Paragraph 5:12–15

5:12a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

12a So I am like a moth to Ephraim,

12b and like decay to the house of Judah.

These lines contain parallel similes. In these similes, the LORD compares himself to things that destroy. He will destroy the people of Ephraim and Judah like a moth destroys clothing or like wood or other things weaken and decay. See the General Comment on 5:12a–b for other ways to translate these parallel similes.

moth: The word moth refers here to a destructive kind of moth that makes holes in clothing. In some languages, there may not be a word for this kind of moth. If that is true in your language, you may use a word that refers to something with a similar function. For example:

worm/insect

decay: There are two ways to interpret the parallel word decay here:

(1) It refers to something that causes wood to decay, become soft, or fall apart. For example:

wood rot (NET Bible)
-or-
rot that destroys wood (God’s Word)

(2) It refers to something that causes a part of the body to decay or become weak. For example:

gangrene (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. The Display will follow this interpretation. However, you may also follow interpretation (2). In three out of five other verses that use the same Hebrew for “rot/rottenness,” it refers to rottenness of the bones.

Ephraim…the house of Judah: The word Ephraim has the same meaning here as in 5:11a. The parallel phrase refers to the people of the nation of Judah.

General Comment on 5:12a–b

If these similes are not clear in your language, here are some other translation options:

• Make explicit the way in which the LORD is like a moth and like rot. For example:

12a I will destroy Ephraim as a moth destroys clothing. (God’s Word)

12b I will destroy the nation of Judah as rot destroys wood.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

I will bring destruction on Israel and ruin on the people of Judah. (Good News Translation)

• Use similar figures of speech that convey the right meaning in your language. For example:

12a I will cause the people of Israel to be destroyed like locusts/grubs destroy plants.

12b I will destroy the people of Judah like termites destroy wood.

In some languages, it may be clearer or more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts, using one or more of the preceding options. For example:

I will destroy the nations of Israel and Judah like moths destroy clothes or dry rot weakens wood.

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