12:10

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

10a
I spoke through the prophets

10b and multiplied their visions;

10c
I gave parables through the prophets.

In these lines, the LORD continues to speak. He tells the people that he has communicated in various ways by means of his prophets.

In Hebrew, this verse begins with a word that connects it to the previous verse. In many other places, this word is translated as “and” or “but.”

Here the connection to the previous verse is unclear. These are some possibilities:

(a) This verse expands on 12:9a. The LORD led them out of Egypt through his prophet Moses. The LORD continued to guide and teach them through other prophets in the years afterward.

(b) This verse gives a reason why the LORD will make them live in tents again. They knew what the LORD expected from them. He clearly revealed his expectations through the prophets.

(c) This verse is information that is secondary to the main prophecy. It is only loosely connected to the surrounding verses.

Many versions leave the connection of this verse to the previous one implied. Use a natural way in your language to indicate the connection of this verse to 12:9.

12:10a

I spoke through the prophets: This phrase may indicate that the LORD gave the prophets authority to speak as his representatives. Here is another way to make that explicit:

I sent my prophets to warn you (New Living Translation (2004))

12:10b

and multiplied their visions: This clause refers to the many visions that the LORD gave to the prophets throughout Israel’s history. In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “and I, I multiplied visions.” The explicit pronoun “I” at the front of the clause may indicate emphasis. Here are two ways that versions indicate this emphasis:

I myself revealed many visions (NET Bible)
-or-
It was I who gave vision after vision (Revised English Bible)

visions: The Hebrew word can mean either “vision” or word of “revelation.”

12:10c

I gave parables through the prophets: This clause is more literally “and by/through the hand of the prophets I gave parables.” The Hebrew expression “by/through the hand of” indicates the means by which something is done.

There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as gave parables :

(1) The word means to tell parables or to use figures of speech. For example:

and told parables through the them (New International Version)

(2) The word means to ruin/destroy. For example:

and through the prophets I will bring destruction (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most versions follow this view, and it fits the context of the parallel lines well.

Some versions make explicit the purpose of giving parables. The purpose is to teach. For example:

I taught lessons through the prophets. (God’s Word)

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