Wounds and Healing, Dew and Lions: Hosea’s Development of Divine Metaphors

The study of Hos 5:8–6:6 has been concerned primarily with the passage’s historical context and apparent historical references. The metaphors of the pericope have received comparatively less attention. In this article, I analyze three metaphor domains (water, healing, and lions) in Hos 5:8–6:6, tracing the development and reversal of those domains across the rest of the book, and noticing some consistent patterns in those developments and their rhetorical purpose. Finally, I draw three theological implications from the developing characterization of Yhwh that results: (1) Yhwh’s consistent character—as expressed, for example, in Exod 34:6–7—manifests in different ways at different times in response to different circumstances. (2) Yhwh does not circumvent failure, sin, and judgment in order to reach the ultimate divine purpose; rather restoration comes through judgment. (3) By appropriating metaphors and imagery from contemporary deities and nation-states, Hosea lays claim to Yhwh’s exclusive sovereignty over the people of Israel, as well as Yhwh’s absolute sufficiency to meet all of Israel’s needs and desires.