A Phenomenological Reading of Hosea 12:4–5 and 11:1–2

Hosea 12.4-5 and 11.1-2 contain difficult and perplexing phrasings in the Hebrew. The present study plunges deeply into what might be discovered through a series of foundation-setting analytical exegeses followed by illustrative applications to multiple hermeneutical phenomenological investigations.

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A Phenomenological Reading of Hosea 12.4-5 and 11.1-2: Commune with Us explores two passages from the Hebrew Bible’s prophetic book containing puzzling plurals in the original language, pieces so enigmatic they are usually changed entirely in translation. Andrew Oberg, however, considers them delightfully confusing, and through in-depth examinations builds a “patchwork” version for each. These reconstructions are then brought to bear on four separate interpretative interactions per pairing, based on alternative pre-comprehensions that the author investigates using phenomenological methods to trace, describe, and wonder on the resulting responses. Finally, Oberg widens the focus of study and presents an approach to engaging with scripture, of whatever faith and lineage, that applies the lessons taken into a technique that could be used by any reader towards a deeper “interrogation” of their literary heritage. Oberg finds that the treasures we have received from tradition still – yet, always – have volumes and volumes to speak.