Menafsir Metafora Dalam Kitab Hosea: Historis Kritis, Feminis, dan Ideologis

Abstract

The book of Hosea is one among a few books in the First Testament that gives rise to the diversity of interpretations. The text contains some language problems which prevent clear meaning. Its use of pornographic imagery as metaphor for the wrong doers has also provoked disagreements among the interpreters. Scholars throughout the ages have tried to look for the best way to receive the disturbing metaphor. By relating the Book with some historical circumstances, the metaphor is understood as representation of an historical reality, namely, the unfit leadership of the Israelite and Judahite communities. According to this interpretation, the use of sexual imagery should not bother the readers as it merely serves to convey the harsh criticism towards the community leaders who brought the society into chaos. However, feminist interpreters do not agree with such kind of interpretation. In their view, unravelling the ideology that allows such the use of metaphor that denigrate woman is the main task of interpretation. Their criticism has opened our eyes of how ideology plays significant roles in the production of the Book. The story of Hosea and Gomer should not be taken for granted as it results from a certain way of thinking. The view of the writer of the Book, for the feminists, is strongly misogynistic that it deserves severe criticism. While criticizing the gender imbalance view of the Book, the feminists seem to forget the main purpose of the metaphor. This writing wants to show that the metaphor is actually intended to alarm the worst socio-political situation. The blame of the socio-political turbulences is put on the shoulder of those whose view differs from that of the writer's. While blaming the opponents, the Book urges the acceptance of a dreamed society of the ideal.