11:6a–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

6a
A sword will flash through their cities;

6b
it will destroy the bars of their gates

6c and consume them in their own plans.

There is an ellipsis in the second and third lines. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from the first line. For example:

6b
⌊ swords⌋will destroy the bars of their gates

6c and ⌊swords will ⌋ consume them in their own plans.

These three lines warn that an enemy will make war against the Israelites and will defeat them.

11:6a

A sword will flash through their cities: This line is more literally “and a sword will whirl in his cities.” The word sword is a figure of speech (metonymy) that represents “war.” This line says in a poetic way that an enemy will go to war against Israel.

The word flash means “whirl” or “twist.” The word describes the movement of a sword when used in an attack. Here are some other ways to translate this line:

the sword will rage through his cities (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
War will sweep through their cities (Good News Translation)

11:6b

it will destroy the bars of their gates: This line continues to describe the enemy attack on the cities of Israel.

destroy: In Hebrew, this word means “destroy” or “exterminate.” It can mean to destroy an object or a person. This line may refer to both actions. See the note below.

the bars of their gates: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the bars of their gates has various meanings. In this context, there are two main interpretations:

(1) The word means bars. This word refers to metal bars that kept large city gates locked. This interpretation implies that the enemy will also break through the gates of each city to enter it and kill the inhabitants. For example:

It will destroy the bars of their city gates (NET Bible)

(2) The word means “false prophets/priests.” These influential people claimed to represent the LORD, but they spoke lies to the king and his officials. For example:

and it will make an end of their priests (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions.

11:6c

and consume them in their own plans: This clause is literally “and it will devour from their schemes.” There are two main interpretations of this clause:

(1) The clause means that their schemes/plans are the reason that the sword will devour them. For example:

and devour them because of their scheming (Revised English Bible)

(2) The clause means that the sword will devour their schemes. For example:

and put an end to their plans (God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions.

Notice that in the Masoretic Text, this clause does not indicate what the sword devours. It says “and it will devour from their schemes.” Interpretation (1) assumes that one of the following options is true:

• The object of the verb “devour” is “the people.” This was understood implicitly by Hebrew readers. For example:

It will destroy my people because they do what they themselves think best. (Good News Translation)
-or-
devouring them because of their plots (New Jerusalem Bible)

• The verb “devour” is intransitive here, so it has no object. Hosea is giving attention to the reason for the devouring rather than to what is being devoured. For example:

and devours because of their schemes. (New Revised Standard Version)

Either option is acceptable. The Hebrew can be understood either way. Also the meaning difference is not significant. Choose the option that is the most natural in your language.

consume: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as consume is literally “devour.” Here it is used figuratively to mean “slay” or “destroy.” For example:

destroy my people (Good News Translation)
-or-
kill them (New Century Version)

them in their own plans: There is a textual issue with the Hebrew word for them in their own plans :

(1) The Masoretic Text has “plans/schemes.” For example:

And devours because of their schemes (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) Some scholars think that the original text had the word “fortresses.” For example:

And will devour them in their fortresses (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. Ancient versions also support this option.

The Hebrew word for their own plans means “their advice,” “their counsel,” or “their plan.” Here it may refer especially to choices that the people of Israel made without seeking guidance from the LORD. These choices may include seeking help from idols or from Egypt.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

their own evil plans (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
their plots (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
their scheming (Revised English Bible)
-or-
they do what they themselves think best (Good News Translation)

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