Paragraph 9:17
In this paragraph, Hosea prophesies about God’s response to the people’s disobedience. God will reject them and scatter them among the nations of the earth. These words are much like the curse in Deuteronomy 28:62–64.
9:17a
My God: Hosea says My God instead of God or “their God.” By using this phrase, Hosea may be indicating that he no longer considered the LORD to be the God of the people of Israel.
because: This word introduces the reason that the LORD will reject them. It is because they have not obeyed him. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.
they have not obeyed Him: The Hebrew clause here is more literally “they have not listened to him.” In this context the word “listen” implies “obey.”
Here are some other ways to translate this meaning:
they refused to listen to him (God’s Word)
-or-
Israel, you disobeyed my God. (Contemporary English Version)
9:17b
and they shall be wanderers among the nations: This verse part explains what will happen to the people when the LORD rejects them. They will be forced to leave their homeland of Israel. They will no longer own property there to pass on to their descendants. Instead they will live in other nations of the world and will not have their own permanent homeland.
wanderers: In Hebrew, this word refers to someone who flees, moves or wanders abroad.
Here are some other ways to translate it:
they will be fugitives among the nations (NET Bible)
-or-
Now he will force you to roam from nation to nation. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They will be wanderers, homeless among the nations. (New Living Translation (2004))
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