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“I am God and Not Human” (Hos 11,9) : Can Divine Compassion Overcome our Anthropomorphisms?

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Author

Summary, in English

Hos 11,8-9 is characterized by its strong anthropomorphic language

and by its (illusory?) disassociation from it. A reference to Israel’s God as “not human” motivates the unexpected change of mind and compassion for God’s Israel. This article is based on a tradition-historical oriented typological reading of the expression “I am God and not human.” It suggests a new interpretation of this expression which throws a new light on the notoriously difficult conclusion of the passage: “I will not enter the city.” The exegetical discussion

normally focuses on what is going on in YHWH’s mind and heart,

but also on the alleged struggle between anger and love. The author’s interpretation points to the risk of transforming the pain of God into an internal transaction, with which it is hard to sympathize and to feel involved.

K

For many of us, the dynamic notion of God found

Department/s

Publishing year

2015

Language

English

Pages

135-151

Publication/Series

Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament

Volume

29

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Topic

  • Philosophy, Ethics and Religion

Keywords

  • Bible
  • Old Testament
  • God
  • Hosea
  • anthropomorphisms
  • divine repentance
  • holiness
  • compassion
  • Sodom

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0901-8328