Studies in the text and structure of Hosea 12-14

The first chapter of this thesis reviews the major literature on the book of Hosea since Ewald: found in commentaries, monographs, and special studies. Chapter two establishes that textual- criticism of Hosea 12-14 is the basic necessity for the following structural analysis of Has `12-14. This chapter begins by reviewing the major literature on the textual criticism of Hosea. This' is followed by a detailed discussion of the MT/LXX of Hos 12-14. Finally, as a result of these analyses, my own translation of Hos 12-14 is presented. Chapter three constitutes the core of this thesis. This chapter reviews the major literature on structural criticism of Hosea. The subsequent discussion argues for the literary unity of Hos 12-14 by noting the repetition of words, phrases, and lines in this section. The 'following structural analyses of Hos 12-14 identify three large constituent literary units 12: 1-15; 13: 1-14: 1; 14: 2-9, in which the following key words can be discerned: 100b 'falsehood"; 21W (hiph) 'to return/repay'; tflb 'to die'; QVK `to become guilty'; Y1, 'to know'; Wl)l 'to tear open'; Z11T' ( qal) `to (re)turn'; and bfK `to love'. Chapter four is detailed exegetical studies on these key words. These are reviewed in the context of the book of Hosea as a whole, to understand their functions in Hos 12-14. Chapter five brings this thesis to a conclusion by summarising the discussions on the key words to comprehend the thematic unity of Hosea 12-14 - the relationship between Yahweh and Israel in Hos 12-14: the ' movement from his words of judgment (12: 1-14: 1) towards promises of her salvation (14: 2-9). This is followed by concluding observations