6:11a

In 6:7–10, the LORD spoke about the sins of people in the northern kingdom of Israel. Here in 6:11a, he spoke to the people of the southern kingdom of Judah.

Also for you, O Judah, a harvest is appointed: In this sentence, the LORD warned the people of Judah that he had set a time to judge them.

Also: This word indicates that the LORD had set a time to judge Judah as well as Israel. The judgment for Israel was not made explicit in 6:7–10, but the word Also implies it here.

you, O Judah: The LORD addressed the people of Judah directly through the prophet Hosea.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

as for you, people of Judah (Good News Translation)
-or-
For you also, O Judah (New Revised Standard Version)

Use a term of address (vocative) that is natural in your language when a person speaks to a group of people.

a harvest: In this context, the word harvest has a figurative meaning. It refers to the consequences of a person’s behavior. Here it refers to the consequences that the people of Judah will experience when the LORD judges them for their sin.

Here are some other ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the figure of speech and make the meaning of judgment explicit. For example:

a harvest of punishment is also waiting for you (New Living Translation (2004))

• Omit the figure of harvest and translate the meaning directly. For example:

I have set a time to punish you also for what you are doing (Good News Translation)

is appointed: This phrase means that a time is set for the harvest to happen. This is a passive form. In some languages, it may be necessary to use an active verb and make the agent explicit. For example:

I have appointed a time to reap judgment (NET Bible)

Notice that the NET Bible and Good News Translation both use active verbs. They differ in that the NET Bible keeps the figure of reaping whereas the Good News Translation translates the meaning non-figuratively. Express the meaning clearly and naturally in your language.

6:11b–7:1a

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

6:11b when I restore My people from captivity.

7:1a When I heal Israel,

There are two main ways to interpret the relationship between the clauses in 6:11b and 7:1a:

(1) The clauses are parallel. Both clauses refer to occasions when the LORD desired to bless his people. These clauses are the first part of a sentence that continues in 7:1. For example:

6:11b When I would restore the fortunes of my people, 7:1a when I would heal Israel, (New Revised Standard Version)

(Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, NET Bible, New International Version, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible)

(2) The clauses are not parallel. The first clause refers back to the appointed harvest for Judah in 6:11a. That harvest would happen when the LORD restored the fortunes of his people.

With this interpretation, this clause is the final part of the sentence that began with 6:11a. The second clause starts a new sentence. For example:

6:11a For you too, Judah, a harvest is in store, 6:11b when I restore my people’s fortunes. 7:1a Whenever I would heal Israel, (New Jerusalem Bible)

Interpretation (1) is recommended. It best fits the context of the surrounding verses that focus on the sins of the people. Interpretation (2) makes good sense only if the “harvest” mentioned in 6:11a is understood as the LORD’s blessing. However, here it probably refers to his judgment.

6:11b

when I restore My people from captivity: In Hebrew, the phrase when I implies that the LORD desires to do something and that his desire is not fulfilled. The phrase restore My people from captivity is literally “turn back the captivity of my people.” This is a Hebrew idiom. It refers here to the LORD’s desire to restore the prosperity and stability that his people enjoyed in earlier times.

Here are some ways to make explicit the idea of unfulfilled desire:

Whenever I want to restore the fortunes of my people (NET Bible)
-or-
At the same time that I desire to restore the fortunes of my people…

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