Paragraph 7:11–12
7:11a
So Ephraim has become like a silly, senseless dove: This statement is a simile. In this simile, Ephraim is compared to a dove. The way in which Ephraim is like a dove is that both lack sense and are silly or easy to deceive. Try to keep this simile in your translation if possible, since a similar figure of speech also occurs in the next verse.
However, if this simile is not natural in your language, here some other possible ways to translate it:
• Translate the figure of speech using a substitute for dove. See the options under the note on dove below.
• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
Israel has been gullible and stupid.
Ephraim: The tribe of Ephraim here probably represents all the people of the nation of Israel. See the note on Ephraim at 7:8a.
silly: This phrase refers to people who are naive or gullible. Such people quickly believe anything they are told, so it is easy to persuade them to do something that is foolish or wrong.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
easily deceived (New International Version)
-or-
easy to fool (New Century Version)
senseless: This word means “lack good judgment.”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
stupid (New Century Version)
-or-
lacking discernment (NET Bible)
dove: In Hebrew, this word refers to either a dove or a pigeon. These are domesticated birds that are easily frightened. They also flutter from one place to another without a clear reason.
If doves and pigeons are unknown in your area, here are some other options:
• Use a general word instead of dove. For example:
Israel is a senseless bird fluttering back and forth (Contemporary English Version)
• Substitute a different bird with similar characteristics that is known in your area.
7:11b–c
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
11b
calling out to Egypt,
11c
then turning to Assyria.
These lines continue the simile that compares Ephraim to a dove. Together the lines explain the way in which Ephraim was silly and senseless. The leaders of Israel did not call to God or seek him in their distress. Instead they sought alliances with enemy nations. The way they went back and forth between Egypt and Assyria, asking for help, was like a dove that flutters unpredictably from one place to another.
calling out to Egypt, then turning to Assyria: These parallel lines probably indicate that the leaders of Israel requested an alliance with Egypt. They then broke that alliance in order to make an alliance with Assyria.
Some versions add a word such as now to each line to express a sense of change from one thing to another. At one moment, Ephraim is allied with one country. At the next moment, he is allied with another country.
Here are some other ways to express this sense of change:
First they call to Egypt for help. Then they run to Assyria. (New Century Version)
-or-
now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria. (New International Version)
-or-
fluttering back and forth between Egypt and Assyria (Contemporary English Version)
calling out…turning: In this context, the phrase calling out and the word turning both mean to request help. Specifically, calling out to Egypt and turning to Assyria probably indicate that Israel requested alliances with those wealthy and powerful countries. These alliances would ensure military and other assistance.
© 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.