Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 69:1 (NA 2018)
Article: Hosea’s Marriage Reconsidered
Author: Robin Routledge

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Hosea’s Marriage Reconsidered

Robin Routledge

([email protected])

Summary

Whilst there is general agreement that Hosea 1–3 contains prophetic sign-acts, biographical information is sparse, and some argue that it is unwise to try to reconstruct details of Hosea’s marriage(s). This article argues from the premise that the historical context of sign-acts, insofar as it may be discerned, is significant for interpretation, and seeks to re-examine proposed historical scenarios and present a partial reconstruction. Issues include the interpretation of אֵשֶׁת זְנוּנִים (‘eshet zenunim), translated ‘wife of whoredom’, in 1:2, and the identity of the unnamed woman in 3:1. The article concludes that ‘eshet zenunim is best understood, proleptically, to relate to Gomer’s adultery after her marriage to Hosea, and that 3:1–5 points to the restoration of their earlier relationship. This view best fits the text and the parallel with Israel’s spiritual adultery, forgiveness, and restoration by her divine husband.

1. Introduction

One of the attractions of the book of Hosea is its portrayal of the intimacy of the relationship between God and his people. In chapter 11, God is viewed as Israel’s father, calling his son out of Egypt, teaching him to walk, bending down and feeding him. In chapters 1–3, God’s relationship with Israel is viewed in terms of a marriage. Both reflect language and ideas associated with the Exodus. In particular, the covenant established at Sinai lends itself to being described in terms of a marriage bond,1 though Hosea seems to be the first to make the

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connection explicit.2 Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness is sometimes referred to as prostitution (Exod. 34:15–16; Deut. 31:16), but in those passages it is not related specifically to breaking a marriage bond. In Exodus 34:15 other nations’ worship of their own gods is also described as prostitution, suggesting that the term may be applied to false worship more generally. Hosea, though, clearly characterises Israel’s apostasy as marital unfaithfulness, and this appears to be prompted by his ...