Overview

One of the central metaphors in the Book of Hosea is the metaphor of illness and healing, which is explicitly or implicitly mentioned with frequency throughout the text. This book focuses on the social connotations of the metaphor of illness and healing in Hosea 5:8-6:3 and 7:1-7. It incorporates a theoretical analysis of metaphor into a sociological discussion about the social reality of eighth-century Israel and Judah as well as a comparative study of the concept of illness and healing in the ancient Near East and traditional East Asia (Korea). This book breaks new ground by exploring the crucial significance of the metaphor in the socio-economic context of eighth-century Israel and Judah.

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9780820481555

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« Seong-Hyuk Hong's work is particularly noteworthy for its integration of scholarly universes of discourse that usually remain separate. In his skilled hands, socioeconomic history, metaphor theory, and the comparative study of premodern conceptualizations of illness and healing are brought into sustained dialogue to articulate a new and illuminating perspective on the interpretation of Hosea. His intentional and explicit embrace of his Korean heritage in the comparative dimensions of the project not only adds texture and discernment, but presages interpretational frontiers of great promise and interest. Scholars and students alike will find this book a treasure trove of insights and resources. -- Marvin L. Chaney

Seong-Hyuk Hong has placed into constructive dialogue two areas often held to be incompatible: social-scientific analysis and literary (metaphor) theory. The prophet Hosea is a challenging but wonderful text for the sort of analysis that makes clear why the religious and social structures of Israel were in such a debilitated condition - sick unto death. The comparative work on two traditional societies - ancient Israel and contemporary Korea - also opens the door for fresh insights about categories like health, healing, and illness. This is an original and illuminating study. (Barbara Green, Professor of Biblical Studies, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Graduate Theological Union) Seong-Hyuk Hong's work is particularly noteworthy for its integration of scholarly universes of discourse that usually remain separate. In his skilled hands, socioeconomic history, metaphor theory, and the comparative study of premodern conceptualizations of illness and healing are brought into sustained dialogue to articulate a new and illuminating perspective on the interpretation of Hosea. His intentional and explicit embrace of his Korean heritage in the comparative dimensions of the project not only adds texture and discernment, but presages interpretational frontiers of great promise and interest. Scholars and students alike will find this book a treasure trove of insights and resources. (Marvin L. Chaney, Nathaniel Gray Professor of Hebrew Exegesis and Old Testament, San Francisco Theological Seminary and Graduate Theological Union)

Author Information

The Author: Seong-Hyuk Hong is Instructor of Old Testament at Seoul Theological University, Korea. He received his Ph.D. in biblical studies from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California, and has published articles in journals.

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