THE GREAT HARLOT (REV 17-18) AND WIFE OF HARLOTRY (HOS 2)

A STUDY ON THE BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OF A PEOPLE OF GOD IN CRISIS

Authors

  • Sebastian Mullooparambil Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK)
  • Teresita Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK)

Keywords:

Book of Revelation, Diakonia, Hosea, Israel, Jerusalem, Great Harlot, Mother Church, Mother Yahweh, People of God in Crisis, Pope Francis, Prophets, Rome

Abstract

One of the most evident themes shared between the books of Hosea and Revelation is the theme of judgment towards a whoring people. An explicit reading would indicate Hosean judgment as directed towards Israel and those of Revelation to the city of Babylon. In the latter case, the scholars agree upon the identity of Babylon to be the city of Rome. However, both the books personify the accused as a harlot, a wanton woman. A close scrutiny of the theme of judgment in Hosea 2 and Revelation 17-18 establishes that the books have an especially close relationship with many phrases, themes, and theological concepts in common. One of the strongest thematic parallels is the personification of the reproached people as a whore. The thread that connects Hosea and John is their thought pattern of picturing the pride of their concerned city in terms of a wanton woman who is abound with her pride and haughtiness. The article is an attempt to read Hosea 2 into the interlude of Revelation (Rev 17-18). The expected outcome is to bring out the theological message of the two texts for a people of God in crisis. 

Author Biographies

Sebastian Mullooparambil, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK)

Prof. Sebastian Mullooparambil, CMI is Professor of Biblical Theology at DVK. He holds a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome and a Doctorate in Biblical Theology from Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome. Email: msebastiancmi@gmail.com

Teresita, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram (DVK)

Sr Teresita is a member of the CSST Institute. She has secured her Licentiate in Biblical Theology from Dharmaram Vidhyakshetram, Bangalore, is now pursuing her doctoral studies in Biblical Theology at the same institution. Her research area is “Beauty and Sacredness of Femininity in Song of Songs.” Her academic interests include, Wisdom Literature, Hebrew Prophets, Feminist interpretations of the Bible, English Literature and Formation of Youth and Children. Email: teresitacsst@yahoo.com

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Published

2019-09-30

How to Cite

Mullooparambil, S., & Teresita. (2019). THE GREAT HARLOT (REV 17-18) AND WIFE OF HARLOTRY (HOS 2): A STUDY ON THE BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING OF A PEOPLE OF GOD IN CRISIS. Asian Horizons, 13(03), 411–436. Retrieved from https://dvkjournals.in/index.php/ah/article/view/2201

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