catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Hosea
     salvation, the son of Beeri, and author of the book of
     prophecies bearing his name. He belonged to the kingdom of
     Israel. "His Israelitish origin is attested by the peculiar,
     rough, Aramaizing diction, pointing to the northern part of
     Palestine; by the intimate acquaintance he evinces with the
     localities of Ephraim (5:1; 6:8, 9; 12:12; 14:6, etc.); by
     passages like 1:2, where the kingdom is styled 'the land', and
     7:5, where the Israelitish king is designated as 'our' king."
     The period of his ministry (extending to some sixty years) is
     indicated in the superscription (Hos. 1:1, 2). He is the only
     prophet of Israel who has left any written prophecy.