תָּנָה
to present (a mercenary inducement), i.e. bargain with (a harlot)
Definition
The Hebrew verb תָּנָה (tânâh) means to give, present, or offer something, often with a specific nuance of hiring or bargaining. In its two biblical occurrences, it describes the act of presenting a payment or inducement, specifically in the context of hiring a prostitute (Hosea 8:9-10). The term carries a transactional connotation, implying a mercenary exchange rather than a gift. It is used metaphorically in Hosea to depict Israel's unfaithfulness, as they 'hire' alliances with foreign nations instead of relying on God.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only twice in the Old Testament, both in Hosea 8:9-10. In this prophetic context, it describes the northern kingdom of Israel's political maneuvering, where they 'hire lovers' (i.e., seek alliances) among the nations, particularly Assyria. The usage is entirely metaphorical, portraying idolatry and political faithlessness as a form of spiritual prostitution. There is no literal usage involving actual harlots in the biblical text.
Etymology
תָּנָה is a primitive root meaning 'to give' or 'to present.' It is related to the more common verb נָתַן (nāthan, H5414), which also means 'to give,' suggesting a shared semantic field. The specific development into a sense of 'bargaining' or 'hiring' appears unique to its usage in Hosea, likely derived from the context of offering payment for services.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is employed by the prophet Hosea to illustrate the covenant-breaking nature of Israel's idolatry. By describing their pursuit of foreign alliances as 'hiring lovers,' Hosea frames their sin as a transactional betrayal of their exclusive relationship with Yahweh. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Hosea by highlighting the depth of Israel's faithlessness—treating divine covenant like a cheap, paid arrangement rather than a bond of love and fidelity.
In the ancient Near East, hiring a prostitute was a straightforward commercial transaction. Hosea's metaphor would have been immediately understood by his audience: Israel was treating its relationship with God as a mere business deal, seeking security through paid political alliances (like Assyria) instead of through faithful obedience to the covenant. This contrasts with modern understandings of alliances, which may not carry the same overtly moral or spiritual connotations of betrayal.
נָתַן (nāthan, H5414) — a general verb for 'to give,' without the specific connotation of hiring or bargaining; שָׂכַר (śāḵar, H7936) — means 'to hire' or 'to earn wages,' often used in broader economic contexts, not limited to the metaphor of prostitution.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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