14:5a

I will be like the dew to Israel: This clause is a simile in which the LORD compares himself to dew. The word dew refers to the drops of water that appear on plants in the evening and/or morning.

Here are two ways that the LORD is similar to dew:

(a) He gives refreshment.

(b) He provides what is needed for life and health.

Some versions make explicit a way that the LORD and dew are similar. For example:

I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. (New Living Translation (2004))

14:5b

he will blossom like the lily: This clause is a simile that compares Israel to a lily. Israel will blossom in a way similar to a lily.

The Hebrew word for lily refers to a flower. The Hebrew word for blossom means to “bud” or “sprout.” Here it probably refers to a bud opening into a flower blossom.

Here are some ways that Israel will (figuratively) blossom:

(a) The people will reproduce abundantly like a lily.

(b) Israel will be beautiful and fragrant like a lily.

Some versions make explicit that the pronoun he refers to Israel. For example:

Israel will blossom like the lily (New Living Translation (2004))

Some versions have “flowers” instead of lily. This may be a good translation option to follow in languages that do not have a word for lily. For example:

They will blossom like flowers (Good News Translation)

14:5c

and take root like the cedars of Lebanon: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “and it will strike its roots like (the) Lebanon.” There is a textual issue with the name Lebanon in this clause:

(1) The Masoretic Text has Lebanon. For example:

and he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon (New American Standard Bible)

(2) Some scholars think that the original word was “poplar.” For example:

he shall strike root as the poplar (Revised Standard Version)

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

The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as take root is more literally “and it will strike.” The phrase “strike its roots” means to “thrust” roots into the ground.

The clause is a simile that compares Israel’s roots to the roots of a cedar of Lebanon. This comparison implies several things:

(a) Their roots provide nourishment, so Israel will have splendor/glory.

(b) Their roots are hardy, so Israel will become great and last a long time.

(c) Their roots are deep and firm, so Israel will be strong and stable.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

They will be firmly rooted like the trees of Lebanon. (Good News Translation)
-or-
it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon. (New Living Translation (2004))

cedars of Lebanon: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cedars of Lebanon is more literally “like the Lebanon.” There are at least two acceptable ways to translate this expression. They are listed here in order of more specific to less specific:

• Make explicit that this expression probably refers to “cedar” trees that were famous in Lebanon at that time. For example:

He will send down his roots like a cedar of Lebanon. (NET Bible)

• Make explicit that this expression may refer to the trees or forests of Lebanon. For example:

he shall strike root like the forests of Lebanon. (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon (English Standard Version)

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