Israel’s Loss of the Stuff of Life (9:1-4): Some commentators would regard 9:1–9 as the first complete unit in this chapter. Others would point to 9:1–6. Judging on the basis of rhetorical criticism, it seems best to divide the chapter into five separate oracles: verses 1–4, 5–6, 7–9, 10–14, 15–17. What we have here are several oracles, strung together by the redactor/disciple of Hosea on the basis of the common theme of the loss of vitality. In this instance, however, the beginnings and endings of the separate pieces, while not indicated by oracular formulae, are nevertheless rather clearly indicated by an imperative (v. 1), question (v. 5), or a change in subject matter (vv. 7, 10, 15), and by the pronouncement of judgment at the end of each piece.

9:1–4 It is possible that Hosea pronounc…