The name of the second child, a daughter, literally means no mercy. Mercy was the basis of God’s relationship with Israel (Exodus 19:4). Thus this name signals the beginning of the end of that relationship, the breaking off of God’s covenant.1 Using the marriage analogy, God is declaring his intention to divorce Israel. This is therefore a stark shift in God’s attitude toward the northern kingdom of Israel. They are not merely facing the end of their ruling dynasty and exile from the land; they are being confronted with the prospect of ceasing to exist as a people, as God’s people. Commenting on this name and the third, Dearman writes: “the two names are related; without divine mercy Israel could never remain God’s people.”2
6 She conceived again and bore a daughter. And the LORD said to him, “Call her name No Mercy, for I will no more have mercy on the house of Israel, to forgive them at all.