The Prophet Hosea

Hosea was one of the minor prophets of ancient Israel, who was commonly accepted [among the scholars] as being born in the Northern Kingdom; his predictions soared in the 8th century B.C.  Among the many biblical scholars and theologians, he is called the "Prophet of Divine Love". Chronologically, Hosea came after the Prophet Amos and was a contemporary with the Prophet Isaiah. 

While Isaiah was endlessly prophesying at Jerusalem (in the Southern Kingdom), Hosea was baring faithful testimony to a corrupt Israel (in the Northern Kingdom). The Prophet Jeremiah would later become to Judah what Hosea had become to Israel. The message of this prophet held a warning and condemned the people for their idolatry and sins. 

According to the Abrahamic religions, Hosea was the son of Beeri [who was also considered a prophet in Judaism]. He is considered one of the 12 prophets of the Tanakh, one of the Minor Prophets in the Christian Bible and an honorable prophet in the Qur'an.

The Jewish Talmud (Pesachim 87a) claims that Hosea was the greatest prophet of his generation and the only messenger (of his own time) who left any type of written documentation. His prophesying span over 60 years and delivered his message of destruction mainly to the Northern Kingdom of ancient Israel. He was known as one of the "prophets of doom", but underneath his dismal message also held a promise of restoration. 

In Christian tradition, Hosea was represented comparing the relations of Israel to God with that of a wife to her husband and the defection of the Israelites with a wife's adultery. The ancient prophet used his own experience as a symbolic representation of God and Israel: God the husband; Israel the wife. According to the Book of Hosea, the prophet married a prostitute named Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim (maternal lineage), at the command of the God (Hosea 1:2). While she left him to "go with other men" (likewise, Israel left their God to go with false idols), Hosea always searched for Gomer and brought her back home (likewise, God would not abandon Israel and brought them back even though they had foresaken Him).

According to Islamic literature, only some of the Hebrew prophets are acknowledged in the Qur'an, but makes it abundantly clear that many others were sent that are not mentioned. Many Muslim scholars agree that Hosea was one of the true Hebrew prophets of ancient Israel. Such classical theologians as Ibn Ishaq and modern scholars as Reza Aslan hold fast to this belief. The Book of Hosea has also been used in Quranic interpretation by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, especially in reference to the Quranic verses which speak of the "backsliding of Israel".

While little is known about the life or social status of Hosea, it is recorded in his prophetic book where the wars were referenced, which led to the capture of the kingdom by the Assyrians (ca. 730-720 BC). 

It is not certain if he had also experienced the destruction of Samaria, which was foreseen in Hosea 14:1, but many theologians and scholars deem that he was there during the warring conflict. 

The Book of Hosea was a severe warning to the Northern Kingdom against the growing idolatry being practiced there; this ancient book was a dramatic call to repentance.

Today, the Prophet Hosea is still widely known to the world and many of the Abrahamic religions have festive observances in his honor. Hosea's tomb is purported to be located in the Jewish cemetery of Safed, which is believed to be the final resting place of this antediluvian prophet.