Division 4:1–10:15
Messages against Israel
In Division 1:2–3:5, Hosea’s relationship with his unfaithful wife, Gomer, was used as an illustration of the relationship between the LORD and Israel. In Division 4:1–10:15, Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness continues to be described figuratively as prostitution. But the relationship between Hosea and Gomer is not mentioned again. These chapters describe the LORD’s response to his people’s unfaithfulness. The LORD condemned Israel and announced his plans to punish them. He also expressed his disappointment at their refusal to repent.
Section 4:1–3
The LORD brought a charge against the people of Israel
The words “Hear the word of the LORD” in 4:1 indicate the beginning of a new prophecy. In 4:1–3, the LORD brought an accusation or charge against the people of Israel. The charge consisted of three parts. First, the LORD stated their crimes (4:1). Second, he presented the evidence of their crimes (4:2). Third, he announced the resulting judgment (4:3). The charge serves as a general introduction to the messages that follow in the remainder of chapter 4.
Here are some other examples of section headings:
The Lord ’s Legal Case Against Israel (God’s Word)
-or-
The Lord Accuses Israel (English Standard Version)
Paragraph 4:1–3
4:1a
Hear the word of the LORD: In the Old Testament, this command was a standard way to introduce a prophetic message or warning of judgment. It emphasized that the message that followed was important because it was from the LORD. Hosea told the message to the people, but the LORD was the source of the message.
Here is another way to translate this command:
hear what Yahweh says (New Jerusalem Bible)
O children of Israel: See the note on “the Israelites” in 3:1c. The same phrase also occurs in 3:4a. Hosea used this phrase here to address the Israelites directly.
Here is another way to translate this vocative:
O people of Israel (New Revised Standard Version)
Use a term of address (vocative) that is natural in your language when a person speaks to a group of people.
4:1b
for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: In Hebrew, the word for probably introduces the reason or motivation for the Israelites to listen carefully to the LORD’s message. For example:
Israel, hear the word of the LORD; for the Lord has a charge to bring against the inhabitants of the land: (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Hear the word of the LORD, O people of Israel; for the Lord has an indictment against the inhabitants of the land. (New Revised Standard Version)
Some versions leave this connection implied. For example:
Listen to the word of the LORD, you Israelites. The Lord has brought these charges against those who live in the land: (God’s Word)
Use a natural way in your language to translate the relationship between 4:1a and 4:1b.
for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: This statement indicates that the LORD was making a very serious accusation against the people of Israel.
case: This is the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translated as “rebuke” in 2:2. In Hebrew, it means “to fight with words,” as in a quarrel or a legal case.
Some English versions use an expression that refers to an actual trial. For example:
The Lord has filed a lawsuit against you (New Living Translation (1996))
But this verse may also refer to an informal accusation, so it is better to use a more general expression. For example:
The Lord has an accusation to bring against the people who live in this land. (Good News Translation)
the people of the land: This phrase refers to the inhabitants of the land of Israel.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
citizens of the country (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you (New Living Translation (2004))
The New Living Translation (2004) probably left the rest of the phrase implied because it is clear from both the preceding and following context.
General Comment on 4:1a–b
In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder these two clauses. For example:
1b The Lord has an accusation to bring against the people who live in this land. 1a Listen, Israel, to what he says: (Good News Translation)
4:1c–d
There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land: In 4:1c–d, the LORD stated his charge. The people of Israel were guilty of these three crimes.
In some languages, it may be more natural to make explicit a human subject here. For example:
No one is faithful or loyal or truly cares about God. (Contemporary English Version)
4:1c
There is no truth, no loving devotion: In Hebrew and in most versions, the object of no truth and no loving devotion is left implied. Two possible objects are other people and God:
• There is no truth and no love towards other people.
• There is no truth and no love towards God.
If possible, you should translate in a way that allows either or both objects to be understood. If you need to make an object explicit in your language, it is recommended that you specify other people. This better fits the context of 4:2 that lists cursing, lying, murder, stealing, and adultery. These are sins that the people committed against other people.
truth: In Hebrew, this word describes a person who is honest and dependable in what he says and does. Some languages may have a single expression that has these meanings. In other languages, it may be appropriate to use more than one expression.
Here are some other ways to translate the statement “There is no truth”:
No one is faithful (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
There are no trustworthy people
-or-
No one tells the truth or can be trusted
loving devotion: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as loving devotion has several aspects of meaning:
(a) steadfastness, loyalty
(b) love
(c) kindness, mercy
A number of versions translate one aspect of the meaning. For example:
love (Good News Translation)
-or-
loyalty (NET Bible)
-or-
kindness (New Living Translation (2004))
Some versions have two aspects. For example:
faithful love (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
steadfast love (English Standard Version)
In some languages, it may be possible to express all three aspects. For example:
consistent/unchanging love and kindness
Translate this term in a way that fits naturally in the context. Here it may refer particularly to showing a concern for the needs of others. The LORD’s covenant with Israel required them to have this concern in response to the love that the LORD had shown to them.
4:1d
no knowledge of God: The phrase knowledge of God means that a person knows God and has a relationship with him. He also knows who God is and what God wants his people to do. It is implied that a person who knows God will obey him. He will acknowledge God’s authority by his actions.
In verses such as 2:20b, there is a difference of interpretation between “know” and “acknowledge.” Here (4:1d), both senses fit the context. Most English versions choose one sense or the other. For example:
no knowledge of God (English Standard Version)
-or-
people do not acknowledge me as God (Good News Translation)
If possible, translate in a way that allows or includes both senses of meaning. See the meaning lines in the Display for 4:1d for two examples.
God: The Hebrew word here is ʾelohim and not Yahweh. Versions indicate this by translating this word as God and not as “LORD.”
in the land: This phrase also occurs in 4:1b. In some languages, it may be natural to translate this phrase explicitly both here and in 4:1b, as in the Berean Standard Bible. In other languages, it may be better to translate this phrase explicitly in only one of these places. For example, the Contemporary English Version makes this phrase explicit only in 4:1b:
1b the Lord accuses everyone in the land ! 1c No one is faithful or loyal 1d or truly cares about God. (Contemporary English Version)
The New Living Translation (2004) makes this phrase explicit only in 4:1d:
1b The Lord has brought charges against you, 1c saying: There is no faithfulness, no kindness, 1d no knowledge of God in your land. (New Living Translation (2004))
With any of these options, make sure that the meaning is clear in the context.
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