Section 14:9
Conclusion
Either Hosea or the LORD may be the speaker in this section. The section is a single verse. It is a type of wisdom saying that is similar to sayings in Proverbs. It urges the reader to be wise by following the ways of the LORD.
Here are other examples of section headings:
Concluding Exhortation (NET Bible)
-or-
Last Words
Paragraph 14:9
14:9a–b
Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:
9a
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
9b
whoever is discerning, let him know them.
9a
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things: 9b whoever is discerning, let him know them: In Hebrew, both these parallel lines begin with a question: “Who is wise/discerning?” This question introduces the topic of a wise/discerning person. There are two main ways to interpret the relationship of each topic to the next clause:
(1) The topic is followed by an exhortation for a wise/discerning person to act in a certain way. In other words, if a person is wise/discerning, he should act in a certain way. For example:
Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. (NIV2011)
-or-
Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. (New American Bible)
(2) The topic is followed by a statement that describes the way that a wise/discerning person acts. In other words, if a person is wise/discerning, he will act in a certain way as a result. For example:
Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. (New International Version)
-or-
Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. (New Revised Standard Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions and commentaries. The form of the Hebrew verbs used for “understand” and “know” normally indicates an exhortation, not simply a statement.
14:9a
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things: Here are some other ways to translate this line:
Let the wise understand these words (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Let the wise consider these things (Revised English Bible)
-or-
People who are wise should/must understand these things.
Whoever is wise: In this context the meaning of the Hebrew word is “prudent in religious affairs.”
understand: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as understand means “understand, know (with the mind).” It refers to a person who has insight and who makes good use of knowledge.
these things: This phrase refers to everything that Hosea has said in this book. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
these words (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
what is written here (Good News Translation)
14:9b
whoever is discerning, let him know them: Here are some other ways to translate this line:
let the intelligent grasp their meaning (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
and let the prudent acknowledge them (Revised English Bible)
-or-
People who are sensible should/must know these things.
discerning: In Hebrew, this word is a form of the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “understand” in 9a. The meaning is similar: “intelligent, discreet, discerning, have understanding.”
know them: See the note on know in 2:20b. In this context, the word refers to a person gaining knowledge of the truth that Hosea has spoken. That includes learning what is true, being attentive to it and living by it.
The word them refers to “these things” in 9a.
General Comment on 14:9a–b
In some languages, it may be more natural to combine these parallel statements into one line. For example:
May those who are wise understand what is written here, and may they take it to heart. (Good News Translation)
14:9c–e
Notice the three poetic lines. The first line gives a topic “The ways of the LORD” and a statement about the topic. Those ways “are right.” The second and third lines give two different responses to the topic.
9c For the ways of the LORD are right;
9d and the righteous walk in them
9e but the rebellious stumble in them.
14:9c
For the ways of the LORD are right: The For introduces a reason or basis for what Hosea says in 9a–b. The reason that wise and discerning people should understand and know these things is because the ways of the LORD are right. Some versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible above, use the word “for” to introduce this reason. Some other leave the reason implied. For example:
The ways of the Lord are right; (New International Version)
Use a natural way in your language to indicate that this clause is a reason.
the ways of the LORD: Here, as is common in wisdom writings, the word ways is used as a metaphor that compares behavior/conduct to a road or path. Here are some things this phrase means or describes:
(a) The ways of the LORD are his own actions and behavior.
(b) The ways of the LORD are what is morally and ethically right.
(c) The ways of the LORD are the basis of his guidance and requirements for his people.
right: The Hebrew word means “just,” “upright.” The word describes actions that are correct/proper.
14:9d–e
and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them: These two lines refer to two ways that people respond to the LORD and to his teachings. Some people choose to follow him and his teachings, which leads to life. Other people choose to reject him and his teachings, which leads to death.
14:9d
the righteous walk in them: This line describes a righteous person as one who follows the ways of the LORD, his commands, and his high standard of moral conduct. Here are some other ways to translate this line:
the godly walk in them (NET Bible)
-or-
righteous people live by them (God’s Word)
-or-
Good people live by following them (New Century Version)
the righteous: In Hebrew, this word means “just,” “upright,” or “devout.” It describes people who have good character and who behave correctly according to the LORD’s moral and ethical standards.
walk in them: This phrase is a metaphor that compares the way people think and behave to walking.
The words in them refer back to the ways of the LORD. Here are some other ways to translate the phrase walk in them :
live by them (God’s Word)
-or-
live by following them (New Century Version)
14:9e
but the rebellious stumble in them: This line describes a rebellious person as one who has trouble because he/she does not follow the ways of the LORD. Here are some other ways to translate this line:
Rebellious people stumble over them. (God’s Word)
-or-
But in those paths sinners stumble and fall (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
But sinners stumble and fall because they ignore them. (Good News Translation)
but: This word introduces a contrast. Here it indicates that there is a difference between rebellious people and righteous people. Introduce this contrast in a natural way in your language.
the rebellious: The Hebrew word means those who “transgress,” “rebel.” Here it refers to people who are disloyal to the LORD and his ways.
stumble in them: This phrase is a metaphor that compares rebellion against the LORD and his ways to physical stumbling and/or falling. The Hebrew word for stumble means stumble or “stagger.” As in 9d, the words in them refer back to the ways of the LORD.
This phrase is figurative and means to stumble over the ways of the LORD, his commands, and his standard of moral conduct. A person who stumbles chooses not to obey the LORD’s commands. As a result, he suffers downfall and ruin.
Here the phrase does not refer only to a temporary or minor difficulty. These are Hosea’s final words that refer back to the book of Hosea as a whole. In these chapters, he includes many serious warnings. People who reject the LORD suffer ruin and death as a result. Here those warnings are in view. (See also Hosea 4:5a and 5:5a–c)
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