Biblical Hebrew Forum

[George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>]

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