The document analyzes the metaphorical language in the Book of Hosea, particularly focusing on similes and metaphors that illustrate the relationship between God and Israel. It emphasizes themes of punishment and restoration, utilizing historical and religious contexts to convey the significance of the covenant. Key references include Hosea's portrayal of love, betrayal, and divine intervention throughout Israel's history.

1. HOSEA
(Day 2)

2. Hosea 1
Hosea’s family

3. Figures of speech

4. Simile
Comparing one thing with something else

5. I am like a moth to Ephraim,
like rot to the people of Judah
Hosea 5:12

6. Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears.
Hosea 6:4

7. Metaphor
Associating something with another object
or concept to which it is not related

8. ‘‘A metaphor is ‘a figure of speech
whereby we speak about one
thing in terms of which are seen
to be suggestive of another.’
Janet Martin Soskice
Metaphor and Religious Language

9. ‘‘Metaphor is considered not so
much as a way in which people
speak, but rather as a way in
which people think. We use
metaphors in our language
because, to a large extent, we
think metaphorically. . . .

10. ‘‘. . . The essence of metaphor . . .
is that we make use of our
knowledge of one conceptual
domain (the source) in order to
gain new understanding of a
second, non-related domain (the
target).
Pierre Van Heck
Metaphor in the Hebrew Bible

11. A whirlwind will sweep them away,
and their sacrifices will bring them
shame.
Hosea 4:19

12. When Ephraim saw his sickness,
and Judah his sores,
then Ephraim turned to Assyria,
and sent to the great king for help.
But he is not able to cure you,
not able to heal your sores.
Hosea 5:13

13. Therefore I am now going to allure
her; I will lead her into the wilderness
and speak tenderly to her.
Hosea 2:14

14. root metaphor:
YHWH’s household

15. marriage & prostitution

16. Genesis 2:23–24
Ephesians 5:31–32
Revelation 21:1–10
Numbers 15:37–41
Jeremiah 2–3
Ezekiel 16, 23
Hosea 1:1 – 3:5
Exclusive, intimate
covenant
The ultimate marriage
Forgetfulness leads to
prostitution
Adultery/Prostitution

17. Hosea 2
Punishment and
restoration

18. A2. 2:1–23 Punishment/restoration
a 2:1–4 YHWH’s 1st
punishment
b 2:5–6 YHWH’s 2nd
punishment
c 2:7–13 YHWH’s 3rd
punishment
d 2:14–15 YHWH will woo Israel
c’ 2:16–17 Response to 3rd
punish.
b’ 2:18–20 Response to 2nd
punishment
a’ 2:21–23 Response to 1st
punishment

19. Base texts
Texts which Hosea builds on

20. Beginning of the decalogue
(Exodus 20)

21. I am the Lord your God, who brought
you out of Egypt, out of the land of
slavery. You shall have no other gods
before me. You shall not make for
yourself an image in the form of
anything in heaven above or on the
earth beneath or in the waters
below. . . .

22. . . . You shall not bow down to them
or worship them; for I, the Lord your
God, am a jealous God, punishing the
children for the sin of the parents to
the third and fourth generation of
those who hate me, but showing love
to a thousand generations of those
who love me and keep my
commandments. – Exodus 20:1–6

23. Psalm 106

24. Three key periods
of history for Hosea

25. 1. Israel’s ancestors
(patriarchs)

26. 2. Exodus and wilderness

27. 3. Life in the promised land

28. Hosea 3
Hosea loving his
wife again