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  • From: George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>
  • To: B-Hebrew <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] how to translate Hosea 1:2
  • Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 20:32:19 +0000

Hi Olivier!

The standard translation 'a woman who is a prostitute' is a valid inference
from the Hebrew phrase אֵ֤שֶׁת זנוּנִים֙, but in the context it might be a
slight overstatement. The abstract noun is really indicating wanton and/or
illicit sexual activity, usually on the part of a woman. In the context of
Hosea, I'd say the emphasis is not on Gomer being a prostitute (cultic or
otherwise), but rather on her being a sexually promiscuous person. It
probably has the same connotations as the derogatory English term 'slut'.


GEORGE ATHAS
Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
www.moore.edu.au





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