8:5a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

5a
He has rejected your calf, O Samaria.

5b
My anger burns against them.

8:5a

He has rejected your calf, O Samaria: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “he has rejected your calf Samaria.” This is a statement that the LORD has rejected the calf idol that the people of Samaria worshiped. For example:

“O Samaria, he has rejected your calf idol. (NET Bible)

(2) The LXX has “Reject your calf Samaria.” This is a command that the people of Samaria should reject their calf idol. For example:

Throw out your calf-idol, O Samaria! (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow textual option (1) along with most English versions and commentaries.

He: Many English versions use the pronoun “I” here, because it is not natural in English for someone to refer to himself using “he.” Translate this pronoun in a natural way in your language.

has rejected: This verb indicates strong dislike or disapproval.

Here are some ways to translate the phrase “he has rejected”:

he has rejected (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I have spurned (English Standard Version)

In some languages, it may be more natural to leave the pronoun implied. For example:

your calf-god is loathsome (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Your calf is rejected (New Revised Standard Version)

your calf: This phrase refers to an idol in the shape of a bull calf. It may have been made of wood and covered with a thin layer of gold. It probably refers specifically to the gold calf idol that was at Bethel. King Jeroboam I set up this idol for the people of the northern kingdom of Israel to worship (see 1 Kings 12:25–33).

O Samaria: Here the LORD, speaking through Hosea, addressed the people of Samaria directly. Some versions have added the word O to make it clear that O Samaria is a term of address (vocative). Use a vocative that is natural in your language when a person speaks to a group of people.

Samaria was the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel. In this context, the name Samaria is a figure of speech that represents the nation or people of Israel.

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

• Keep the name Samaria and add the meaning. For example:

O ⌊people of ⌋ Samaria, I have rejected your ⌊idol that is like a bull ⌋ calf.

• Translate the meaning of Samaria. For example:

You Israelites, I hate your ⌊gold ⌋ calf.

8:5b

My anger burns against them: In Hebrew, this line emphasizes that the LORD became very angry with the people of Israel because of their idolatry.

Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:

I am very angry with the people. (New Century Version)
-or-
I am furious with them. (Good News Translation)

them: This pronoun refers to the people of Israel. Since in 8:5a the LORD spoke directly to the people, it may be more natural in some languages to use a “you” pronoun here. For example:

My fury burns against you. (New Living Translation (2004))

8:5c

How long will they be incapable of innocence?: This is a rhetorical question. Its function is to express the LORD’s sorrow and frustration that the people of Israel will never be free from sin.

Here are some other ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• As a rhetorical question. Here are some other rhetorical questions with a similar meaning:

When will you ever be innocent again? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
How long must they remain guilty? (Revised English Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

I grieve that they cannot stop sinning!

innocence: This word refers to a person who does no wrong. That person is honest and free from guilt. In this context, the word may refer particularly to being innocent of idolatry. The Good News Translation makes that idea explicit:

How long will it be before they give up their idolatry? (Good News Translation)

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