Book of Hosea Chapter 3 Vs. 3

 Hosea Redeems His Wife

And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee. Hos. 3:3

I said unto... Hosea must have been a wonderful man to obey the order to obtain a wife of whoredoms in the first place, and to show no resentment at being asked to buy her back again, after she had returned to her old lovers. He seemed to recognize the experience as part of God’s eternal message to his people; and being a true servant he did not question the wisdom of God.

Thou shalt abide... He simply made a cold contract with his wife to keep herself only to him for the price of $75 (Hos. 3:2). She shalt abide in seclusion at my discretion. The “many days” are an indefinite period of amendment, while watchful care was being exercised over her. During this time, she is to withdraw herself from her paramour and also from her husband. And wait in an unmarried condition, until I see it fit to espouse thee. Many days: It is not said how long, but a slave, as she is represented here, may not think this severe; the preferment will compensate her waiting.

thou shalt not... This is the third condition, she is to live chaste and modest, not to do as she had done. This was to settle her in a virtuous life, and to prove whether she would betake herself to a life praiseworthy.

and thou shalt... She was not to go with any other man, and was to keep herself for Hosea for "many days" (Hos. 3:3). The "many days" were applied to Israel being in dispersion and without being a nation (Hos. 3:3-4). Afterward they were to return to God and become His wife again as Gomer had become the wife of Hosea a second time after being away from him for a time (Hos. 3:5). She is bound to marry, none other, nor to commit adultery with any other.

so will I... In due time I will accomplish the contract, and, as I wait, so I will be for thee. So the deed is mutually sealed and signed.

This is a very personal Scripture. "Abide", in this particular instance, means sit still. This is like a punishment for her unfaithfulness. He does not take a chance on her being unfaithful with another man during this time. She is in isolation. He includes himself in this, as well. It seems for a period of time, she is totally separated from all contact with men.

This again, symbolizes the fact that Israel would be in captivity. She would not be able to play the harlot with her false gods, and she would be alienated from God at the same time. God would choose the length of time of her captivity, for her punishment for spiritual adultery.

After acquiring legal possession of Gomer, Hosea informed her that her adulterous lifestyle was over. She would remain at home with him, isolated from all potential lovers. The meaning of the final clause in Hos. 3:3 is unclear. The text literally reads, “and also I toward you.” The NIV (and I will live with you) understands the expression to be analogous to the preceding you are to live with me, meaning that both parties would devote themselves entirely to each other. Others understand the clause to mean that Hosea would abstain from sexual relations with her for a prolonged period of time (NEB).