A wife of fornications... That is, a wife that has been given to fornication. This was to represent the Lord's proceedings with his people Israel, who, by spiritual fornication, were continually offending him.-Ibid. Children of fornications... So called from the character of their mother, if not also from their own wicked dispositions.
1:3. So he went and took Gomer, the daughter of Debelaim: and she conceived, and bore him a son.
1:4. And the Lord said to him: Call his name Jezrahel: for yet a little while, and I will visit the blood of Jezrahel upon the house of Jehu, and I will cause to cease the kingdom of the house of Israel.
1:5. And in that day I will break in pieces the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezrahel.
1:6. And she conceived again, and bore a daughter, and he said to him: Call her name, Without mercy: for I will not add any more to have mercy on the house of Israel, but I will utterly forget them.
Without mercy... Lo-Ruhamah.
1:7. And I will have mercy on the house of Juda, and I will save them by the Lord, their God: and I will not save them by bow, nor by sword, nor by battle, nor by horses, nor by horsemen.
1:8. And she weaned her that was called Without mercy. And she conceived, and bore a son.
1:9. And he said: Call his name, Not my people: for you are not my people, and I will not be yours.
Not my people... Lo-ammi.