Historical context of Hosea

Who wrote Hosea, when, and to whom — and how that shapes the way we read it today.

Author

Hosea

Date written

c. 750-710 BC

Original audience

Northern Israel.

Genre

Prophecy

Testament

Old Testament

Chapters

14

Background and setting

8th-century BC northern kingdom.

Why it matters today

Understanding the world Hosea was written into helps us read it on its own terms — and apply it faithfully to our lives now. God spoke through real people, in real history, for the lasting good of His people in every generation.

Read the overview of Hosea or jump into chapter 1.