Loammi

(not my people), the figurative name given by the prophet Hosea to his second son by Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, (Hosea 1:9) to denote the rejection of the kingdom of Israel by Jehovah. Its significance is explained in vs. 9,10

LO-AMMI

lo-am'-i (lo'-`ammi, "not my people"): The 2nd son and 3rd child of Gomer bath-Diblaim, wife of the prophet Hosea (Hosea 1:9). An earlier child, a daughter, had been named Lo-ruhamah (lo'-ruchamah, "uncompassionated"). The names, like those given by Isaiah to his children, are symbolic, and set forth Hosea's conviction that Israel has, through sin, forfeited Yahweh's compassion, and can no longer claim His protection. Of the bearers of these names nothing further is known; but their symbolism is alluded to in Hosea 2:1, 23. This latter passage is quoted by Paul (Romans 9:25 f).

See HOSEA; JEZREEL.

John A. Lees

Not my people, a symbolical name given by God's command to Hosea's second son in token of Jehovah's rejection of his people (Hosea 1:9, 10), his treatment of them as a foreign people. This Hebrew word is rendered by "not my people" in ver. 10; 2:23.