hosea offer further evidence of the book’s date. His descriptions of the northern territory suggest a firsthand account. For example, he wrote, “Do not go to Gilgal; do not go up to Beth Aven”—Beth Aven (“house of wickedness”) being a derogatory term for Bethel, which meant “house of God.” The places Hosea mentions, along with cities like Samaria and Gilead, were active in the northern kingdom. Such references indicate Hosea was describing a functioning nation rather than one already conquered. These details indicate that the book was written before the Assyrian deportations.

Many scholars believe Hosea was a prophet at the same time as Amos, Isaiah, and Micah. The beginning of each of their books lists some of the same kings, and their messages talk about the same problems in Israel and Judah during the eighth century BC. Amos mentions Uzziah and Jeroboam II (Amos 1:1). Isaiah names Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1). Micah includes Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Micah 1:1).

Hosea’s message called Israel to repent of their sin and return to God. If they did, they would discover that He is loving, merciful, and kind. As God declared through the prophet, “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them” (Hosea 14:4). Their restoration would bring individual healing and national blessing.