1:7a
Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah: In contrast to the nation/people of Israel, the LORD will continue to show his compassion to the nation of Judah. This implies that the nation of Judah will not be judged/punished by the LORD at that time.
Yet: The Berean Standard Bible uses the conjunction Yet to introduce the contrast between the LORD’s judgment of Israel in 1:6 and his compassion toward Judah here in 1:7. Some versions use “but” or “instead.” You should introduce this contrast in a natural way in your language.
have compassion: This is the same verb that was used in 1:6c. You should translate it in the same way.
the house of Judah: This phrase is a figure of speech. It refers here to the people of the nation of Judah, the southern kingdom. See how you translated the similar expression “house of Israel” in 1:6c.
1:7b
and I will save them: In this context, this phrase does not refer to spiritual salvation. The LORD promises here to save or rescue them from defeat by their enemies in battle.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
I will deliver them (NET Bible)
-or-
I will free them from their enemies (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I will rescue them (God’s Word)
1:7c
not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry: The bow and the sword were the main instruments used in war at that time. The horses and cavalry (the men who rode the horses or drove the chariots into battle) were the strongest units in an army. By mentioning these weapons, horses, and cavalry, the LORD compared his power to the strongest human army and implied that he is stronger.
In some cultures, people may not be familiar with these weapons and the use of horses in war. If that is true in your culture, you may need to make the meaning more explicit. For example:
I will not do it by war—with swords or bows and arrows or with horses and horsemen (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will personally free them from their enemies without any help from weapons or armies (New Living Translation (2004))
1:7d
but by the LORD their God: The LORD indicated that he will not be using a human army as his instrument to save Judah. Instead, he will do it personally with his own power.
Here is another way to translate this phrase:
but by my power as the LORD their God
General Comment on 1:7a–d
In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these verse parts. For example:
But I am the Lord God of Judah, and I will have mercy and save Judah by my own power—not by wars and arrows or swords and cavalry. (Contemporary English Version)
Arrange this information in a natural order in your language.
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