Abstract
The book of Hosea is one among a few books in the First Testament that gives rise to the diversity of interpretations. The text contains some language problems which prevent clear meaning. Its use of pornographic imagery as metaphor for the wrong doers has also provoked disagreements among the interpreters. Scholars throughout the ages have tried to look for the best way to receive the disturbing metaphor. By relating the Book with some historical circumstances, the metaphor is understood as representation of an historical reality, namely, the unfit leadership of the Israelite and Judahite communities. According to this interpretation, the use of sexual imagery should not bother the readers as it merely serves to convey the harsh criticism towards the community leaders who brought the society into chaos. However, feminist interpreters do not agree with such kind of interpretation. In their view, unravelling the ideology that allows such the use of metaphor that denigrate woman is the main task of interpretation. Their criticism has opened our eyes of how ideology plays siginificant roles in the production of the Book. The story of Hosea and Gomer should not be taken for granted as it results from a certain way of thinking. The view of the writer of the Book, for the feminitsts, is strongly misogynistic that it deserves severe criticism. While criticizing the gender imbalance view of the Book, the feminists seem to forget the main purpose of the metaphor. This writing wants to show that the metaphor is actually intended to alarm the worst socio-political situation. The blame of the socio-political turbulences is put on the shoulder of those whose view differs from that of the writer's. While blaming the opponents, the Book urges the acceptance of a dreamed society of the ideal.
Highlights
The book of Hosea is one among a few books in the First Testament that gives rise to the diversity of interpretations
Teks Hosea mengandung permasalahan bahasa yang mencegah kejelasan makna
Persoalan perendahan terhadap perempuan seperti yang dilihat oleh penafsir feminis tadi, sangat mungkin bukan dianggap sebagai masalah oleh audience Hosea
Summary
Ayat-ayat seperti 2:8 dan 10:1 mengindikasikan kesejahteraan yang baik melalui hasil panen yang melimpah dan kekayaan yang diperoleh dari keberhasilan panen itu. Kondisi yang baik itu justru dipermasalahkan oleh Hosea. Kesuksesan materi tersebut adalah justru bukti dari keserakahan. Padahal Yahweh adalah sumber dari kesuksesan tersebut. Sebagai hukuman dari dilupakannya Yahweh itu, 2:13 menyebutkan tentang pembalikan keadaan dari sejahtera ke keadaan seperti di padang gurun. Penaklukan Asyur dan Babel membuat Israel dan Yehuda seperti berada di padang gurun. Kita dapat menangkap bahwa yang dimaksudkan oleh Hosea adalah padang gurun itu lebih baik daripada hidup berkelimpahan. Bahkan ketika padang gurun itu berarti sebuah hidup yang penuh penderitaan, itu tetap lebih baik ketimbang hidup dalam kelimpahan namun membuat orang lupa akan Yahweh. Di 13:5-8 padang gurun dilukiskan seperti semacam tempat pendidikan bagi Israel untuk mengenal kekuasaan Tuhan
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