Bible Dictionary
Ammi
Ammi means “my people.” Hosea used it as a restored name for Israel, contrasting it with Lo-ammi, “not my people,” and the New Testament applies the restoration language to God’s people.
Definition
Ammi means “my people.” It is a symbolic name given by Hosea to Israel in the state of restoration and divine favor. The name contrasts with Lo-ammi, “not my people,” which represented sinful and rejected Israel.
Biblical Usage
Hosea uses Ammi to express Israel’s restoration to relationship with God. Paul quotes the restoration language in explaining God’s call of those formerly described as not his people.
Historical Background
The use of symbolic and descriptive names is frequent in the Old Testament. Ammi’s meaning is understood through its contrast with the name Lo-ammi given to Hosea’s son.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
My people, a name given by Jehovah to the people of Israel (Hos. 2:1, 23. Comp. 1:9; Ezek. 16:8; Rom. 9:25, 26; 1 Pet. 2:10).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
i.e., as explained in the margin of the Authorized Version, my people . (Hosea 2:1)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>am'-i (`ammi, "my people"): A symbolic name given to Israel by Hosea (Ho 2:1; 2:3 in Hebrew text), descriptive of Israel in the state of restoration, and in contrast to sinful and rejected Israel, represented by Hosea's son, who was called Lo-ammi, "not my people," when born to the prophet (Ho 1:9,10). This restoration to the Divine favor is more fully described in Ho 2:21,23 in words quoted by Paul (Ro 9:25,26). The use of such figurative and descriptive names is frequent in the Old Testament; compare Isa 62:4,12.</p>