Paragraph 2:16–20
Verses 16–17 describe a future time when the LORD will cause the Israelites to stop worshiping the gods they call Baals. The LORD alone will be the one they worship and serve.
In return for their devotion, he promised to protect them and their crops from wild animals and from war (verses 18–20). Compare the similar promise to the Israelites in Leviticus 26:5–6.
2:16a
In that day: This is the same phrase that Hosea used in 1:5. Here in 2:16a, it refers to a time that is farther in the future than the lifetime of Hosea or his audience.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
At that time (NET Bible)
-or-
In the future (New Century Version)
-or-
When that day comes (New Living Translation (2004))
declares the LORD: The Hebrew phrase here is the same as in 2:13c. See the note there. In some languages, it may be more natural to put this phrase at the beginning of the verse. For example:
The Lord says, “In the future… (New Century Version)
2:16b–c
Notice the parallelism. Verse 2:16b gives a positive command. Verse 2:16c gives a corresponding negative command.
16b
you will call Me ‘my Husband’;
16c
and no longer call Me ‘my Master’.
‘my Husband,’…‘my Master.’: These parallel terms involve a play on words. The Hebrew word ʾiš, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Husband, connotes an affectionate relationship between a man and his wife. The Hebrew word baʿal, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as Master, has the meanings “owner/master” and “husband.” Women commonly used this word to refer to their husbands, but it had a more formal or legal connotation. It was also the name of the Canaanite god, “Baal.”
In the context of this metaphor, the LORD (Israel’s God) was pictured as Israel’s husband. People who spoke Hebrew would have understood two things from this verse:
(a) The LORD wanted Israel to be loyal to him alone. He did not want her to refer to him by the name of the heathen god Baal or to confuse him in any way with the worship of Baal.
(b) The LORD wanted to have an intimate relationship with Israel. He wanted Israel to think of him as her beloved husband (ʾiš), not just her master (baʿal).
In most languages, it will not be possible to reproduce this play on words so that both meanings can be understood. There are two options:
• Translate baʿal as a proper name. For example:
My Baal (New Jerusalem Bible)
• Translate baʿal as a title. For example:
My master (NET Bible)
The first option fits better with the following context, especially 2:17a. The second option fits better with the preceding context, especially 2:14 and 2:15c. The Display will follow the first option, but you may choose either option. It is recommended that you add a footnote to explain the play on words.
Here is a possible footnote:
There were two words for “husband” in Hebrew: ish and baal. The word baal also meant “master.” The LORD wanted Israel to no longer use the word baal, because Baal was also the name of one of the Canaanite gods. Instead, they should use the word ish.
you: Up through 2:15, the LORD used the pronoun “she” to refer to Israel. But in this verse, he used the pronoun you to address the nation of Israel directly. In Hebrew poetry, it is common for an author to alternate pronouns in this way, even though the pronoun referent remains the same. It happens frequently in this chapter.
One way that versions reduce the potential confusion to readers is by reducing the number of times the pronouns alternate. For example, the New Living Translation (2004) changes to “you” in this verse (2:16) and continues to use “you” until 2:20. The Good News Translation does it differently. It continues to use “she” in this verse:
Then once again she will call me her husband—she will no longer call me her Baal. (Good News Translation)
It changes to “you” in 2:19. In some languages, it may be more natural to use “they” when referring to the Israelites.
You should use the most natural and least confusing way in your language to translate the pronouns here and in 2:17–18. The Display will follow the Berean Standard Bible pronoun choice in the first meaning line and give another pronoun choice in the second meaning line.
General Comment on 2:16b–c
In some languages, it may be more natural to put the negative statement before the positive statement. For example:
16c you will no longer call me by the name of your god, Baal. 16b Instead, you will acknowledge that I am your husband.
In some languages, it may also be more natural to combine the parallel verbs. For example:
husband is the word that you will use when you speak to me, not Baal
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