10:14

This verse gives the result of Israel’s self-reliance in 10:13d. An enemy will attack them. In Hebrew, this result is not explicit. Some versions make it explicit by using a word that introduces a result. For example:

therefore the tumult of war shall arise among your people (Revised Standard Version)
-or-

So war will break out (Contemporary English Version)

Use a natural way in your language to introduce a result.

10:14a

the roar of battle will rise against your people: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “an uproar will arise among your people.” This Hebrew phrase is a figure of speech (metonymy) that indicates a war against Israel will soon begin. This battle/war probably refers to the invasion of Israel by the Assyrian army. Many versions make it explicit that this clause refers to warfare. For example:

therefore the tumult of war shall arise among your people (English Standard Version)
-or-
your people will hear the noise of battle (New Century Version)

Some versions do not include the metonymy, “an uproar will arise.” Instead, they state the meaning directly. For example:

war will come to your people (Good News Translation)

10:14b

so that all your fortresses will be demolished: This clause describes the war in more detail. The enemy army will destroy even the most well protected places in Israel.

The Hebrew word for fortresses means buildings or cities that have very thick, strong, stone walls to protect them. For example:

and all your strong, walled cities will be destroyed (New Century Version)
-or-
All your fortifications will fall (New Living Translation (2004))

10:14c–d

as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle, when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children: 10:14c–d gives an example to illustrate how severe the Assyrian war will be. The severity will be comparable to a past war. The Hebrew text and most versions introduce the comparison with a comparative word or phrase. For example:

as Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel on the day of battle (English Standard Version)
-or-

just as when Shalman destroyed Beth-arbel (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
It will be like the day when King Shalman destroyed the city of Betharbel in battle (Good News Translation)

Use a natural way in your language to introduce the comparison.

10:14c

as Shalman devastated Beth-arbel in the day of battle: This clause refers to a past battle that was no doubt known to the people in Hosea’s time. Modern scholars, however, do not know who Shalman is, where Beth-arbel is, or when the battle occurred.

the day of battle: This expression refers to the time that the battle occurred. Some versions leave this information implied.

Here are some other ways to say it:

in battle (God’s Word)
-or-
when that battle happened

10:14d

when mothers were dashed to pieces along with their children: This clause is more literally “mother with children was dashed in pieces.” It describes the extreme brutality of the slaughter.

The Hebrew word for dashed to pieces means “to smite, smash, dash to pieces.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

mothers and their children were crushed to death (Good News Translation)
-or-
when mothers and their children were bashed to death. (New Century Version)

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