2:10a
And then: In Hebrew, the phrase And then connects the LORD’s action in 2:9c with the next action that he will take to punish Israel.
Here are some other ways to make this connection clear:
So now (New International Version)
-or-
Soon (NET Bible)
Some versions, such as the Good News Translation and New Living Translation (2004) quoted below, leave the connection implied. Use a natural way in your language to introduce the next action that a person will take.
I will expose her lewdness in the sight of her lovers: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lewdness can refer specifically to a woman’s genitals. This figurative clause probably indicates here that the LORD (the husband) will remove Israel’s (his wife’s) clothing so that her lovers will see her naked body, specifically her private parts. The purpose of this punishment was to publicly shame the woman.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
I will strip her naked in front of her lovers (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will strip her naked in public, while all her lovers look on. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I will show her naked body to her lovers (God’s Word)
Translate this clause in a way that is appropriate in your culture and language.
her lovers: This phrase could refer to the Baal gods or other idols that Israel worshiped. It could also refer to other nations that were her allies. If possible, use a general word or phrase that could refer to either kind of lovers.
2:10b
no one will deliver her out of My hands: In Hebrew, the phrase deliver her out of means “rescue her from.” Here the term My hands is a figure of speech that represents the LORD (the husband) or his power. In some languages, it may be clearer to translate only the meaning and not keep the figure of speech. For example:
and no one will rescue her from me (Revised English Bible)
-or-
and no one will be able to save her from my power (Good News Translation)
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