8th century BC
The Prophet Hosea
The first of the twelve minor prophets, known for the saying “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”, later quoted by Christ.
Biography
The prophet Hosea, son of Beeri of the tribe of Issachar, lived in the eighth century BC, under kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah and Jeroboam II of Israel. In the Old Testament he is the first of the twelve minor prophets.
Full of zeal for the divine law, he denounced in his book the idolatry that had corrupted the people of Israel. One of his sayings, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”, was later quoted by Christ himself in addressing the Pharisees. He is said to have lived seventy-five years.