11:11a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

11a They will come trembling like birds from Egypt

11b and like doves from the land of Assyria.

There is an ellipsis in the second line. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from the first line. For example:

11b
⌊ They will come trembling⌋like doves from the land of Assyria.

Each line is a metaphor. The metaphors compare the movement of the children to the movement of birds. In these metaphors, the English word order may wrongly imply that it is the birds/doves that come from Egypt or Assyria. Be sure to make clear in your translation that it is the people who come from these countries. As they come, they are like birds/doves that flutter their wings.

They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria: There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as trembling. See the comments and recommendation about the phrase “will come trembling” in 11:10b.

birds from Egypt and like doves: The Hebrew word for birds is a general word for a bird, a flying creature with wings. The Hebrew word for doves means a specific kind of bird, a dove or pigeon. These are domesticated birds that are easily frightened. If doves and pigeons are unknown in your area, another option is to substitute a different kind of bird with similar characteristics that is known in your area.

Egypt…Assyria: These two locations, in addition to “the west” in 11:10b, may be examples of the various parts of the world where his children will live in exile.

General Comment on 11:11a–b

See 11:11a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display for a way to combine and/or reorder these two lines.

11:11c

I will settle them in their homes: There is a textual issue in this clause concerning the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as settle :

(1) The Masoretic Text has “cause them to dwell.” For example:

I shall settle them in their homes (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) LXX has “cause to return.” For example:

I will bring them to their homes again (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with a majority of versions. It fits the context well. However, option (2) is also acceptable. The meaning is very similar, and it has support from ancient versions.

homes: Here the word means more than houses, since many of their houses were already destroyed. It probably refers to their inherited land and property.

declares the LORD: This is the same expression as in 2:13c. See the note on that passage. This phrase emphasizes that the message was directly from the LORD. It also marks the end of this section of Hosea.

Division 11:12–13:16 Messages of judgment

The main theme of the messages in this division is Israel’s past and present corruption. As a result of it, the LORD will bring judgment against them.

In this division, the LORD and Hosea alternate as the speaker. The LORD refers to himself using first person pronouns (“I/me”) in 11:12a–b, 12:9–10, 13:4–11, 14:4–8. In the other verses of this division, the speaker refers to the LORD using third person forms including “God,” “the Holy One,” “the LORD,” “he,” “the LORD God Almighty.” In these third person references, the Notes and Display will regard Hosea to be the speaker. The Hebrew text most often uses “Ephraim,” “Jacob,” “him,” they” or “he/it” to refer to the people or nation of Israel. Exceptions are when the speaker speaks directly to the people in 8:1, 12:6,9, 13:4–5, and 13:9–11 using the pronouns “you/your.”

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