13:6–8

In 13:4–5, the LORD speaks to the people of Israel using 2nd person pronouns such as “you” and “your.” In 13:6–8, he speaks about the people of Israel using 3rd person pronouns such as “they” and “them.”

Some versions, such as the Good News Translation, translate these verses with 2nd person pronouns instead of 3rd person. Translate these pronouns in a natural way in your language.

13:6a–c

Notice the three poetic lines:

6a When they had pasture, they became satisfied;

6b when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud,

6c and as a result they forgot Me.

These lines describe three stages of Israel’s changing attitude toward the LORD. In Deut 8:11–14 the same three stages are described. Both passages have the same Hebrew words for “satisfied,” “proud,” and “forget.” It is recommended that you translate these Hebrew words in a similar way in both places.

13:6a

When they had pasture, they became satisfied: There are two main textual options in the first part of this clause (a single word in Hebrew):

(1) The Masoretic Text is more literally “according to their pasturage.” With this option, the clause focuses on the relationship between eating/grazing and being satisfied. The source of the food is left implied. For example:

As they had their pasture, they became satisfied (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
but when they had grazed, they became full (English Standard Version)

(2) Some scholars think that the original text was “as/when I pastured them.” With this option, the relationship between eating/grazing and being satisfied is similar. “I” (the LORD) is explicitly stated as the source of the food. For example:

I gave them food, and they became full and satisfied. (New Century Version)

The Display will follow option (1). However, option (2) is also well supported by versions and commentaries. With both options, the result of available pasturage (food) is that the people are satisfied. Even with option (1), the historical context of Israel’s time in the wilderness along with the context of 13:3 strongly implies that it was the LORD who supplied them with their food.

had pasture: The Hebrew word for had pasture is more literally “pasturage.” It usually refers to the grass or other vegetation that domestic animals eat. Here the word is probably figurative. It may refer particularly to manna that the LORD provided for his people in the desert of Sinai. Or it may refer to all the food and other provisions that the people of Israel needed to thrive.

satisfied: In Hebrew, this word means “to eat one’s fill.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

became full and satisfied (New Century Version)
-or-
They became full (English Standard Version)

13:6b

when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud: The LORD met the people’s needs. But instead of being thankful to him, they became proud.

In some languages, it may not be natural to include the phrase when they were satisfied in both 6a and 6b. Some versions leave this phrase implied. For example:

and then you grew proud (Good News Translation)

hearts became proud: In Hebrew, the phrase hearts became proud is more literally “and their heart was lifted up.” This expression means they were proud/arrogant. Here it indicates that the people did not acknowledge the LORD. They thought they did not need him.

13:6c

as a result they forgot Me: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “therefore they forgot me.” The word “therefore” introduces the result or consequence of their prideful response to God’s provision.

Here are some ways to indicate result or consequence:

therefore they forgot me (Revised Standard Version)
-or-

And so they forgot Me (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-

That is why you forgot me (God’s Word)

forgot Me: Here the Hebrew word means to stop thinking/caring about the LORD. It probably implies at least these four things:

• They ignored their commitment to the LORD and to their covenant obligations.

• They followed other gods.

• They stopped temple worship.

• They trusted in the things they had instead of trusting in the LORD.

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