Hoshea
“Salvation or deliverance”
Summary
Hoshea is a Hebrew name meaning "salvation," borne most notably by the last king of Israel who reigned during the Assyrian conquest, as well as Joshua's original name and several other biblical figures.
☩Hoshea King of Israel
Hoshea, son of Elah, was the nineteenth and last king of Israel. In the twentieth year after Jotham became king, he conspired against and slew his predecessor Pekah, thereby fulfilling a prophecy of Isaiah. After an interregnum of warfare lasting about eight years, he became established on the throne in the twelfth year of Ahaz. Scripture says "he did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not in the same degree as his predecessors," perhaps because he did not prevent Israelites from accepting Hezekiah's invitation to worship in Jerusalem.
☩The Assyrian Conquest
Shortly after his accession, Hoshea submitted to Shalmaneser of Assyria and paid tribute. However, encouraged by hopes of Egyptian support, he entered into a secret alliance with So, king of Egypt, to throw off the Assyrian yoke. When this conspiracy was discovered, Shalmaneser imprisoned Hoshea and invaded the land. After a three-year siege, Samaria was taken and destroyed, and the ten tribes were deported beyond the Euphrates. The king apparently perished in the sack of the city or was preserved only for the torture of an Assyrian triumph.
☩Other Men Named Hoshea
The name Hoshea (identical to Hosea) was borne by several other biblical figures. Most significantly, it was the original name of Joshua son of Nun before Moses changed it to Jehoshua (Joshua), adding the divine name Jah to form "Jehovah's salvation." Another Hoshea was the son of Azaziah, a prince of the tribe of Ephraim under David. Finally, a Hoshea is mentioned among the chief Israelites who sealed the sacred covenant after the return from captivity.
Related Verses14 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Hoshea," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "HOSHEA," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. V (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 3.George Morrish, "Hoshea," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Hoshea," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Hoshea (1)," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).