The use of earlier Scripture in Hosea has long been debated. An acute point within the larger debate is the use of exodus themes in Hosea (cf. Jerry Hwang, 2021, 2016; Derek Bass, 2021, 2008; Joshua Moon, 2018; Ehud Ben Zvi, 2005; Steve McKenzie, 1979; Hans Walter Wolff, 1974). Scholars have tended to give more weight towards positive references to exodus themes in Hosea (e.g., Hos 2:16–25; 11:10–11). Dwight Daniels’ classic study of Hosea’s use of tradition, for instance, argues that the exodus-wilderness traditions contribute only to the salvation oracles in the book (de Gruyter, 1990). Those employing minimalist methodology, like Daniels, are prone to miss how the exodus relates to judgment in Hosea due to their presuppositions about the nature of the tradition. Such an unbalanced emphasis ultimately leads to a limited view of how the final form of Hosea draws upon exodus themes.
In this paper, I will demonstrate that Hosea alludes to exodus themes in order to both expose the severity of Israel’s sin and to announce the coming judgment. To demonstrate my case, I will begin with a brief overview of three proposals (Daniels; Hwang; Bass) for the use of exodus themes in Hosea. Then, I will analyze two specific uses of exodus themes in Hosea. First, the reversal of the exodus event through the motif of a return to Egypt (Hos 7–11). These texts draw upon exodus themes to cast the upcoming exile as a new Egyptian slavery. Second, the reversal of Israel’s positive experience of YHWH in the exodus (Hos 12–13). Though Israel once knew YHWH as deliverer from the land of Egypt (12:10; 13:4), they have since forgotten him (13:5–6), leading to a new (negative) wilderness experience (12:10) and their destruction (13:9). Finally, I will summarize the evidence from these texts to support a more expansive use of exodus themes in Hosea. The development of these themes will not only serve the conversation concerning scriptural use of Scripture in Hosea, but will contribute to the broader discussion of the OT’s use in the OT.