Paragraph 1:4–5
This paragraph refers back to an event that occurred in a place called Jezreel. In Jezreel, King Jehu, an ancestor of Jeroboam II, had brutally killed the family of King Ahab (see 2 Kings 9–10). Although the LORD himself had commanded Jehu to destroy the family of Ahab (see 2 Kings 9:7), Jehu had exceeded this command when he killed many other people as well. For this reason, the LORD was going to punish Jehu’s descendants. It may be helpful to include some of this historical information in a footnote to help your readers to understand the reason for God’s judgment.
1:4a
Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel: The LORD told Hosea to name his son after the place in Israel called Jezreel. Jezreel was the name of both a valley and a town. The name Jezreel means “God scatters.” Here it has a bad connotation. In 1:11d it has a good connotation. See the notes there for more information.
1:4b–c
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
4b for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu,
4c and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.
Verse 1:4c adds information that clarifies how the LORD will punish the descendants of King Jehu.
1:4b
for: In Hebrew, this word introduces the reason that the LORD told Hosea to name his child Jezreel. Some English versions translate it as for or “because.” Other versions leave this connection implied. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.
soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu: This is the reason that the LORD told Hosea to name his child Jezreel. The name would be a reminder and a warning. It would remind the Israelites of the murders that Jehu committed at Jezreel when he was king of Israel. It would also warn them that the LORD was going to punish Jehu’s descendants for what he had done.
the bloodshed of Jezreel: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “the blood of Jezreel.” It refers to the murders that Jehu committed at Jezreel.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
the bloodshed at Jezreel (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the people they killed at Jezreel (New Century Version)
-or-
the murders he committed in Jezreel Valley (Contemporary English Version)
In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit that Jehu committed the murders. For example:
the murders that his ancestor Jehu committed (Good News Translation)
Use a phrase that communicates the meaning clearly in your language.
the house of Jehu: In Hebrew, the phrase the house of may have more than one meaning. It can refer to the people of an entire nation (see 1:6c “the house of Israel” and 1:7a “the house of Judah”), the family or descendants of an individual, or the dynasty of a king. Here it refers specifically to Jehu’s descendant King Jeroboam II and his family.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
dynasty of Jehu (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the descendants of King Jehu of Israel (Contemporary English Version)
It may also be helpful to make it explicit that the king of Israel is the actual person to whom the house of Jehu refers. For example:
punish the king of Israel for the murders that his ancestor Jehu committed (Good News Translation)
Even though the Good News Translation does not use an expression like house of Jehu, it makes clear the connection between the king of Israel and Jehu by using the phrase “his ancestor Jehu.” Translate this idea in a way that communicates the meaning clearly in your language.
1:4c
and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel: In Hebrew, the phrase the kingdom of Israel is literally “the kingdom of the house of Israel.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase here:
(1) It refers to the northern kingdom of Israel. It means that Israel would cease to exist as an independent nation. For example:
I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. (God’s Word)
(2) It refers specifically to the rule of Jehu’s descendant, Jeroboam II. It means that this dynasty would cease to exist and that a new king who was not descended from Jehu would replace Jeroboam II. For example:
I am going to put an end to Jehu’s dynasty. (Good News Translation)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It best fits the context of 1:5.
I will put an end to: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as put an end to means “to cause to stop.” The LORD will no longer allow the northern kingdom of Israel to exist as an independent nation. This statement does not include the southern kingdom of Judah. See the note on 1:7a.
Here are some other ways to translate 1:4c:
I will bring an end to Israel’s independence. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I will cause the nation/government of Israel to cease to exist.
-or-
I will cause Israel’s status as a country to end.
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