Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 75 No. 1, 2005.
Izvorni znanstveni članak
Flora in the World of Symbols in the Second Part of Hosea's Book. Metaphorical Expression for People
Ivan Šporčić
; Teologija u Rijeci - Područni studij Katoličkog bogoslovnog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Sažetak
Using modern exegetical and linguistic methods, the author of the article analyses in a specific manner the particular passages in Hos 4-14. He examines the flora that the eight-century prophet of Northern Israel utilizes in this part of his book. The author emphases the polisemitisation of individual phrases used for flora. As is evident from the subtitle of the article, the prophet uses concepts from the plant world in a metaphorical manner. His reason for using metaphor is to, even more clearly, express his thoughts on the Chosen People and their relationship towards God's covenant and JHWH. The Biblical Hebrew language by its nature gravitates towards a more pictorial manner of expression, and is less apt for expressing ideas and doctrinal concepts.
The author in his introduction defines the theme and his choice of methodical approach. Special attention is given to a presentation of the fundamental theoretical principles of metaphors used by the author specifically in his treatment of the theme. Special emphasis for a correct evaluation of the metaphorical approach usage in individual expressions is placed contextually. In the first subtitle »Plants as symbols of the apostasy of the People of God« the author synthesizes those flora passages from Hos 4-14 which do not have a direct metaphoric application to the People, but suggest something else of primary meaning: unfaithfulness and abandoning God. The main object of research are two longer pericopes (9:10-10:1 and 14:6-9) which account for the majority of passages in which the prophet uses words from a semantic flora environment applying it to the people to whom he is sent to preach. The first pericope concerns the four separate metaphors (9:10a; 9:13a; 9:16a; 10:la) and two additional ones (9:10b; 9:11) not belonging directly to this group, but are treated due to their strong contextual associations. In the pericope 14:6-9 where the lily, poplar tree, olive tree, vineyard are literally associated with the people, the author sees the most beautiful proclamation of salvation in Hosea's book. In the fourth part, the comparisons between 6:4b and 13:3 not of the plant world are treated though closely relating to it. The article's conclusion is a biblical-theological synthesis of the mentioned exegetical-literary analysis. Using the flora as a theological medium, emphasis is also placed on some of Hosea's theological constants which come to expresion through the metaphoric use of the floral motive: JHVH is the fac totum existence of the Israelite people; the people sin in adoring other deities, especially those associated with fertility of the land; God forgives the people's apostasy (he heals them) and opens the prospect of prosperity and salvation.
Ključne riječi
Hosea; JHWH; people; flora (grapes, figs, vine, lily, poplar tree, olive tree, vineyard); metaphor; cloud; frost; chaff; smoke; selection; sin; salvation
Hrčak ID:
24683
URI
Datum izdavanja:
7.9.2005.
Posjeta: 2.067 *