DOCSLIB.ORG

Hosea 11:12-12:14 God's

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Hosea 11:12-12:14 God's Hosea 11:12-12:14 God’s 'Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit. Judah still wanders with God and is faithful to the holy ones. Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and violence. He makes a covenant with Assyria, and olive oil is carried to Egypt. The Lord also has a dispute with Judah. He is about to punish Jacob according to his conduct; he will repay him based on his actions. In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and as an adult he wrestled with God. Jacob struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with him. The Lord is the God of Armies; the Lord is his name. But you must return to your God. Maintain love and justice, and always put your hope in God. A merchant loves to extort with dishonest scales in his hands. But Ephraim thinks, “How rich I have become; I made it all myself. In all my earnings, no one can find any iniquity in me that I can be punished for!” I have been the Lord your God ever since the land of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again, as in the festival days. I will speak through the prophets and grant many visions; I will give parables through the prophets. Since Gilead is full of evil, they will certainly come to nothing. They sacrifice bulls in Gilgal; even their altars will be like piles of rocks on the furrows of a field. Jacob fled to the territory of Aram. Israel worked to earn a wife; he tended flocks for a wife. The Lord brought Israel from Egypt by a prophet, and Israel was tended by a prophet. Ephraim has provoked bitter anger, so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him and repay him for his contempt.' Introduction This book can be difficult to follow because the author (God through Hosea) refers to his audience with many different names. He calls the Northern kingdom Israel, Ephraim, Jacob, Samaria and even refers to them by the names of several prominent cities, Gilgal, Gilead, etc... Even the names of the two major kingdoms Israel and Judah were the names of Jacob (named Israel at Bethel) and Judah, the son of Jacob from whose line the rightful king of Israel would come. The reason God uses these names for Israel is because the story of the Isrealites is a story stretching over a thousand years, and their past, present and future are bound up indivisibly. As you read this book you will see the author continuing bringing them back to the entire history of Israel from the creation of the nation at the time of the Exodus and ever farther back to the time of the Patriarchs. This chapter in particular uses the character of Jacob and his story to remind them of how they have failed to live up to the example of their namesake. The story of Jacob fleeing from his brother Esau’s wrath at stealing his birthright and his blessing and traveling to the land of his uncle Laban to find a wife is critical to understanding this passage. While on the way back from Aram, Jacob wrestles with God, and is named Israel. Once you have that background, it is easier to see how God is using that flawed but ultimately faithful character to show the great failing of his namesake, the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Day 2 - Hosea 11:12-12:6 'Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit. Judah still wanders with God and is faithful to the holy ones. What does God accuse Ephraim of here? Are there specific lies in mind here? Is there a difference between Ephraim and Israel here? What is the comparison between Israel and Judah here? Is Judah doing what is right? Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and violence. He makes a covenant with Assyria, and olive oil is carried to Egypt. What does it mean that Ephraim chased the wind? What does it mean that he multiplies lies and violence? Why does he say they made a covenant with Assyria and olive oil is carried to Egypt? The Lord also has a dispute with Judah. He is about to punish Jacob according to his conduct; he will repay him based on his actions. Is Judah completely innocent? Who does God/Hoshea mean when they refer to Jocab. When it says God is about to punish according to his conduct, does that mean punishment that is deserved based on his conduct? Why is this same thing repeated in another way? In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and as an adult he wrestled with God. Jacob struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with him. How does Hosea characterize Jacob’s character as demonstrated by these events in his life? What does Hosea seem to be commending about Jacob? Why is Hosea bringing up Jacob here? The Lord is the God of Armies; the Lord is his name. But you must return to your God. Maintain love and justice, and always put your hope in God. What attribute of God does Hosea emphasize here? Why? What does he say Israel should do here? Why is he telling them this? Day 3 Hosea 12:7-11 A merchant loves to extort with dishonest scales in his hands. But Ephraim thinks, “How rich I have become; I made it all myself. In all my earnings, no one can find any iniquity in me that I can be punished for!” According to this the “merchant” is aware that he is cheating others and takes pride in doing it. How does he contrast this with Ephraim? Does Ephraim recognize who is responsible for its wealth? Are they really innocent of any wrongdoing? How would you characterize Ephraim according to this passage. I have been the Lord your God ever since the land of Egypt. I will make you live in tents again, as in the festival days. I will speak through the prophets and grant many visions; I will give parables through the prophets. What does God remind them about? What does he then tell them will happen? What is he telling them that he will speak through prophets? Is this tied to their living in tents again? Since Gilead is full of evil, they will certainly come to nothing. They sacrifice bulls in Gilgal; even their altars will be like piles of rocks on the furrows of a field. What is Gilead here for? What does it mean they will come to nothing? What does it mean that they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal? What are these altars and what does it mean that they will be like piles of rocks in the furrows on a field? Day 4 Hosea 12:12-14 2 Jacob fled to the territory of Aram. Israel worked to earn a wife; he tended flocks for a wife. What does it mean Jacob fled to the territory of Aram? Fled what? Is this the same person (Israel) that worked to earn a wife? What does this mean to the nation of Israel? Do you think God may be telling Israel they too will be exiled and have to work to prove their worth? The Lord brought Israel from Egypt by a prophet, and Israel was tended by a prophet. Who was the prophet who brought them from Israel? Again, why is this being emphasized? Is Israel also going to be “tended by a prophet”? What might that mean? Ephraim has provoked bitter anger, so his Lord will leave his bloodguilt on him and repay him for his contempt.' How does this final sentence function here? Is it telling us anything new or maybe just summing up? Discussion Questions 'Ephraim surrounds me with lies, the house of Israel, with deceit. Judah still wanders with God and is faithful to the holy ones. Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and violence. He makes a covenant with Assyria, and olive oil is carried to Egypt. The Lord also has a dispute with Judah. He is about to punish Jacob according to his conduct; he will repay him based on his actions. Much of Hosea functions as a court case against Israel. What is the primary charge being leveled against Ephraim (i.e. the Northern Kingdom of Israel) here? In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and as an adult he wrestled with God. Jacob struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought his favor. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with him. The Lord is the God of Armies; the Lord is his name. But you must return to your God. Maintain love and justice, and always put your hope in God. Hosea/God here refer to their audience as Jacob, pointing out several key events in the actual Jacob’s life. How does Hosea/God compare Israel with its namesake Jacob? A merchant loves to extort with dishonest scales in his hands. But Ephraim thinks, “How rich I have become; I made it all myself. In all my earnings, no one can find any iniquity in me that I can be punished for!” Now the author compares Ephraim to a dishonest merchant who revels in cheating others.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hosea 11:1-11
    OLD TESTAMENT EXEGETICAL PROJECT – HOSEA 11:1-11 Name: E Philip Davis Tutor: Dr M Evans Module: B2 Old Testament Date: 4/5/06 Outline: 1 Introduction 2 The Book of Hosea 3 Hosea 11:1-11 as a unit 4 Selected literary and critical questions 5 Exegesis 6 Relevance and application 7 Conclusion 2 1 Introduction Hosea 11:1-11 is “one of the great chapters of the Old Testament”1 where Yahweh’s love “reaches an explicit tenderness and detail unmatched in the Old Testament”2. It is a poem of God’s love for Israel, despite all its failings and lack of repentance, an Israel whose place is of course now taken by the church. In this exegetical project, we use as a baseline the NIV translation, which is set out in Section 5. 2 The Book of Hosea Hosea was believed to have prophesied in Israel in the 7th Century BC, spanning the time from the ease and prosperity of the reign of Jeroboam II, through political and economic instability and finally Assyrian invasion, which culminated in the sack of Samaria in 721 BC. At that point many citizens were deported or scattered. Some faithful followers of Yahweh probably went to Judah at this time, taking the work of Hosea with them. Hosea’s book accuses Israel of sins against the covenant with Yahweh – notably syncretism and worship of foreign gods - which were certain to lead to punishment in the short term, although a promise of blessing for the faithful thereafter recurs. There is a close link to the curses of Deuteronomy 4:20-31, as God was prophesied to enforce the terms of his covenant.
    [Show full text]
  • Minor Prophets L2 Hosea.Pdf
    A Study of the "Minor" Prophets Hosea A Study of the "Less Verbose" Prophets Hosea What should we gain from • The origin of Hosea this study? • The basic message of Hosea • Why study Hosea? • An outline of Hosea • The book is named for the prophet whose work it contains The origin of • Hosea means "salvation" Hosea • The book emphasizes that salvation for Israel would be found only in God (1:7; 13:4, 10; 14:3) • The author • Book claims to contain the words of God spoken to and through Hosea (1:1-2; 3:1) • Apostle Paul credits Hosea with recording the words of God (Rom 9:25-26; cf. Hos 2:23; The origin of 1:10) Hosea • Son of Beeri (1:1) • Apparently, a citizen of northern kingdom of Israel (7:5) • Married to an adulterous wife, Gomer (1:2-3) • Had two sons and a daughter (1:4-9) • Date • Pre-exile • During reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and The origin of Hezekiah, kings of Judah (1:1) • During reign of Jeroboam son of Joash, king Hosea of Israel (1:1) • Hosea likely prophesied from 755-725 BC with the book written near the end of this period • Jehu – 28 years (2 Kng 10:36) • Jehoahaz – 17 years (2 Kng 13:1) • Joash – 16 years (2 Kng 13:10) • Jeroboam – 41 years (2 Kng 14:23) God's • Zechariah – 6 months (2 Kng 15:8) promise to • Jehu killed Ahab's house in Jezreel Jehu • Hosea's first son brings to mind God's judgment against Ahab (cf.
    [Show full text]
  • The 12 Tribes in the Last Days: Genesis 49 Explained 1
    The 12 Tribes In The Last Days: Genesis 49 Explained 1. Malachi 4:4-6 (Since the time of John the Baptist and birth of Christ we have been living in the last days. Remember Jesus was crucified in the middle of the week or 7,000. Since his death we have been in the latter half of the thousand year=day period.) 2. Acts 2:14-24 3. Hebrews 1:1-4 4. Genesis 37:1-11 (The twelve tribes of Israel are the physical embodiment of a spiritual concept I.E. the church. Physical Israel [Israelites a Black people cursed, in captivity, and scattered to the four corners of the earth] and Spiritual Israel [body of Christ].Spiritual Israel must put themselves under the banner of the Israelites the Priests of God.) 5. Revelation 12 6. Ephesians 2:11-13 7. Exodus 12:1-20_49 8. Acts 7:21-43 9. Genesis 49:1-4 (Reuben. Reuben physically defiled his father’s bed but this also has a spiritual meaning for the church.Remember Jacob is prophesying here meaning he is saying what thus declareth the Lord.So it is the Lord talking. Jacob is merely the vessel.) 10. Genesis 35:16-29 11. Exodus 4:22-23 (The Israelites as a nation are Yah’s firstborn son just like Reuben is Jacob’s.) 12. Isaiah 45:4 13. Psalm 147:19-20 (Israelites job is to priest unto all the sons of Adam) 14. Exodus 19:1-7 This was probably around pentecost ​ 15. Ephesians 5:22-32 (The church is Christ’s wife/bride) 16.
    [Show full text]
  • The Prophetic Wisdom of Hosea Lesson One an Introduction to Hosea
    The Prophetic Wisdom of Hosea Lesson 1 An Introduction to Hosea Manuscript -0- For videos, lesson guides and other resources, visit Thirdmill at thirdmill.org. © 2017 by Third Millennium Ministries All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means for profit, except in brief quotations for the purposes of review, comment, or scholarship, without written permission from the publisher, Third Millennium Ministries, Inc., 316 Live Oaks Blvd., Casselberry, Florida 32707. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ABOUT THIRDMILL Founded in 1997, Thirdmill is a non-profit Evangelical Christian ministry dedicated to providing: Biblical Education. For the World. For Free. Our goal is to offer free Christian education to hundreds of thousands of pastors and Christian leaders around the world who lack sufficient training for ministry. We are meeting this goal by producing and globally distributing an unparalleled multimedia seminary curriculum in English, Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, and Spanish. Our curriculum is also being translated into more than a dozen other languages through our partner ministries. The curriculum consists of graphic-driven videos, printed instruction, and internet resources. It is designed to be used by schools, groups, and individuals, both online and in learning communities. Over the years, we have developed a highly cost-effective method of producing award- winning multimedia lessons of the finest content and quality. Our writers and editors are theologically-trained educators, our translators are theologically-astute native speakers of their target languages, and our lessons contain the insights of hundreds of respected seminary professors and pastors from around the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Priests and Cults in the Book of the Twelve
    PRIESTS & CULTS in the BOOK OF THE TWELVE Edited by Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer Ancient Near East Monographs Monografías sobre el Antiguo Cercano Oriente Society of Biblical Literature Centro de Estudios de Historia del Antiguo Oriente (UCA) Priests and Cults in the Book of the twelve anCient near eastern MonograPhs General Editors alan lenzi Juan Manuel tebes Editorial Board: reinhard achenbach C. l. Crouch esther J. hamori rené krüger Martti nissinen graciela gestoso singer number 14 Priests and Cults in the Book of the twelve Edited by lena-sofia tiemeyer Atlanta Copyright © 2016 by sBl Press all rights reserved. no part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by means of any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permit- ted by the 1976 Copyright act or in writing from the publisher. requests for permission should be addressed in writing to the rights and Permissions office,s Bl Press, 825 hous- ton Mill road, atlanta, ga 30329 usa. library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data names: tiemeyer, lena-sofia, 1969- editor. | krispenz, Jutta. idolatry, apostasy, prostitution : hosea’s struggle against the cult. Container of (work): title: Priests and cults in the Book of the twelve / edited by lena-sofia tiemeyer. description: atlanta : sBl Press, [2016] | ©2016 | series: ancient near east monographs ; number 14 | includes bibliographical references and index. identifiers: lCCn 2016005375 (print) | lCCn 2016005863 (ebook) | isBn 9781628371345 (pbk. : alk. paper) | isBn 9780884141549 (hardcover : alk. paper) | isBn 9780884141532 (ebook) subjects: lCSH: Priests, Jewish.
    [Show full text]
  • Hosea an Inspiring Quote the Book of Hosea Who Wrote This Book?
    Hosea The prophet Hosea in the 8th century BCE protested violently against Israelite religious practices. An inspiring quote “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6). The Book of Hosea Hosea came from the north and preached at the same time as Amos. He discovered the tenderness of God through personal experience. He loved his wife, although she behaved badly towards him; through his love he succeeded in restoring to her the feelings she had had when she was young. This is how God loves us: not because we are good, but so that we can become good (Hosea 1-3). The book begins with God’s command to Hosea to marry an unfaithful wife who he loved passionately and the first few chapters describe what happened when he did so. Chapter 4 onwards contains a range of messages from God via Hosea, first to the people of Israel (chapters 4-11) and then to the people of Israel and Judah (chapters 11-14), about the anger God felt because of their betrayal of him through injustice, corruption and their worship of other gods. Woven between these messages of doom are some messages of hope, pointing to what God’s people can look forward to beyond the times of trouble. Who wrote this book? The author is announced as Hosea in verses 1:1-2. He was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Hosea, in Hebrew, means salvation but Hosea is popularly termed “the prophet of doom”.
    [Show full text]
  • Pursue Love and Justice
    May 31 Lesson 14 (NIV) PURSUE LOVE AND JUSTICE DEVOTIONAL READING: Deuteronomy 8:11–20 BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Hosea 11; 12 HOSEA 11:1, 2, 7–10 1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.” . 7 “My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them. 8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. 9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man— the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities. 10 They will follow the LORD; he will roar like a lion. When he roars, his children will come trembling from the west.” HOSEA 12:1, 2, 6–14 1 Ephraim feeds on the wind; he pursues the east wind all day and multiplies lies and violence. He makes a treaty with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt. 2 The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds. 6 But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.
    [Show full text]
  • Hosea 11:12-12:14 1
    Hosea 11:12-12:14 1. In the Hebrew 11:12 goes with 12:1 2. 11:12 is YHWH finishing his speech against Israel’s false realities. 3. 12:1-2 Hosea begins by responding to YHWH’s previous words. Hosea accuses both Northern Israel and Judah of violating YHWH’s covenant a. 12:2 completes the accusation b. 12:2 also introduces Hosea’s comparison of current Israel to Jacob 4. 12:3-8 Hosea compares current Israel to the biblical account of Jacob’s life a. This is just like YHWH had compared current Israel to the Exodus generation b. 12:6-8 are a response to 12:2-5 accusations 5. 12:9-11 – YHWH resumes speaking. YHWH focuses on his self-revelation to Israel and their lack of excuse for not knowing what to do. a. 12:9 YHWH revealed himself at the Exodus and in the wilderness b. Then, in 12:10 YHWH turns to the prophets that have spoken (and, are speaking) to Israel in order to reveal YHWH’s thoughts and will. c. 12:11 is a puzzling, mysterious riddle (meant to reflect the sayings similar to the words of the prophets referred to in 12:10). 6. 12:12-14 Hosea speaks. He expands on the very words YHWH spoke in 12:9-11: a. Compare: 12:9 Exodus fled to wilderness and tents with 12:12 Jacob fled to Aram to work for wife b. Compare: 12:10 role of the prophets with 12:13 a prophet led the Exodus and guarded the people c.
    [Show full text]
  • Matthew's Hermeneutical Methodology in Matthew 2:15
    Journal of Biblical and Theological Studies JBTSVOLUME 2 | ISSUE 1 Matthew’s Hermeneutical Methodology in Matthew 2:15 Robert Yost [JBTS 2.1 (2016): 66-87] Matthew’s Hermeneutical Methodology in Matthew 2:15 ROBERT YOST Robert Yost (PhD, DMin) is Vice President of Academic Affairs Emeritus, Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary Abstract: In Matthew 2:15, Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 and states that the events recounted are a direct fulfillment of Hosea’s prophecy. However, the Hosea passage is a clear reference to the exodus, not to an event which occurred over 1400 years later. Was Matthew playing fast and loose with Hosea’s prophecy? Was his statement of fulfillment an abuse of Hosea’s context and meaning? Matthew 2:15 is one of the most problematic passages in the Bible with respect to the New Testament use of the Old Testament. Key Words: prophecy, fulfillment, typology,midrash, pesher, sensus plenior, analogical. Introduction The use of the Old Testament by New Testament writers can certainly be problematic and has for centuries been the subject of much debate. A particularly vexing problem and perhaps the best-known example is the use of Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15. In 2:15 Matthew quotes the prophet Hosea to demonstrate that the flight of Joseph and Mary to Egypt and their subsequent return after Herod’s infanticide was a direct fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. However, it is apparent after even a cursory examination of the text that it is not a prophecy at all, but rather a reference to a past historical event in Israel’s history.
    [Show full text]
  • Hosea 6 Resources
    Hosea 6 Resources Click chart to enlarge Click chart to enlarge Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission Click chart to enlarge OUTLINE OF HOSEA I. The Prodigal Wife, Hosea 1:1-3:5 A. Her Unfaithfulness, Hosea 1:1-11 B. Her Punishment, Hosea 2:1-13 C. Her Restoration and Israel's, Hosea 2:14-23 D. Her Redemption, Hosea 3:1-5 II. The Prodigal People, Hosea 4:1-14:9 A. The Message of Judgment, Hosea 4:1-10:15 1. The indictment, Hosea 4:1-19 2. The verdict, Hosea 5:1-15 3. The plea of Israel, Hosea 6:1-3 4. The reply of the Lord, Hosea 6:4-11 5. The crimes of Israel, Hosea 7:1-16 6. The prophecy of judgment, Hosea 8:1-10:15 B. The Message of Restoration, Hosea 11:1-14:9 1. God's love for the prodigal people, Hosea 11:1-11 2. God's chastisement of the prodigal people, Hosea 11:12-13:16 3. God's restoration of the prodigal people, Hosea 14:1-9 Ryrie Study Bible ALBERT BARNES NOTES Be a Berean - Not Always Literal especially in prophetic passages. Hosea 6 Commentary W J BEECHER The Prophets and the Promise - 433 Page Book BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR Be a Berean - Not Always Literal especially in prophetic passages. Hosea 6 Commentary BRIAN BELL Calvary Chapel Conservative, Literal Interpretation Hosea 5,6 The Moth, The Rot, &The Lion! BIBLE.ORG RESOURCES Resources that Reference Hosea Hosea 6 BRIDGEWAY BIBLE COMMENTARY Hosea 6 JEREMIAH BURROUGHS Hosea - Exposition of the Prophecy of Hosea JOHN CALVIN Commentary on Hosea Note: Calvin's prayers are excellent, and are very convicting - Suggestion: Read them aloud, very slowly and as a sincere prayer to the Almighty God.
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15: One More Time
    JETS 55/4 (2012) 697–715 THE USE OF HOSEA 11:1 IN MATTHEW 2:15: ONE MORE TIME G. K. BEALE* Matthew’s use of Hos 11:1 is a notoriously difficult and debated text: Joseph “was there [Egypt] until the death of Herod in ordEr that what had bEEn spokEn by the Lord through the prophet should bE fulfilled, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’”1 There are three problems with the way in which MatthEw usEs thE OT passagE from HosEa. The first is that the verse in Hosea is a mErE historical reflection, but Matthew clearly understands it as a dirEct prophEcy that is fulfillEd in Christ. ThE second problEm is that what Hosea attributEs to the nation Israel, Matthew attrib- utEs to thE individual JEsus. Third, thE Hos 11:1 refErEnce to Israel coming out of Egypt first introduces the holy family with Jesus EntEring into Egypt, and it is only later in Matt 2:21 that JEsus and his parEnts come out of Egypt. In view of these problems, thEre havE been a variety of responses. One com- mentator has said that this passage is “a parade example of the manner in which the NT uses thE OT,” especially in not being “interested in reproducing the meaning” of the OT texts but in reading into the OT foreign Christological presuppositions.2 Another commentator has said that this is “thE most troubling casE” of “NT exEgE- sis of thE OT” for many pEoplE.3 OthErs havE viEwEd thE usE of HosEa 11 as a mere mistaken interpretation by Matthew, somEhow viEwing Hos 11:1 as a prophE- cy when it was only a historical reflection on the original exodus.4 For example, M.
    [Show full text]
  • From Proverb to Prophecy: Textual Production and Theology In
    STR 11.1 (Spring 2020): 3–30 4 SOUTHEASTERN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW 30:1–6 theologically comments upon the promise to David. Proverbs 30:1–6 presents the reader with more than one enigma. A brief survey of introductory statements by scholars demonstrates the dif- From Proverb to Prophecy: Textual Production ficulties in the text. One scholar says, “In a book filled with difficult patches, the Words of Agur (Prov 30:1–9) remain among the most diffi- and Theology in Proverbs 30:1–6 cult and contentious. Basic questions of genre, function, and the peric- ope’s extent have not found a consensus.” 2 Another comments, “Indeed, Tracy J. McKenzie with Jonathan Shelton every word in the superscription has been disputed by the versions or by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary scholarship.” 3 A third opines, “Recent scholarly treatment of this passage has led to readings as different in their grasp of a single text as one could Proverbs 30:1–6 draws upon tradition and texts in the Hebrew Bible in order to probably find anywhere in biblical interpretation.”4 The passage contains contribute to the ongoing discussion of the Davidic son of God. This article analyzes dubious lexical forms, perplexing idioms and grammatical constructions, texts in the Hebrew Bible that have a relationship with Prov 30:1–6 and discusses and theological conundrums since it stems from a book otherwise con- how various texts build upon and develop the promise that YHWH would give David taining wisdom features. 5 These issues form the impulse for our analysis. a son who would reign forever.
    [Show full text]