Det växtrelaterade bildspråket i Hosea bok. Kan kunskap om växtförädling påverka vår förståelse av bildspråket i Hosea bok?

Abstract

The purpose is to study Hosea's use of plant symbols in his metaphorical language, and in addition to this, how aspects of plant breeding in his times may have influenced the author's use of plant symbolism in the Book of Hosea. The main question is: Can knowledge of plant breeding influence the understanding of the metaphorical language in the Book of Hosea? Plant related vocabulary in the Book of Hosea is identified, categorized and consequently studied with grammatical-semantical criticism, literary criticism and metaphorical analysis. This is then contrasted with horticultural knowledge. Finally, an analysis of plant related words in three pericopes is presented. Studies of the plant related metaphorical language in correlation with horticultural knowledge results in a deepened understanding of the symbols and metaphors. This leads to a more complex understanding of Hosea’s use of metaphorical language instead of a homogenous picture of the plants. The conclusion is therefore, that knowledge of plant breeding, ancient grains, soil quality and pollen spreading contributes to a deepened analysis and understanding of the use of plant related symbolism, here in the Book of Hosea, and wherever else plants are mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.