I’ve a love-hate relationship with the editorial assistant constructed into phrase processors. I admire that such assistants will level out my dangerous habits (mostly, my penchant for the passive voice) in order that I can repent and amend my habits. But all too typically I discover myself annoyed with the phrase processor’s proposed emendations. At instances, the change would drain the writing of the distinctive voice of a novel writer in order that it matches a generalized norm. At different instances, the change would take away the vitality of the textual content.
In my present work on the prophet Hosea, I’ve encountered a damaged blue underlining to my translation and commentary, alerting me to my writing having gone askew of some norm. After I place my cursor on the damaged blue underlining, the editorial notice pops up: “This language could also be offensive to your reader.” The offense is certain up in my translation of the Hebrew verb זנה as “to whore.” Examine the assorted Hebrew lexicons and one can find different prospects for tips on how to translate זנה – “to behave as a prostitute” or “to fornicate.” The identical editorial notice pops up for my translation of the nouns זְנוּנִים and זְנוּת (each of that are derived from זנה) as “whoring” or “whoredom” reasonably than “prostitution” or “fornication.” The offensive rub of the phrases is much more pronounced in Hosea because of their prevalence compared to the remainder of the Outdated Testomony (twelve of the ninety-three occurrences of זנה are in Hosea; six of the twelve occurrences of זְנוּנִים are in Hosea; two of the 9 occurrences of זְנוּת are in Hosea). In Hosea 2:2 there are two makes use of of זנה together with two of זְנוּנִים. That’s a variety of “whore” language in a single verse! How might somebody not be offended?
However that’s simply the purpose. The textual content is supposed to offend. The phrase of Yahweh intends to shock complacent sinners. Early in my work on Hosea, I invested appreciable time and vitality contemplating one of the best ways to translate זנה and its cognates. I settled upon “whore” translations as most becoming what Yahweh is saying by way of Hosea. My ongoing work with Hosea has solely fortified me in that call. The shock of studying “whore” again and again is strengthened by different surprising language.
Hosea’s surprising language is just not permission for me to cavalierly commandeer surprising language when partaking others. Rightly making use of regulation and gospel (Hosea’s “whore” language is heavy responsibility regulation) requires understanding whom you might be addressing. Hosea is delivered to impenitent Israel. Think about that adjective and noun. First, the noun “Israel.” Hosea is delivered to the covenant-people of Yahweh. Hosea recurrently refers back to the Torah, particularly Deuteronomy, to remind them of their covenant with Yahweh. Hosea is just not talking to Gentiles. Second, the adjective “impenitent.” Israel has violated the covenant. They’ve chased after the baals. The surprising language of Hosea is aimed on the individuals of Yahweh who stay as if they’re one thing apart from his individuals.
The surprising language of Hosea is geared toward me. “Whore” is Hosea’s potent description of idolatry. Each time I fall into sin, I’m training idolatry as I’m fearing, loving, or trusting in one thing greater than Yahweh. Each time I fall into sin, I’m untrue to Yahweh. Each time I fall into sin, I’m whoring after no matter idol has seized my concern, love, and belief. Hosea’s surprising language is a holy two-by-four upside my arduous head. Hosea’s surprising language is the regulation that I want when I’m encumbered by sin. And it prepares me for one thing much more surprising. Israel’s whoring methods are captured in Hosea 2:15 (2:13 in English translations) as she chases after her loves whereas she forgets her husband Yahweh. Then comes the shock in Hosea 2:16 (2:14 in English). לָכֵן “Due to this fact….” As a result of Israel has gone whoring after the baals, Yahweh says, “Due to this fact, I’m wooing her.” There is no such thing as a larger shock than that. Yahweh’s response to Israel’s infidelity is to double-down on his constancy towards her. That’s the shock of the gospel. As a lot as Hosea’s potent proclamation of the regulation crushes me in my sin, Hosea’s proclamation of the gospel is way exceeding. How surprising is Yahweh that he takes on human flesh, suffers, dies, and rises to woo his individuals again to himself, making us to not be a whore however the bride of Christ.
