Lo Ammi
“Not my people”
Summary
A symbolic name meaning 'not my people,' given to Hosea's second son to signify God's temporary rejection of Israel.
☩Prophetic Significance
At God's command, Hosea named his second son Lo-Ammi, meaning 'not my people,' signifying that Israel had broken covenant with the Lord and would be rejected (Hosea 1:9). This name, along with his daughter Lo-Ruhamah ('not loved'), formed part of a living prophetic message through the prophet's family. The name declared the devastating reversal of God's covenant promise: 'ye are not my people, and I will not be your God.'
☩Promised Reversal
The prophet also announced a future restoration: 'I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God' (Hosea 2:23). This reversal is quoted by Paul in Romans 9:25-26 as fulfilled in the calling of both Jews and Gentiles into the people of God. What was judgment becomes promise—those who were 'not my people' shall be called 'sons of the living God' (Hosea 1:10).
Related Verses1 mention
Hosea· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Lo-ammi," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Lo-Ammi," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).