Hosea in Popular Culture

Abstract The book of Hosea’s influence on later works is small compared to other biblical books. But Hosea and his life, especially his commanded marriage to his wife of whoredom/harlotry, Gomer-bat-Diblaim, makes a surprising number of appearances in postbiblical popular (or “pop”) culture, especially by and for Christians. This essay focuses on some of the more sustained and explicit engagements with Hosea across novels, films, and even music. Through the ways they reimagine and retell the biblical text, these instances of pop culture provide commentary and illumination of the original, biblical story. In particular, the figure of Gomer gets further or redeveloped in contemporary mediums—with a backstory, a family, friends, a personality, and beauty. We may gain newfound understanding, even sympathy, for her character after interacting with the pop-culture interpretations. By making their inspiration clear and by creating links to the biblical text, pop-culture creators open the possibility of comparison—and of a dynamic dialogue between the two worlds.