Introduction to Hosea 2:7: The Language of Infidelity and Rebellion
In Hosea 2:7, the prophet presents a startling accusation against Israel in the form of familial metaphor: “for their mother has played the harlot”. The verb זָנְתָה, drawn from the root זָנָה (zānah), carries not only its literal sexual connotation but functions as a powerful theological term describing spiritual betrayal and covenant disloyalty. This article examines the grammatical structure, semantic field, and prophetic use of the verb זָנְתָה in this poetic declaration of judgment.
כִּ֤י זָֽנְתָה֙ אִמָּ֔ם הֹבִ֖ישָׁה הֹֽורָתָ֑ם כִּ֣י אָמְרָ֗ה אֵלְכָ֞ה אַחֲרֵ֤י מְאַהֲבַי֙ נֹתְנֵ֤י לַחְמִי֙ וּמֵימַ֔י צַמְרִ֣י וּפִשְׁתִּ֔י שַׁמְנִ֖י וְשִׁקּוּיָֽי׃
Grammatical Analysis of זָנְתָה
The verb זָנְתָה comes from the root זָנָה (z-n-h), meaning “to commit fornication, be promiscuous, act as a prostitute.” In Hosea and other prophetic books, it takes on figurative force to describe idolatry, political alliances, or disloyalty to YHWH.
- Root: זָנָה (z-n-h) – “to commit harlotry”
- Form: Qal perfect, 3rd person feminine singular
- Subject: אִמָּם – “their mother” (metaphorically, the nation of Israel)
- Translation: “She has prostituted herself,” or “she has played the harlot”
The use of the Qal perfect emphasizes a completed action—not merely a future danger or potential misstep, but a decisive and shameful act already committed.
Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
כִּ֤י זָֽנְתָה֙ אִמָּ֔ם
- כִּ֤י – “For” or “Because,” introducing the reason for coming judgment.
- זָֽנְתָה – “She has played the harlot” (Qal perfect).
- אִמָּ֔ם – “Their mother” – personifying the people of Israel as a woman, mother to the individual Israelites.
הֹבִ֖ישָׁה הֹֽורָתָ֑ם
- הֹבִ֖ישָׁה – “She has been put to shame” (Hiphil perfect, 3rd feminine singular from בּוֹשׁ, “to be ashamed”).
- הֹֽורָתָ֑ם – “She who conceived them” (from הֹורֶה, “parent”). Parallel to “mother,” reinforcing the metaphor of familial betrayal.
כִּ֣י אָמְרָ֗ה אֵלְכָ֞ה אַחֲרֵ֤י מְאַהֲבַי֙
- אָמְרָ֗ה – “She said” (Qal perfect)
- אֵלְכָ֞ה – “I will go” (Qal imperfect with cohortative force)
- אַחֲרֵ֤י מְאַהֲבַי֙ – “after my lovers” – a recurring prophetic metaphor for alliances with foreign gods or nations.
נֹתְנֵ֤י לַחְמִי֙ וּמֵימַ֔י צַמְרִ֣י וּפִשְׁתִּ֔י שַׁמְנִ֖י וְשִׁקּוּיָֽי
The speaker justifies her harlotry with material benefits. Each item represents provision, wealth, and comfort she attributes to her “lovers” (i.e., false gods or foreign nations):
- לַחְמִי וּמֵימַ֔י – “my bread and my water”
- צַמְרִ֣י וּפִשְׁתִּ֔י – “my wool and my linen”
- שַׁמְנִ֖י – “my oil”
- שִׁקּוּיָֽי – “my drink,” perhaps wine or luxury beverages
This inventory represents economic abundance, which Israel wrongly attributes to Baʿal or foreign alliances rather than to YHWH.
Theological and Prophetic Significance of זָנְתָה
1. Covenant Infidelity
The verb זָנְתָה functions as the prophetic metaphor for idolatry. In the covenantal framework, Israel is metaphorically “married” to YHWH. Seeking other gods is tantamount to adultery. This metaphor makes the theological violation visceral and personal.
2. Maternal Imagery and National Shame
The subject of זָנְתָה is “their mother,” reinforcing the corporate identity of Israel. This is not just an individual failing—it is national, generational, and systemic. The shame is magnified by the familial metaphor, combining spiritual adultery with parental betrayal.
3. Idolatry as Economic Dependence
The woman (Israel) says she will go after her lovers because they provide her needs. This shows that idolatry is often driven by fear and desire for security. Theologically, it is a failure to trust YHWH as provider.
The Role of זָנְתָה in Hosea 2:7
The verb זָנְתָה in Hosea 2:7 is theological shorthand for the entire prophetic indictment. It captures:
- Grammatically: Qal perfect 3fs – a decisive, completed act of betrayal.
- Literarily: A poetic trigger that introduces the following speech of justification and judgment.
- Theologically: The core sin of Israel—idolatry masked as political or economic survival—framed as spiritual harlotry.
This single word—זָנְתָה—encapsulates the tragedy of a people who, though chosen and cherished, have turned to others for what only YHWH can truly provide.
