O Ephraim …: If the previous verse has been translated as a comment from the prophet, another change in perspective takes place here that needs to be reflected in the formatting of the text. But what exactly is the change? Some translations understand Ephraim as the speaker here (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling, Swahili Union Version). Others translate the text as a continuation of the LORD speaking to Ephraim (Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, English Standard Version), while again others interpret it as words spoken by the LORD about Ephraim (Good News Translation, Revised English Bible). All three positions can be defended based on the Hebrew text. The translator has to choose one option and follow it consistently. The first interpretation will be followed in the model translation below, since the other two are reflected in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation.
Once again, the leading tribe of the northern kingdom of Israel is mentioned here, Ephraim, rather than Israel (see comments on 4.17). Good News Translation says “The people of Israel.” The Peshitta begins this verse with “And Ephraim says…,” which is followed by New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh and De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling. Others who favor this reading argue that the verb “says” is implied here. This reading resolves a number of the issues that are discussed in the following paragraphs.
What have I to do with idols?: The Hebrew is literally “what to me again to idols?” which is a rhetorical question that means “I will have nothing more to do with idols” (similarly Good News Translation). Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, with a {B} decision, prefers reading the Hebrew of the first line as “O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?” Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament discusses this line further and compares it with the situation in 4.17, where Yahweh has abandoned Israel to its idols. But now we look to reconciliation between Yahweh and Israel. We know that Yahweh would not connect himself in any way with idols, although the people may have often done so by worshiping both Yahweh and the idols. Now that Yahweh and Israel are reconciled, there will be no more of this worship of both Yahweh and idols.
It is I who answer renders an emphatic expression in Hebrew, literally “I, I will answer.” The text does not say to what Yahweh (or Ephraim) will answer. It may include their prayers, their sacrifices, or other things. Good News Translation inserts “their prayers.”
And look after you: In Hebrew this clause is literally “and I will watch over him.” Revised Standard Version changes the third person pronoun “him” to you, referring to Ephraim, since Ephraim is being addressed by the LORD in its translation. De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling says “I put my eyes on him,” meaning Ephraim looks to the LORD for help. De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling understands this clause differently than Revised Standard Version since it has Ephraim speaking about the LORD here.
I am like an evergreen cypress: The Hebrew word for cypress is a generic term that can refer to cypress, fir, and juniper trees, which are all tall conifers. The Hebrew word for evergreen carries with it the ideas of abundance and freshness. Depending on the approach one takes for the verse, this simile may refer to the LORD’s care and protection for the people of Israel (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation), or alternatively (if Ephraim is considered to be the speaker) to the renewed life they have received from the LORD (so De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling). Good News Translation‘s “I will shelter them” is not in the Hebrew text, but is an attempt to explicate the meaning of the evergreen cypress. In the last two lines of this verse the emphasis turns to the fruitfulness of the people under Yahweh’s blessings.
From me comes your fruit is literally “from me your fruit is to be found.” Does this line mean that Yahweh is the tree that provides fruit for the people (so Revised Standard Version), or does he bless them so that they themselves become fruitful, with abundant crops (so New American Bible with “Because of me you bear fruit”)? Or are both true? Most likely it means Yahweh is the direct source of their blessings, the source of the fruit they will find and enjoy, since the fruitful tree image continues in this context.
A translation model for this verse is:
• Ephraim will say, “What do I have to do with idols?
I will answer and look up to you.
I will be like a cypress tree, always green and fresh;
it is your fruit that can be found in me.”
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 .