Paragraph 10:5–8
In this paragraph, Hosea tells how the LORD will punish the people of Israel. He will cause the Assyrian army to take away the calf idol at Bethel and destroy the altars where they worshiped idols. The Assyrians will also take captive the king of Samaria. The people’s response will be to mourn the loss of their calf idol and to beg to die.
10:5a
The people of Samaria:
In this verse, Samaria, the capital of Israel, is a figure of speech that represents the nation of Israel. Some versions make the name “Israel” explicit here. For example:
The people from Israel (New Century Version)
will fear for the calf: The expression fear for means to be concerned about someone or something. The calf refers to an idol shaped like a calf. Here it refers to the people’s concern about their calf-idol. They are fearful that the Assyrians will take it away from them. The phrase does not mean that the calf-idol frightens them.
Here are some other ways to translate 10:5a:
The people of Samaria tremble in fear for their calf idol (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
the people from Israel are worried about the calf-shaped idol (New Century Version)
Beth-aven: The term Beth-aven means “house of wickedness.” This is the name that Hosea normally uses for “Bethel.” See also the note on Beth-aven in 4:15b.
10:5b–c
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
5b Indeed, its people will mourn
5c
with its idolatrous priests —
There is an ellipsis (deliberate omission) in 10:5c. In some languages, it will be necessary to supply the missing verb from 10:5b. For example:
5c and its idolatrous priests ⌊will mourn ⌋ over it also,
Priests as well as people mourned over the loss of the calf-idol.
10:5b
Indeed, its people will mourn: In Hebrew, this clause begins with the word ki. In this context, some scholars think that it indicates emphasis. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this emphasis explicitly.
Most versions leave the relationship implied. You may follow either approach. The Display will give an example of each.
its people: There are two main ways to interpret this phrase:
(1) The pronoun its refers to Samaria. The phrase its people refers to Samaria’s people, the residents there. For example:
the people there will mourn for it (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, New Century Version, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible)
(2) The pronoun its refers to the calf. The phrase its people refers to the calf’s people, the people who worship the calf. For example:
those that worship the calf will mourn over it
The Notes and Display will follow interpretation (1). However either interpretation is acceptable. Both interpretations describe the same people. The difference is that interpretation (1) focuses more on their place of residence. Interpretation (2) focuses more on their devotion to the idol. Many versions are ambiguous.
will mourn: This phrase means that the people will express their sorrow over the loss of their calf idol. Normally people mourn when a family member or other loved one dies. Mourning was usually expressed in a way that others could see and hear.
10:5c
with its idolatrous priests: In Hebrew, the phrase idolatrous priests is a single word. It is used only for pagan priests. This line refers to the priests that were associated with the worship of the calf idol.
The pronoun referent in the phrase its idolatrous priests is parallel to the phrase “its people” in 10:5b, so the referent of both phrases is probably Samaria. For example:
5b
Samaria’s people mourn over it
5c
and Samaria’s pagan priests wail for it
10:5d
those who rejoiced in its glory: In Hebrew, this line is a clause that is more literally “they rejoice on its glory.” This line further describes the mourners in 10:5b–c. They normally rejoice over the calf’s splendor.
The rejoicing of the people in 10:5d contrasts with their mourning in 10:b-c. In Hebrew, the form of the verb “rejoice” here indicates incomplete or continuous action. In this context, it may refer to habitual rejoicing in the past or in the present.
Here are some ways to show this contrast:
• Use past tense. One example is the Berean Standard Bible above. Here are other examples:
those who rejoiced over it and over its glory (English Standard Version)
-or-
They used to shout for joy about its glory (New Century Version)
• Use a clause that indicates an unexpected result. For example:
Those that worship the calf will mourn over it, although they now praise its glory with joy.
those who rejoiced: The last antecedent of those is “its idolatrous priests.” But since “its people” and “its idolatrous priests” are parallel terms, it probably refers to both these groups, not only to the priests. Many versions are ambiguous. You should either translate in a way that is ambiguous or in a way that can refer to both these groups.
rejoiced: There is a textual issue with this word:
(1) The Hebrew word in the Masoretic text means “rejoice.” For example:
They used to shout for joy about its glory (New Century Version)
(2) Some scholars think that the original text was “cry/wail.” For example:
They will wail when it is stripped of its golden splendor. (Good News Translation)
It is recommended that you follow option (1). The LXX also supports this option. There is no support for option (2) from Hebrew manuscripts or ancient versions.
its glory: This refers to the glory or splendor of the calf. The term glory here could indicate that those who worshiped the calf thought that it was a deity. It could also refer to a physical attribute such as beauty or to its monetary value.
Here are some other ways to translate its glory :
its deity/godlikeness
-or-
its beauty/magnificence
-or-
its great value
In some languages, it may be appropriate and natural to use more than one of these terms.
General Comment on 10:5b–d
10:5b–c describes action in the near future. 10:5d describes action in the past or perhaps both past and present. In some languages, it may be more natural to rearrange the verse parts to first describe past and present action before speaking of future action. For example:
5b–c The people and priests 5d rejoice now over the glory of the calf-idol 5b–c but they will soon mourn over it.
10:5e–6a
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning.
10:5e for it has been taken from them into exile.
10:6a Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king.
These lines give the reason why the people mourned and why they could no longer rejoice over the glory of the calf. It is because that glory will be taken away when the calf is taken into exile.
10:5e
for it has been taken from them into exile: In Hebrew, this clause begins with the word ki (see 10:5b). Here ki introduces the reason that the people mourned. Many versions translate it with the word for or “because.” Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.
The Hebrew clause is more literally: “it has departed (or “gone into exile”) from it.” Each pronoun has more than one possible referent. Also the Hebrew verb can mean either “depart/leave” or “go into exile.” For these reasons, there are various ways to interpret this clause.
Here are two main interpretations:
(1) “It” (the glory) has left “it” (the calf idol). For example:
its glory will be taken away into captivity. (God’s Word)
-or-
the glory that has departed from it. (New Revised Standard Version)
(2) “It” (the calf idol) has gone into exile from “it” (Beth-aven or Israel). The idol is taken to Assyria either as plunder or as a gift for the king of Assyria. For example:
for the image of their god which is carried away into exile. (Revised English Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions. It makes good sense to understand the Hebrew pronouns here to refer to the calf and the calf’s glory as in 10:5d. However, interpretation (2) is also acceptable. It makes good sense if 10:6a is understood to be parallel to 10:5e.
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