In verses 5-6 third person singular pronouns were used for Israel, but here mostly plural pronouns are used for the nation in the Hebrew text (they, their). Good News Translation uses plural pronouns throughout these verses for clarity.

They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow: This verse begins with a poetic play on words that resemble each other in Hebrew: yashuvu yoshve (literally “They will return those who dwell”). Some commentators think that the Hebrew verb for return should be understood in the sense of “Once again” (Good News Translation) or simply “again” (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, NET Bible). Others take it as referring to a return from exile. Both interpretations have support in the Hebrew text. So the translator has a choice. If it is possible in the receptor language, the issue can also be left ambiguous.

Instead of beneath my shadow, the Hebrew text clearly has “in his shadow.” But to whom or what does the pronoun “his” refer? Different suggestions have been made. Some scholars believe that the text should be changed to read beneath my shadow, meaning under the protection and blessing of Yahweh. Such a statement would fit in the context of the Israelites returning from captivity. Others assume that the LORD no longer speaks here, but that the prophet makes this comment. If so, the word “his” refers to the LORD and no adjustment of the text is required. Moreover, there is no indication of a textual problem here. If translators follow this interpretation of the Hebrew text, the formatting of the text should support it as follows: insert a blank line before this verse, and close the LORD’s quotation at the end of the previous verse. This Handbook prefers “in his shadow,” following the Hebrew.

This verse continues the picture of Israel prospering like the trees of Lebanon. The people who return to live under Yahweh will have a good life. The Hebrew word for shadow is a common Old Testament metaphor for protection and comfort, including a good, prosperous life. If this metaphor is not understood in the receptor language, it may be necessary to make the meaning explicit by saying “Once again they will live under his [or, the LORD’s] protection” (similarly Good News Translation).

They shall flourish as a garden: This line continues to describe the Israelites’ good life. Revised Standard Version‘s footnote here indicates that its translation follows an emended text. The Hebrew text reads “they shall grow grain,” which Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends with a {C} rating. The Hebrew word for “grain” refers to cereal crops (see comments on 2.8). Here the idea is simply that they will enjoy normal farming, abundant crops, with enough to eat. Engaging in agricultural activities is considered as a mark of peace and security. Good News Translation says “They will grow crops of grain,” and New American Bible has simply “and raise grain.”

The picture of prosperity continues in the third line, they shall blossom as the vine. Here the people themselves are compared with the grapevines that they will grow. Abundant blossoms mean that there will be plenty grapes when the fruit becomes ripe. Good News Translation‘s “be fruitful like a vineyard” jumps ahead in time to speak of the harvest rather than of the flowers that come before the harvest. New Living Translation is better with “blossom like grapevines.” For vine, which refers to grapevines, see the comments on 2.12.

Their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon: In some wines of very good quality, a person can actually smell the fragrance of the flowers that produced the grapes of those wines. However, the Hebrew word for fragrance actually means “remembrance” or “memory,” so Good News Translation translates this line as “They will be as famous as the wine of Lebanon.” New International Version is similar with “and his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon.” Again, the beauty of Lebanon is mentioned, but this time the comparison is with its wine rather than with its cedar trees (see verses 5-6).

A translation model for this verse is:

• They will again be safe under the shadow of the LORD.
They will again grow grain,
blossom like a grapevine,
and be as famous as the wine of Lebanon.

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 .