Author: Kirsi Cobb, Bible, Gender and Church Research Centre, Cliff College - Academia.edu

Abstract: »To illustrate Israel’s fickle relationship with her God (1:2), the prophet Hosea is commanded to marry “a promiscuous woman,” who is subjected to various acts of sexual violence before she is enticed back to her husband. These acts have been variously understood as those of a broken-hearted man, atyrannical abuser, or as metaphoric expressions of the Assyrian invasion of Samaria. For the postexilic literati in Yehud, the story would have functioned as a memorable warning for the community to follow God’s ordinances. As an expression of cultural trauma, Hos. 1–3 represents the horrors of war symbolized in the gruesome treatment of the woman. Although chs. 1–3 blame the woman for her fate, self-blame could be understood as a survival mechanism. Therefore, the sexual violence in Hosea does not offer universal truth but a glimpse into the survival of the community and their God.« (Source: Article)

Contents:

	22.1. Introduction (p. 317)
	22.2. Love, Metaphor, or an Unfortunate Choice? (p. 318)
	22.3. Just Punishment or Domestic Abuse? (p. 322)
	22.4. Teaching Tool, Cultural Trauma, and Counterstories (p. 325)
	22.5. Conclusion (p. 328)
	Notes (p. 329)
	References (p. 330)

Wikipedia: Ancient history: History of ancient Israel and Judah | Religious text: Hebrew Bible / Book of Hosea | Sex and the law: Sexual violence / Rape in the Hebrew Bible