Hoshea's wife/2

Hoshea's wife

Exegetical Approaches

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Hoshea married a prostitute

Sources:Bavli PesachimPesachim 87a-bAbout the Bavli, RidHoshea 1:2About R. Yeshayah of Trani

Would Hashem command a prophet to sin? The Rid says explicitly that since Hashem is the one who commanded not to take a prostitute, he can also say that it is allowed ("הפה שאסר הוא הפה שהתיר").

What is the meaning of this prophecy?

To whom is this prophecy intended? Bavli Pesachim says that Hoshea's was commanded to take a prostitute as a wife in order to teach him a lesson, Hashem was trying to show Hoshea how to ask for mercy for the Children of Israel.

Hoshea 3

Other stories where prophets are commanded to sin

Other stories in which prophets are commanded to do weird acts – The Rid says that our story parallels Yehcezkel's sleeping on his side, there too Yechezkel actually did as Hashem told him. Though, the Rid does say that some cases were only בחיזיון like Yeshayahu walking barefoot for three years.

Hoshea did not marry a prostitute

Sources:Targum YonatanHoshea 1:2Hoshea 3:1About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Ibn EzraHoshea First Commentary 1:1-3Hoshea Second Commentary 1:1-3About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, RadakHoshea 1:2Hoshea 1:3Hoshea 1:6Hoshea 1:8About R. David Kimchi