10:13a–c
In this verse, Hosea continues to speak directly to the people of Israel. These verse parts are another saying about sowing and reaping. It contrasts with the saying in 10:12a–c. There, the saying figuratively reminds the people of Israel that the LORD requires them to be righteous and loving. But here the saying describes how the people actually lived. They were wicked and evil.
Notice the parallel parts:
13a
You have plowed wickedness
13b and reaped injustice;
13c
you have eaten the fruit of lies.
10:13a–b
You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice: This is a metaphor. It compares people who live in wicked ways to people who plow (and by implication plant seeds) and then harvest a crop. People who plow wickedness will harvest a crop of evil.
Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:
• Keep the metaphor. For example:
You have planted wickedness and harvested evil. (God’s Word)
-or-
You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice (English Standard Version)
• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
You have been like people who plant wickedness and harvest a crop of evil.
• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
You have lived sinfully and are now full of evil.
In Hebrew, the contrast between 13a–c and 12a–c is implied. Some versions make it explicit by adding the word “but” to introduce this contrast. Use a natural way in your language to indicate this contrast.
You have plowed wickedness: This phrase contrasts with “sow for yourselves righteousness” in 12a. The Hebrew word for “plow” here probably implies sowing in addition to plowing. One method of growing crops was to scatter the seed and then plow it into the ground. Many versions use only the word plowed, but it may be better to use a word or phrase that more clearly shows the contrast to “sow.” For example:
cultivated (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
planted (Good News Translation)
The Hebrew word for wickedness means to do wrong. It is the opposite of the righteousness that God commanded them to sow in 12a.
and reaped injustice: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “you have reaped injustice/badness.” The phrase contrasts with “reap love” in 12b. It indicates that injustice is the result of wicked behavior. The word injustice is very similar to the Hebrew word for wickedness in 13a. Both words mean to do what is wrong.
10:13c
you have eaten the fruit of lies: This clause is part of the metaphor in 13a–b that compares the people of Israel to people who plant seeds and then harvest a crop. In this clause, the people of Israel are compared to people who eat fruit of deception/lies.
Here are some ways to translate this clause:
• Keep the metaphor. For example:
you have eaten the fruit of lies (New Revised Standard Version)
• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
It is as if deception has been your food.
• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
You have been deceitful in all you do.
In Hebrew, the word lies refers to either the act of lying or the lies that result from that action. To eat deception/lies is probably a figurative way to say that lies and deceit characterized the people’s conduct. Deception was normal behavior for them. See Hosea 11:12.
There are two main ways to understand the phrase fruit of lies. Either option is valid.
• The phrase fruit of lies means fruit that consists of deception/lies. The deception/fruit that Israel eats is the product of Israel’s wickedness and evil. For example:
You have eaten lies, which is the fruit that your wickedness produced.
• The phrase fruit of lies means fruit that comes/results from deception/lying. The fruit that Israel eats is the product of deception/lies. For example:
You have eaten the fruit that your lies produced. (God’s Word)
10:13d
Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men: There are two main ways to understand the relationship of this clause to the clauses that surround it:
(1) This clause is related to the clauses that follow it. It gives the reason for the coming destruction (see 10:14). For example:
13d Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your warriors, 14a therefore the tumult of war shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be destroyed (English Standard Version)
(2) This clause is related to the clause that precedes it. It explains the deception/lies that Israel has eaten. For example:
13c You have eaten the fruit of lies—13d trusting in your military might, believing that great armies could make your nation safe. (New Living Translation (2004))
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries.
Because: This word introduces the reason for the destruction that 10:14 tells about. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.
you have trusted in your own way: In Hebrew, the pronoun you is plural in 13a–c. However, it is singular in this clause. Hosea may be thinking of the nation as one unit. Translate the pronoun here and in 10:14 in a way that is natural in your language.
The word trusted means to place confidence in a person or an object.
way: There are textual and interpretation issues with the Hebrew word for strength:
(1) The Masoretic Text has “you have trusted in your own way.” Here way should be interpreted as military strength or power. For example:
you have trusted in your power (New Revised Standard Version)
(2) The LXX has “you have trusted in your chariots.” For example:
you have trusted in your chariots (Revised English Bible)
(3) The Masoretic Text has “you have trusted in your own way.” In this context, it may refer to the way that the nation of Israel conducts its affairs. For example:
you have trusted in your way (New American Standard Bible)
You may follow option (1) or (2). Both options make good sense in the context of military strength and the following reference to warriors. The Display will follow option (1).
and in the multitude of your mighty men: In Hebrew, this phrase does not begin with the word and. The Berean Standard Bible and some other versions supply it. The absence of this word in Hebrew probably indicates that Israel’s strength consisted in their mighty men. The mighty men were not a separate item in addition to their strength.
Here are some ways to express the more accurate meaning:
…trusting in your military might, believing that great armies could make your nation safe. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
you have trusted in your power, in your great numbers of warriors (adapted from New Jerusalem Bible)
The Hebrew word for “mighty man” means “strong or valiant man,” or “military hero.”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
soldiers (New Century Version)
-or-
mighty men (King James Version)
-or-
powerful forces (Contemporary English Version)
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