hosean

Hosean is an adjective relating to Hosea, an ancient Israelite prophet whose book is part of the Hebrew Bible. In scholarly usage, the term describes material, theology, or language that is attributed to or characteristic of Hosea, especially within the Book of Hosea. The noun Hosea derives from the Hebrew name Hoshea, meaning “salvation,” with the -an suffix forming the adjective.

In biblical studies, Hosean is used to distinguish Hosea's message from those of other prophets. Core Hosean themes include a call to covenant faithfulness, critique of idolatry, and the depiction of Yahweh's steadfast love (hesed) for Israel, often framed through the metaphor of Israel as an unfaithful spouse. The book is set in the northern kingdom and is dated to the 8th century BCE. Notable verses cited in discussions of Hosean theology include Hosea’s warnings about social injustice and his expressions of divine mercy.

Outside scholarly usage, Hosean is relatively uncommon in everyday discourse. The term may appear in academic commentaries, biblical lexicons, or introductions to Hosea, where it helps distinguish Hosea’s distinctive voice and theological emphasis from other prophetic books.

See also: Hosea; Book of Hosea; prophetic literature; Hebrew Bible.