4:9a
And it shall be like people, like priest: This verse part focuses on the LORD’s judgment against the priests because of their sins described in 4:8. It affirms along with 4:9b that he will punish them in the future in the same way as the people. There are three main ways to interpret the connection of 4:9a with 4:8.
(1) It indicates a change of topic from the sins of the priests to the LORD’s future punishment. The specific relationship with 4:8 is left implied. For example:
And it shall be like people, like priest (New Revised Standard Version)
(2) Verse 4:9a gives the expected result of 4:8. It is normal to punish sins. This result is specified with a word such as “So” or “Therefore.” For example:
So the priests will be punished like the people. (God’s Word)
(3) Verse 4:9a gives the unexpected result of 4:8. Most did not consider it normal for priests to be punished. This unexpected result is specified with the word “But.” For example:
But people and priest will fare alike. (Revised English Bible)
(New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. This interpretation will allow your readers to understand either of the two results in addition to the change of topic.
And it shall be: Here are some other ways to indicate the future fulfillment of this verse:
In the future,…
-or-
A time is coming when…
like people, like priest: This is a Hebrew proverb. It means that the people and the priests are alike in some way. In this context, it indicates that the LORD will judge the priests in the same way as the people.
Here are some other ways to translate this proverb:
the priests will be punished just like the people
-or-
the priests will have no advantage over the people
-or-
You will suffer the same punishment as the people! (Good News Translation)
The Good News Translation uses the pronoun “you” as if the LORD is speaking directly to the priests. You will need to decide whether it is more natural here to use indirect speech or direct speech in your language.
4:9b–c
The English Standard Version has been used as the source line for 4:9b, because it allows for the recommended interpretation. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
9b
I will punish them for their ways (English Standard Version)
9c and repay them for their deeds.
The parallelism emphasizes the LORD’s punishment for their sinful behavior.
4:9b
them: In Hebrew, this pronoun is literally “him.” The immediately preceding referent is “priest” in 4:9a. It refers to the priests as a group. But the preceding context also mentions the people, so there are two ways to interpret the referent of them :
(1) It refers to the priests. For example:
I will punish you and make you pay for the evil you do. (Good News Translation)
(Good News Translation)
(2) It refers to both the priests and the people. For example:
I will punish them both for what they have done (New Century Version)
Most versions are ambiguous. They use the pronoun them. These versions include the English Standard Version, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Bible, New American Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version, and Revised English Bible. If you can maintain the ambiguity in your language, you may do so. Otherwise, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This entire section (4:4–11a) focuses on the sinful priests and their punishment.
The first meaning lines in the Display will use an ambiguous pronoun. The second meaning lines will follow the recommended interpretation.
4:9b–c
punish…repay them: The term repay means to do something in exchange for what another person has done. Here repay is another way to say punish. In response to the evil behavior of the priests, the LORD will respond with punishment that is a fair exchange for their evil deeds.
General Comment on 4:9b–c
In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts in these two lines. For example:
I will punish them for all their wicked deeds.
See 4:9b–c (combined/reordered) in the Display for other examples.
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