Abstract:
Judged by the diverse curricula at universities and the divergent opinions voiced in publications, there is no general agreement as to what the field of study of biblical studies should be. The question is especially whether systematics, ethics and the history of religions should be part of the subject. However, Biblical Studies is no longer a subject aimed at schooling teachers only. More and more students enroll for the subject for the sake of its formative value. Therefore the aim of Biblical Studies should be broadened. Accordingly, Biblical Studies should primarily be directed as the understanding of the Bible. However, the material should be systematised on a historical basis and the ethical relevance should be spelled out.
The post-graduate level is of determinitive nature and should be equivalent to Old or New Testament at the Theological Faculty. Accordingly the following thesis is applied to Hosea 11: Text critical and other "gaps" in the reading and understanding of the text should be filled up according to the signifiers in the text, which creates a basic structure for the text. In the case of Hosea 11 the signifiers are the Exodus Tradition, the term "turn/return" and the metaphor of the rebellious son. When the signifiers are seen as forming a basic structure, various problems in the text are solved.
