Hosea: Salvation, the son of Beeri, and author of the book of prophecies
bearing his name. He belonged to the kingdom of Israel. "His
Israelitish origin is attested by the peculiar, rough, Aramaizing
diction, pointing to the northern part of Palestine; by the intimate
acquaintance he evinces with the localities of Ephraim
(Hosea 5:1; 6:8,9)
(Hosea 12:12; 14:6) etc. by passages like
(Hosea 1:2) where the kingdom
is styled 'the land', and
(Hosea 7:5) where the Israelitish king is
designated as 'our' king." The period of his ministry (extending to
some sixty years) is indicated in the superscription
(Hosea 1:1,2) He
is the only prophet of Israel who has left any written prophecy.
