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Hosea: A Discourse Analysis of the Hebrew Bible (24)
How a biblical author says something is just as important as what they say. Designed for the pastor and Bible teacher, this series carefully analyzes the discourse of each Old Testament book and shows how the main thrust of each passage contributes to the development of the whole composition in the original Hebrew. For each passage, the ZECOT While primarily designed for those with a basic knowledge of biblical Hebrew, Hebrew words are always explained so that anyone who desires to understand the Old Testament and communicate its message will benefit from the depth and accessibility these volumes offer.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published January 12, 2021
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February 10, 2021
Several of these earlier volumes in the ZECOT series have gravitated to the relatively shorter Minor Prophets. This volume by Jerry Hwang continues demonstrating the promise that the distinctive style of the ZECOT holds. Perhaps the series emphasis on discourse analysis shines even brighter in these Minor Prophets, though I look forward to all its volumes. Hwang grasps clearly all aspects of discourse analysis and similar scholarly tools and makes a real contribution here.
The introduction is thorough. At times the prose is stuffy, but the content is rich. I think pastors and students will be rewarded for waiting through language that might be a bit more scholarly than preferred. Still, this is not a scholars-only commentary.
The select bibliography is a bit too select, but the historical background to the prophecy as well as what the author calls “Hosea’s distinctive theology in its cultural context” is well done. The concepts discussed strike me as the best scholarship can offer the Bible student. Again, it may be heavy going it is verbiage, but you will be able to weigh the ideas that make up the theme of Hosea. The section on the contribution to Christian theology is too brief but on target. There is also a detailed outline for the book.
The commentary proper is never trite. Clearly the author took his time to produce a significant commentary. By now you are probably familiar with the ZECOT style and he is comfortable in it and puts it to good use. This commentary does not duplicate other volumes and is good as either a first or a second choice. I’m glad to have this commentary at my disposal.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The introduction is thorough. At times the prose is stuffy, but the content is rich. I think pastors and students will be rewarded for waiting through language that might be a bit more scholarly than preferred. Still, this is not a scholars-only commentary.
The select bibliography is a bit too select, but the historical background to the prophecy as well as what the author calls “Hosea’s distinctive theology in its cultural context” is well done. The concepts discussed strike me as the best scholarship can offer the Bible student. Again, it may be heavy going it is verbiage, but you will be able to weigh the ideas that make up the theme of Hosea. The section on the contribution to Christian theology is too brief but on target. There is also a detailed outline for the book.
The commentary proper is never trite. Clearly the author took his time to produce a significant commentary. By now you are probably familiar with the ZECOT style and he is comfortable in it and puts it to good use. This commentary does not duplicate other volumes and is good as either a first or a second choice. I’m glad to have this commentary at my disposal.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
May 15, 2023
See my longer review on SpoiledMilks (2/14/23).
Jerry Hwang has written a new commentary on Hosea, the longest Minor Prophet, one which skillfully shows Hosea’s main message.
Discourse Features
Hwang highlights four discourse features used by Hosea to convey “the anguish of God’s conflict with his people” (53):
1. Shifting grammatical persons. The relational “I” and “you” often becomes a distant “they have done x” (see Hos 5:1–6).
2. Broken chiasms. Hosea often splits his chiasms, causing suspense as his listeners/readers wait to hear the resolution (see Hos 8:9–13).
3. Pseudosorites. This “represents the paradox of a succession of lines that undermine one another as they unfold in sequence” (55). For examples of this, see Hos 2:8–12 and 10:9–12, 14.
4. Wordplay. In a book of poetry such as Hosea, wordplay is used “to punctuate thematic discontinuity as well as continuity” (56).
Hosea intentionally selected, arranged, and shaped his ideas to reach the ears of his hearers in specific, searing, ways.
The primary goal of these commentaries “is to help serious students of Scripture, as well as those charged with preaching and teaching the Word of God, to hear the messages of Scripture as biblical authors intended them to be heard” (x). How someone says something is just as important as what they say.
Yahweh is sovereign over every domain, and Hosea “contextualizes its distinctive message… by reworking the categories of history and creation that were contemporary to its audience in the eighth century BCE” (32).
Hosea also uses numerous references to salvation history: the patriarchal period (12:4, 13), the exodus from Egypt (2:17; 11:1), the giving of the law at Sinai (4:1–3; 8:12), and murmuring in the wilderness (9:10: 13:5). Hosea doesn’t rehash old stories, but reuses them for a new audience. While Yahweh “called” Israel out of Egypt (11:1), Israel “called” to Egypt (and other empires) and worshiped the Baals and other idols. Hosea 11 points to a coming exile—and anti-exodus—and a future “new exodus.”
Recommended?
Hwang has provided an incredible, in-depth commentary that examines the flow of Hosea and his main ideas and themes. In this series, the grammar and syntax is given presented to help you understand Hosea’s main themes.
Hwang often shows how Hosea’s prophecies played out in Israel’s history, showing how Israel’s priests and politics were rebellious, and how God’s creational blessings outweighs whatever Israel believed Baal could provide.
Whether you know Hebrew or not, pastors, teachers, or students will benefit greatly from this volume. This commentary is highly recommended.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Zondervan Academic. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Jerry Hwang has written a new commentary on Hosea, the longest Minor Prophet, one which skillfully shows Hosea’s main message.
Discourse Features
Hwang highlights four discourse features used by Hosea to convey “the anguish of God’s conflict with his people” (53):
1. Shifting grammatical persons. The relational “I” and “you” often becomes a distant “they have done x” (see Hos 5:1–6).
2. Broken chiasms. Hosea often splits his chiasms, causing suspense as his listeners/readers wait to hear the resolution (see Hos 8:9–13).
3. Pseudosorites. This “represents the paradox of a succession of lines that undermine one another as they unfold in sequence” (55). For examples of this, see Hos 2:8–12 and 10:9–12, 14.
4. Wordplay. In a book of poetry such as Hosea, wordplay is used “to punctuate thematic discontinuity as well as continuity” (56).
Hosea intentionally selected, arranged, and shaped his ideas to reach the ears of his hearers in specific, searing, ways.
The primary goal of these commentaries “is to help serious students of Scripture, as well as those charged with preaching and teaching the Word of God, to hear the messages of Scripture as biblical authors intended them to be heard” (x). How someone says something is just as important as what they say.
Yahweh is sovereign over every domain, and Hosea “contextualizes its distinctive message… by reworking the categories of history and creation that were contemporary to its audience in the eighth century BCE” (32).
Hosea also uses numerous references to salvation history: the patriarchal period (12:4, 13), the exodus from Egypt (2:17; 11:1), the giving of the law at Sinai (4:1–3; 8:12), and murmuring in the wilderness (9:10: 13:5). Hosea doesn’t rehash old stories, but reuses them for a new audience. While Yahweh “called” Israel out of Egypt (11:1), Israel “called” to Egypt (and other empires) and worshiped the Baals and other idols. Hosea 11 points to a coming exile—and anti-exodus—and a future “new exodus.”
Recommended?
Hwang has provided an incredible, in-depth commentary that examines the flow of Hosea and his main ideas and themes. In this series, the grammar and syntax is given presented to help you understand Hosea’s main themes.
Hwang often shows how Hosea’s prophecies played out in Israel’s history, showing how Israel’s priests and politics were rebellious, and how God’s creational blessings outweighs whatever Israel believed Baal could provide.
Whether you know Hebrew or not, pastors, teachers, or students will benefit greatly from this volume. This commentary is highly recommended.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Zondervan Academic. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews