Contents

CONTENTS

General preface

Author’s preface

Select bibliography

2. Hosea and the Old Testament

3. Unity, composition, structure

4. Text and literary features

5. Theology and message

1. Hosea’s marriage: Israel as Yahweh’s unfaithful wife (1:1 – 3:5)

A. Superscript (1:1)

B. Hosea’s call and marriage; naming of children as symbols of judgment (1:2–9)

C. Restoration: reversal of judgment (1:10 – 2:1)

D. Judgment on an unfaithful wife (2:2–13)

E. Restoration and reconciliation; a new beginning (2:14–23)

F. Hosea’s love and Yahweh’s love (3:1–5)

2. Oracles relating to sinful Israel (4:1 – 11:11)

A. Yahweh’s case against the people (4:1 – 5:7)

B. Divine wrath on Israel and Judah (5:8–15)

C. Failure to repent (6:1 – 7:2)

D. Internal and international politics (7:3–16)

E. False confidence and impending judgment (8:1 – 9:9)

F. Unfulfilled promise (9:10 – 10:15)

G. Divine commitment to a beloved but ungrateful child (11:1–11)

3. Past ingratitude and future hope (11:12 – 14:9)

A. Yahweh’s case against the people (11:12 – 12:14)

B. Ephraim’s exaltation, sin and judgment (13:1–16)

C. Call to return to Yahweh; healing and restoration (14:1–9)