Bernhard Oestreich: Metaphors and Similes for Yahweh in Hosea 14:2-9 (1-8): A Study of Hoseanic Pictorial Language.

(Friedensauer Schriftenreihe: Reihe A, Theologie, 1) Frankfurt am Main [u.a.]: Peter Lang, 1998.
278 S., Literaturverz. S. 235-278
ISBN 3-631-33666-7
 
Compared with the effort to interpret Hosea 1-3, the final chapter has been rather neglected. Additionally, the variety of explanations of biblical images in Hos 14 indicates a necessity to clarify the methods of their interpretation. The metaphors and similes in Hos 14:2-9 referring to Yahweh, healing, loving, dew, and tree, are investigated. They are interpreted on the background of their language conventions. Thereby the actual usage in Hosea with its twists, alterations, and reversals becomes obvious. The study demonstrates that Hosea's metaphors and similes are deeply rooted in Israelite language traditions. They are not to be interpreted as literal descriptions of cultic experiences. All the metaphors for Yahweh in Hos 14 are traditionally connected with kingship. They are used in such a way that they express an eschatological hope with Yahweh as Israel's king, however, without downgrading Yahweh's radical judgement.
Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction
  • Introduction to the Problem
  • Review of Literature on the Exegesis of Biblical Metaphors
  • Review of Works on Hosea 14
  • On the Interpretation of Metaphors
  • Method of the Study
Chapter 2: Limitation and Structure of the Passage Hosea 14:2-9 (Eng. 1-8)
  • Limitation of the Text
  • Unity of the Passage
  • Substructure of the Passage
Chapter 3: The "Healing" Metaphor in Hosea 14:5 (Eng. 14:4)
  • Introduction
  • The Concept of Sickness/Healing in the Old Testament
  • The Healing Metaphor in the Book of Hosea
  • The Meaning of the Healing Metaphor in Hosea 14:5
Chapter 4: The "Love" Metaphor in Hosea 14:5 (Eng. 14:4)
  • Introduction
  • 'hb in the Old Testament
  • Marital Love in the Book of Hosea
  • Origin of the Marriage Metaphor
  • Parental Love in the Book of Hosea
  • Origin of the Adoption Metaphor
  • The Meaning of the Love Metaphor in Hosea 14:5
Chapter 5: The "Dew" Metaphor in Hosea 14:6 (Eng. 14:5)
  • Introduction
  • Dew in Palestine
  • The Dew Similes in the Book of Hosea
  • The Old Testament Background of the Dew Image
  • The Dew Image in Hosea 14:6
Chapter 6: The "Tree" Metaphor in Hosea 14:9 (Eng. 14:8)
  • Introduction
  • The berosh Tree
  • The Background of the Tree Image
  • The Tree Image in Hosea 14:9
Chapter 7: Conclusions
  • Conventional Metaphors
  • The Rational Effect of the Metaphors
  • Metaphoric Network
  • Results for the Interpretation of the Whole Book