5:11

In this verse, the focus shifts from the southern kingdom of Judah back to the northern kingdom of Israel.

5:11a

Ephraim is oppressed, crushed in judgment: This verse part implies that the people of Israel are oppressed by their enemies. This oppression is the means by which the LORD judges them.

In the preceding context, the judgment on Ephraim clearly refers to a future event (see 5:7, 5:9). The following context (5:14) also refers to a future event. Here in 5:11a, Hosea describes the judgment as if it has already begun. Scholars have not been able to identify the exact historical context. So we do not know if this judgment refers to the same future event as in 5:9a or if it refers to a different event that has already begun. Examples of both options are given in the following note on “oppressed, trampled.” You may choose either option.

Ephraim: In this context, the tribe of Ephraim probably represents all the people of the nation of Israel. See the note on Ephraim…Israel at 5:3a–b.

oppressed, crushed: The words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as oppressed and crushed have almost the same meaning in this context. Both words are passive forms that refer to people who are being mistreated or caused hardship by their enemies.

The translations crushed and “trampled” are both figurative. They do not refer here to literal crushing or trampling. Use one or more literal or figurative terms in your language that refer to oppression.

Here are some other ways to translate this whole clause using passive forms:

Israel is crushed by the punishment (New Century Version)
-or-
The people of Israel will be crushed and broken by my judgment (New Living Translation (2004))

In some languages, it may be necessary to use active forms and to make explicit who oppresses the people of Israel and who judges them.

Here are some ways to translate this clause using active forms:

The time ⌊for me ⌋ to punish the people of Israel has arrived. ⌊I will send their enemies ⌋ to cause them great hardship and suffering.
-or-

⌊ The enemies of⌋Israel oppress and mistreat them as a result of ⌊my ⌋ judgment against them.

in judgment: This phrase indicates that the LORD allows an enemy to oppress and trample the people as his judgment or punishment against them.

5:11b

for he is determined to follow worthless idols: The reason Israel is oppressed and trampled in judgment is because they are intent on pursuing idols. Some versions translate this word as “because” (Revised Standard Version). Other versions leave it implied. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.

determined to follow: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “he was determined to walk after.” It means that the people had made a deliberate decision to follow something.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

having deliberately followed (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-

decided to follow (New Century Version)

worthless idols: There are several textual and interpretation issues involving the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worthless idols. (See the preceding and following footnote for details). None of the textual choices literally means idols. However, in this context, most of the choices refer to idol worship, which was both worthless and filthy in the sight of God.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

worshiping useless idols (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
pursuing what is worthless (Revised English Bible)
-or-
follow idols (New Century Version)
-or-
determined to go after filth (English Standard Version)

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