In this verse the references to the people of Israel continue to be singular (Ephraim, his, him). Revised Standard Version keeps the singular references, while Good News Translation changes them to plural (“The people of Israel,” “they,” “their,” “them”), as was done in the previous verse. Translators are advised to handle the references to Israel consistently throughout the book.

Ephraim has given bitter provocation is literally “Ephraim has caused [him] to be angry [with] bitternesses,” which means the Israelites made the LORD very angry. Good News Translation says “The people of Israel have made the LORD bitterly angry,” which is a good English equivalent. Translators may use an expression that shows the kind of severe anger one would have if, after showing much kindness to a person, that person then turns against the one who did good. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “Ephraim gave bitter offense,” New American Bible has “Ephraim has exasperated his Lord,” and New International Version translates “But Ephraim has bitterly provoked him to anger.” Other options are “The people of Ephraim have seriously insulted their LORD” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch) and “How deeply has this people offended their LORD!” (De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling).

So his LORD will leave his bloodguilt upon him is literally “and his bloods upon him he will leave,” which means God will hold the Israelites accountable for the crimes they have committed. For clarity Revised Standard Version has moved his LORD from the next line to this one. However, the Hebrew word for LORD is not God’s personal name Yahweh, but the word meaning “master” or “boss,” so it should not be in small capital letters. It is very possible that this word carries with it a poetic reminder of the years when Jacob had to serve a “master.” But now that “master” is God himself.

In this context the Hebrew word for “bloods” refers to bloodguilt, the idea that one who committed murder is marked by blood and must repay by being killed in return. The plural “bloods” refers to many murders. Good News Translation‘s “they deserve death for their crimes” does not make clear that the crimes included murder. It does show that the penalty of death is still “deserved,” that is, Ephraim has not yet been punished.

And will turn back upon him his reproaches is literally “and his Lord will turn back to him his contempt,” which means the Lord will punish the Israelites for the contempt they have shown him. His reproaches can be understood as the evil things said about Yahweh by those people. These things can be taunts, scorn, or even slander. If the translator thinks about what the priests of Baal might have said about Yahweh to discourage people from worshiping their true God, they may be able to choose a good word for it. Jerusalem Bible says “his insults,” Revised English Bible has “his blasphemy,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh uses “his mockery.” Good News Translation renders this line well, saying “Their Lord will punish them for the disgrace they have brought upon him.”

A translation model for this verse is:

• The people of Ephraim have deeply offended their Lord.
He will hold them accountable for the blood they have spilt,
and he will pay them back for insulting him.

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 .