This verse speaks of the sins of Gilead and Gilgal. It seems possible that the two places are mentioned together because of their similar sounds. Translators should remember that, in Hebrew poetic lines, the second set of lines often makes the message more clear, more specific, or more intense. So what is said of Gilead in a general way becomes stronger and clearer when Gilgal is mentioned. This does not mean that Gilgal will suffer more than Gilead, but it is implied that similar things will happen to Gilead as well. Some modern translations try to make this clear with meaningful equivalents, while others simply choose more literal equivalents.

Gilead was an area on the east side of the Jordan River. During the time of Hosea it was known for its wickedness and bloodshed (see 6.8). Gilgal was a small town just west of the Jordan. It was the first place the Israelites entered during the conquest of the Promised Land. It later became a center of cultic and illegitimate worship (see 4.15; 9.15; see also Amos 4.4; 5.5).

If there is iniquity in Gilead: The Hebrew word for If can mean “Although” or even “Because.” Here it is better rendered “Because” or “Since.” The Hebrew word for iniquity can have several meanings. Three of these meanings fit this context:

(1) “Iniquity/injustice”: This sense fits the context. There is no doubt that iniquity existed in Gilead (see 6.8). Apart from that, iniquity can be seen as a generic explanation of the problem, while the parallel structure in the second half of the verse describes the explicit part, namely pagan sacrifices. Many versions opt for this sense (for example, Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, Contemporary English Version, New International Version).

(2) “Nothingness/deception”: New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh chooses this sense, saying “As for Gilead, it is worthless.” This translation forms a good parallel with the next line: “it shall come to nothing.”

(3) “False, idolatrous cult”: This sense is chosen by Good News Translation, which says “Yet idols are worshiped in Gilead.” NET Bible is similar with “Is there idolatry in Gilead?” Since the last lines of this verse talk about pagan worship in Gilgal, this option too suits the context well.

We advise translators to choose the option that suits the receptor culture best. The existence of other translations in the area where the receptor language is spoken may have an impact on the final decision.

They shall surely come to nought: The Hebrew word for nought refers to complete emptiness, lack of worth, no value, and this includes the idea of sinfulness, wrong, even death eventually. Good News Translation makes this last idea specific, saying “those … will die.” This Hebrew word has connotations of destruction. The pronoun they refers to the people of Israel, so they are the ones who will be destroyed.

If in Gilgal they sacrifice bulls is literally “in the Gilgal they sacrifice bulls.” Revised Standard Version adds the word if to introduce this line in the same way as the first line, since the messages against the two places are parallel.

They sacrifice bulls implies sacrificing these animals to other gods in Gilgal. Bijbel in Gewone Taal makes this explicit by saying “you offered sacrifices to the idols.” Revised English Bible has “sacrificed to bull-gods,” but the Hebrew text does not provide enough support for such a rendering. The Hebrew word for bulls is a general word for any mature bull or cow, but male cattle are in view here.

Their altars also shall be like stone heaps on the furrows of the field: The word also implies that this punishment will happen first in Gilead, even though it is not mentioned in the first two lines.

Altars were normally built of large stones made to fit together, and the top held the fire on which the sacrifice was burned (see comments on 8.11). This prophecy states that the stones would be torn apart and scattered in heaps on the fields where crops should be planted. The fields were plowed with furrows into which seeds would normally be planted for growing crops. With the altar stones filling those spaces, no crops could be planted. This then was to be part of the punishment for idol worship. So it is clear that the field refers to agricultural land. For the furrows of the field, see 10.4.

The text does not say who will tear the stone altars apart. We must assume that an enemy host will invade and do these things. However, this is not mentioned in the Hebrew text.

A translation model for this verse is:

• Since there is wickedness in Gilead,
its people will be wiped out.
They sacrifice bulls in Gilgal,
so their altars will also become stone heaps
scattered on the farmlands.

Quoted with permission from Dorn, Louis & van Steenbergen, Gerrit. A Handbook on Hosea. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2020. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .