And I will betroth you to me for ever …: This verse returns to the romantic figure of winning the wife. The Hebrew text again switches back to second person singular you from third person plural in the previous verse. Although this section of discourse continues from verse 18 through verse 20, Good News Translation begins poetic formatting here. In the Hebrew text the poetry of verses 19-20 is confirmed by the dominant element of repetition. Three times in a row the exact same expression is used: I will betroth you to me. In addition, the five nouns followed by this expression are all preceded by the same Hebrew preposition rendered in.

Good News Translation adds “Israel” at the beginning of this verse to make it clear whom God is addressing. However, translators may wish to make this decision later, after translating chapter 3, because of problems relating to identifying Israel rather than the southern kingdom, Judah.

I will betroth you to me refers to a binding, legal act. In Israel the betrothal ceremony consisted of a binding agreement and corresponded to a modern marriage ceremony, since it involved the pledging of a vow—the old English “troth”—and paying the dowry. In doing so any objection from the bride’s side to the marriage is removed. The English verb “engage” does not sufficiently express the legal and binding nature of this event. It marks a formal end to the premarital status of the woman. So Good News Translation is justified in translating “I will make you my wife,” and so is New Revised Standard Version with “I will take you for my wife.” The language here is not that of reestablishing the former marriage but of creating a new one. In various cultures the practice of dowry payment with binding implications does exist. The translator may be able to employ the relevant terminology.

The Hebrew expression rendered for ever does not carry the modern ideas of “eternity” as a timeless existence but simply means “for always,” implying a commitment to lifelong marriage that cannot be changed. It does not refer to the betrothal ceremony, which was brief, but to the duration of the marriage. It serves as a preliminary summary of what follows, so Good News Translation places it at the end of the verse, where a summary normally occurs, saying “and make you mine forever.” Good News Translation‘s “make you mine” corresponds to betroth you to me, both here and in 2.20. To confirm the poetic nature of the passage a literal repetition of the first line may be more appropriate.

Five characteristics are mentioned in verses 19-20 that are to mark the relationship. These characteristics are the “bride price” that the husband promises to pay. In one sense, the way the husband and wife will act toward each other will be “righteous, just, loving, merciful, and faithful.” The characteristics in this verse occur in two pairs. First, righteousness and justice, and second, steadfast love and mercy. The next verse mentions “faithfulness.” It is Yahweh as husband who will bring these qualities to the marriage and who will uphold the marriage through them. It is quite evident that there are components of meaning that are shared among these five qualities, and some of them are nearly synonyms of each other. Receptor languages will not have exact equivalents for every one of these terms. Some of them may actually need a descriptive phrase to cover the meaning, but given the poetic nature of the passage, it is recommended to find short and clear terms that fit the present context of a marriage.

The Hebrew word for righteousness refers to people being in a right relationship to each other. In marriage this can mean that two people are well matched and are fit for each other, but it also refers to the faithful performance of duties, whether in the marriage or in the community of Israel. The word “faithful” in Good News Translation represents this quality, although the element of “doing what is right” may be missing. New Jerusalem Bible says “uprightness,” which seems to have some focus on one’s behavior.

The Hebrew word for justice refers to just and fair treatment. Good News Translation renders it “true,” which shows what it means in marriage, but in the community it refers to decisions that are fair and right.

Steadfast love renders the important Hebrew term chesed, which is closely associated with the idea of a covenant. Once people have agreed on their mutual obligations, they are dependable and faithful to each other, supporting each other, loyal to each other in mutual commitment. Modern emotional concepts of “love” normally do not apply. Good News Translation often uses “constant love” for this term. Revised English Bible has “loyalty.”

The Hebrew word for mercy is the most emotional of the five terms. Its Hebrew root refers to the womb, so it involves almost motherly emotions and tender feelings of pity God has for those in need of help. It involves sensitivity to the needs and feelings of a partner in marriage, but it is equally important in a community of God’s people. Some translations have “[tender] compassion” (New Living Translation, NET Bible), which seems to imply dependence, but also denotes concern for others in times of need. This concern is also included in the word “affection” (Bijbel in Gewone Taal).

A translation model for this verse is:

• Israel, I commit myself to take you as my wife forever.
I commit myself to take you as my wife
in righteousness and justice,
in loyalty and affection.

Quoted with permission from Dorn, Louis & van Steenbergen, Gerrit. A Handbook on Hosea. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2020. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .