Bible Commentaries

PART I., 1-3.—These chapters form a distinct section consisting of two narrative pieces, mainly in prose (Hosea 1:2 to Hosea 2:1 and Hosea 3), which narrate the story of the prophet's unhappy marriage with Gomer; and a prophetic discourse, in which the lessons to be deduced from his own domestic experience are applied to the nation (Hosea 2:2-23). 17 is probably an interpolation, while Hosea 1:10-11 is, at least, out of order. Steuernagel suggests that Hosea 1:1-9 and Hosea 3 are really parallel narratives, one, written by the original editor, being in the third person (Hosea 1:1-9), while the other, written in the first person, is the work of the prophet himself (Hosea 3), each describing the prophet's marriage. If Hosea 3 be read immediately after Hosea 1:9 the sections will gain in coherence.

Hosea 3:1. The imperative "love" is suggested to the prophet by Yahweh's love of His disloyal people. Read (changing Heb. points), "a woman loving another." Obviously Gomer is meant. To suppose that the prophet was commanded to marry another adulteress (so apparently Marti) destroys the point of the application of Yahweh's love of Israel. The raisin-cakes (p. 99) were such as were offered sacrificially at vintage feasts (especially at the great autumnal feast of ingathering; cf. Isaiah 16:7). Such cakes were a regular feature of ancient cults (cf. Jeremiah 7:18). There is a touch of sarcasm in the reference to the Israelites' love of such offerings (of which they partook). The mg. is not probable in either case.

Hosea 3:2. The redemption price in money and kind was about the price of a slave (30 shekels; cf. Exodus 21:32).—an half homer of barley: LXX reads "a bottle of wine."

Hosea 3:3. so . . . thee: read, "I will not go in unto thee."

Hosea 3:4. Gomer in seclusion, corresponds to the exiled nation. King and prince are perhaps parallel to husband and lovers. The sacred pillar (massb) was the mark of a holy site, and hence is coupled with sacrifice (p. 98). For ephod and teraphim see pp. 100f. Note that all these adjuncts of the Yahweh-cultus in N. Israel are referred to, apparently, without blame.

Hosea 3:5. and David their king: omit.