4:5a

You will stumble: The word stumble is used here as a figure of speech (metaphor). There are two ways to interpret the meaning of this metaphor:

(1) stumble refers to punishment. The LORD will destroy the priests and prophets. Their punishment is compared to stumbling and falling. For example:

As a sentence for your crimes, you will stumble in broad daylight, just as you might at night, and so will your false prophets. (New Living Translation (1996))

(2) stumble refers to sin. The priests and prophets figuratively stumble by failing to teach the people correctly. For example:

Night and day you blunder on, and the prophets do no better than you. (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries.

The figurative meaning of stumble is that the priests and prophets will be punished by the LORD. Specifically, they will be destroyed.

If the metaphor of stumbling does not clearly express this meaning in your translation, here are some other ways to translate it:

• Change the metaphor to a simile and make it explicit that stumble refers to punishment. For example:

⌊ I will punish you⌋day and night. You will ⌊be like a person who ⌋ stumbles ⌊and falls ⌋.

• Omit the figure of stumbling, and translate the meaning directly. For example:

You will be ruined in the day, and your prophets will be ruined with you in the night. (New Century Version)

by day…by night: In this context, the contrasting words day and night are probably a figure of speech that means “all the time.” The time includes the night, when people might be expected to stumble, and also the day when people should be able to see.

the prophet: In Hebrew, the word prophet is singular. However, it follows the same pattern as “priest” in 4:4b. Use a natural way in your language to indicate the LORD is speaking to prophets as a group.

The context of judgment suggests that these are false prophets. Some versions make this explicit. For example:

your false prophets (New Living Translation (2004))

4:5b

so: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as so :

(1) It introduces another group of people that will be punished by the LORD. The LORD will cause the priests and prophets to stumble (punishment). In addition to that, he will destroy their mother. For example:

and I will destroy… (English Standard Version)

(2) It introduces a result. The priests and prophets will stumble (sin), so the LORD will punish their mother. For example:

So I will destroy… (New International Version, Berean Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. This interpretation fits the recommended interpretation in 4:5a.

I will destroy your mother: The phrase your mother is a figure of speech that represents the entire nation of Israel. See the note on 2:2a.

Some versions make the meaning explicit. For example:

I am going to destroy Israel, your mother. (Good News Translation)

Some versions explain the meaning in a footnote. For example:

Here “mother” refers to the nation of Israel. (New Century Version footnote)

These are both good options to help your readers better understand the meaning.

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