12:11

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

11a Is there iniquity in Gilead ?

11b They will surely come to nothing.

11c Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal ?

11d Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.

Gilead and Gilgal are locations. Here they are probably figures of speech that represent the entire northern kingdom of Israel. They may be an example of the kind of parable or figure of speech that 12:10 describes.

Here are three possible purposes for the verse:

(a) to show the great extent of wickedness in Israel

(b) to return to the main theme of this chapter, deceit and lying

(c) to demonstrate the use of wordplays, which were part of the way God proclaimed his judgment

12:11a–b

Is there iniquity in Gilead? They will surely come to nothing: In Hebrew, these clauses are more literally “if Gilead [is] wickedness surely they are worthlessness.” Here are some acceptable ways to translate the clauses:

• As a rhetorical question followed by a response. The implied answer in the response is “yes.” For example:

Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. (New American Standard Bible)

• As a conditional clause followed by a conclusion. The implicit understanding is that the condition is true. For example:

If there is iniquity in Gilead they shall surely come to nothing. (English Standard Version)

• As statements. For example:

The people of Gilead are evil, worth nothing. (New Century Version)

Translate these clauses in a natural way in your language.

iniquity: In Hebrew, this word has a broad range of meaning that includes “idolatry,” “wickedness,” iniquity, “emptiness.” The same word is used in the second part of the name Beth-aven, “house of wickedness.” See 4:15b.

Some versions translate the word here as “idolatry.” That translation is not recommended, because it limits its meaning. It is likely that Hosea’s use of the word here had a broader sense. Hosea uses the same word to refer to the people of Gilead in 6:8. There the word is associated with bloodshed, not specifically with idolatry.

Gilead: Gilead is the region in the northern kingdom of Israel located east of the river Jordan. The region includes land and cities belonging to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. By the time of Hosea, Gilead was known to be a place of evil.

They will surely come to nothing: The Hebrew word for nothing here means “emptiness,” “vanity,” “falsehood.” It designates something that is worthless either physically or morally. In Hebrew, the preceding word surely emphasizes how worthless the people were.

There are two main interpretations of the time reference of this clause:

(1) The people of Gilead were worthless at that time. For example:

They are worthless (God’s Word)

(2) The people of Gilead will become worthless in the future. They will be destroyed. For example:

they shall surely come to nothing (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with the majority of versions. The Hebrew clause is an appropriate description of the people of Gilead at that time. See Hosea 6:8.

12:11c

Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “bulls they have sacrificed.” For example:

In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls (English Standard Version)

(2) Some scholars think the original text had “to bulls they have sacrificed.” For example:

At Gilgal they sacrifice to bulls (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. Option (2) lacks support from ancient texts or versions.

The sacrifice of bulls probably refers to pagan sacrifices.

The Berean Standard Bible and some other versions that translate 11a as a rhetorical question also translate 11c as a rhetorical question. This is not recommended. A rhetorical question is not indicated in the Hebrew text.

Gilgal: Gilgal is a city in the northern kingdom of Israel located west of the river Jordan. It was a major center of idolatry. See 4:15b.

12:11d

Indeed: In Hebrew, this clause starts with a word that has various possible meanings. A basic meaning that fits the context here is “also/moreover.” Here it introduces the altars as a further description of the sacrificing of bulls in 11c. For example:

The altars of these are also like stone heaps upon a plowed field. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-

Yes, their altars are like the stone heaps beside the furrows of the field.

their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field: This sentence describes the altars on which the people sacrificed bulls. It compares the altars to stone piles in fields. There are two main interpretations of the time reference:

(1) This sentence describes the altars as they were at that time. For example:

Their altars also are like stone heaps on the furrows of the field. (English Standard Version)
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(2) This sentence describes the altars as they will be in the future. It predicts that they will be destroyed. For example:

But their altars will become like piles of rubble beside a plowed field. (God’s Word)

The Display will follow interpretation (1), but you may follow either interpretation. In Hebrew, there is no explicit time reference, because this clause has no verb. Both interpretations fit the context of the passage.

The phrase heaps of stones in the furrows of the field may refer to stones that a farmer removes from his field to allow for plowing. The comparison, however, does not make explicit the way in which the altars are like these piles of stones. Here are some possibilities:

• The altars are/will be as numerous as the piles of stones.

• The altars are/will be as worthless as the piles of stones.

• The altars are/will be obstacles like the piles of stones that must be removed to allow for growth and harvesting.

Most versions leave the point of comparison implied. However, you may include these possibilities in the translation or in a footnote if think it will be helpful.

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