Section 2:14–23

The LORD promised to renew his covenant with them

The purpose of the punishment in 2:1–13 was to make the people of Israel realize that their worship of false gods would result in harm. In this section, 2:14–23, the LORD showed that he continued to love the people of Israel. If they worshiped him, he would bless them and not harm them. In spite of their past sins, he would reestablish a covenant with them. In this section, the tone switches from negative to positive, so there is a sharp contrast between the previous section and this one.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Future Repentance and Restoration of Israel (NET Bible)
-or-
The Lord’s Love for Unfaithful Israel (New Living Translation (2004))

Paragraph 2:14–15

In this paragraph, the LORD described his intention to reestablish a covenant relationship with Israel. He used the image of a man courting a woman in the desert to illustrate it. This image referred to Israel’s past. After the Israelites left Egypt, they wandered for forty years in the desert of Sinai. It was there that the LORD first established his covenant with the Israelites.

2:14a

Therefore, behold, I will allure her: In Hebrew, the word Therefore introduces the result of something that was said previously. It indicates here that because she (Israel) forgot the LORD 2:13b, he would respond by winning her back to himself. This gracious response is not expected. It is a surprising contrast to Israel’s bad behavior.

There are two main ways to translate this result and contrast:

• Keep explicit (as in the Hebrew) that the response of the LORD is a direct result of Israel’s bad behavior. Leave implied the contrast between the bad behavior of Israel and the gracious response of the LORD. For example:

Therefore, I will now allure her… (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-

That is why I’m going to win her back. (God’s Word)
-or-

So I am going to take her into the desert again… (Good News Translation)

• Make explicit the contrast between the bad behavior of Israel and the gracious response of the LORD. Leave implied that the response of the LORD is a direct result of Israel’s bad behavior. For example:

But now I shall woo her… (Revised English Bible)
-or-

However, in the future I will allure her… (NET Bible)

If possible, translate in a way that indicates both result and contrast. If it is not possible to indicate both these relationships in a natural way in your language, it is recommended that you choose the first option above.

behold: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as behold is hinneh. The usual function of hinneh is to direct the attention of the reader or listener to what follows. Some versions leave this word implied. Here, it probably draws attention to something that is new or unexpected that will happen immediately or in the near future. For example:

I will now allure her (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
behold, I will allure her (New American Standard Bible)

allure her: The Hebrew verb used here means “entice, seduce, persuade.” The New Jerusalem Bible has “seduce,” which has a bad (negative) connotation. Here, however, it is used in a positive, honorable way. It means “to court a woman in order to win her affection.” For example:

speak coaxingly to her (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
attract her (New Century Version)

Choose a term in your language that expresses this positive use.

2:14b

and lead her to the wilderness, and speak to her tenderly: This clause describes in more detail how the husband will allure his wife. He will persuade her to love him again by leading her into the desert and speaking to her lovingly.

wilderness: The word refers to a dry desert or wilderness. Here it is a historical reference to the desert of Sinai. If you have translated the book of Exodus or other verses that refer to that desert you should translate it the same way here.

speak to her tenderly: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as speak to her tenderly is literally “I will speak to her heart.” It describes a man who uses kind and affectionate words to win the love of a woman.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and speak kindly to her (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
and speak gently to you (Contemporary English Version)

General Comment on 2:14a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder some parts of this verse. For example:

14b So I am going to take her into the desert again; 14a there I will win her back 14b with words of love. (Good News Translation)

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