Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 162:647 (Jul 2005)
Article: Periodical Reviews
Author: Anonymous

Bsac 162:647 (July 2005) p. 361

Periodical Reviews

By The Faculty and Library Staff of Dallas Theological Seminary

Robert D. Ibach, Editor

“A Reconsideration of lekassôt in Hosea 2, 11 (MT),” Brad E. Kelle, Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft 116 (2004): 334-47.

Hosea 2:11 (Eng., v. 9) is a crux interpretum to scholars who have given close attention to it. This is not so much because of textual difficulties, for the Hebrew reading is undisputed and is unchallenged by the ancient versions. The problem stems from an apparent lack of good sense. The New International Version is typical of modern (and ancient) translations that seek to remedy the apparent contradiction between verses 11 and 12 (Eng., vv. 9–10) by suggesting an elliptical phrase in verse 11 as follows: “Therefore I will take away my grain when it ripens, and my new wine when it is ready. I will take back my wool and my linen, intended to cover her nakedness.”

The issue is how to render the piel infinitive “to cover,” the supposition being that the root is כסה. The context is clear that God’s actions against adulterous Israel were designed to punish her and in no way to ameliorate her situation. Yet the Hebrew reads literally, “I will take back my wool and my linen to cover her nakedness,” a seemingly beneficent act on God’s part. But the New International Version inserted the word “intended” in order to sustain the negative image.

On the basis of ancient Near Eastern marriage and divorce customs as well as Deuteronomy 24:1–4, which, with Hosea 2:11 (Heb.) contains the rare Hebrew word עֶרְוָת, “indecency, indiscretion,” Kelle proposes that the verb in question is not כסה but the geminate כסס, “to count, calculate, apportion.” He admits that the verb form is rare in the Old Testament (in fact it occurs only in Exod. 12:4), but it is attested in several places as a nominal form. However, the piel infinitive construct of כסס should ordinarily be rendered לְכַס, not לְכַסּוֹת, in Hosea 2:11. In defense of his p...