| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 1 The family of Hosea (1:1-9) 1:2 In the beginning of the LORD'S speaking to Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea: Go, take a harlot wife and harlot's children, for the land gives itself to harlotry, turning away from the LORD.(1:2) | Woman of harlotry | 4 Further assurance of God's redeeming love (3:1-5) 3:1 Again the LORD said to me: Give your love to a woman beloved of a paramour, an adultress; Even as the LORD loves the people of Israel, though they turn to other gods and are fond of raisin cakes.(3:1) |
| 2 Betrayal of Israel (2:1-15) Since she has not known that it was I who gave her the grain, the wine, and the oil, And her abundance of silver, and of gold, which they used for Baal, (2:10) | Baal | 3 Salvation of Israel (2:16-25) On that day, says the LORD, She shall call me "My husband," and never again "My baal." (2:18) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 4 Further assurance of God's redeeming love (3:1-5) 3:4 For the people of Israel shall remain many days without king or prince, Without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or household idols.(3:4) | Kings and princes | 7 Futile reliance on the nations (7:1-12) 7:3 In their wickedness they regale the king, the princes too, with their deceits.(7:3) |
| 5 The idolatry of Israel (4:1-5:7) They consult their piece of wood, and their wand makes pronouncements for them, For the spirit of harlotry has led them astray; they commit harlotry, forsaking their God. (4:12) | Harlotry of Israel | 6 Sin and punishment of war (5:8-6:11) In the house of Israel I have seen a horrible thing: there harlotry is found in Ephraim, Israel is defiled. (6:10) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 7 Futile reliance on the nations (7:1-12) 7:11 Ephraim is like a dove, silly and senseless; They call upon Egypt, they go to Assyria. (7:11) | Ephraim and Assyria | 10 Israel's sin and captivity (10:1-15) 10:6 It too shall be carried to Assyria, as an offering to the great king. Ephraim shall be taken into captivity, Israel be shamed by his schemes. (10:6) |
| 8 Israel's apostasy (7:13-8:14) they shall return to Egypt. (8:13) | Return to Egypt | 9 Sin at Baal-peor and Gilgal (9:1-17) They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and in Assyria they shall eat unclean food. (9:3) |
| Former half | Relation | Latter half |
| 10 Israel's sin and captivity (10:1-15) 10:12 "Sow for yourselves justice, reap the fruit of piety; Break up for yourselves a new field, for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain down justice upon you." (10:12) | Harvest | 13 Assurance of forgiveness (14:2-10) 14:8 Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. (14:8) |
| 11 God's compassion despite Israel's ingratitude (11:1-11) 11:1 When Israel was a child I loved him, out of Egypt I called my son.(11:1) | Leading out from Egypt | 12 The history of rebellion (12:1-14_14:1) 13:4 I am the LORD, your God, since the land of Egypt; You know no God besides me, and there is no savior but me. (13:4) |