In this verse God is not speaking directly to the people of Israel but is speaking about them. It is as though Yahweh is turning away from them, because of their transgressions described in the previous verses.

The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up, his sin is kept in store: These two parallel lines are in typical Hebrew poetic style, the second line adding a further comment to the statement of the first line. Good News Translation combines the two lines, repeating the idea of “record.”

For Ephraim, which refers to the northern kingdom of Israel, see the comments on 4.17.

Iniquity and sin render words commonly used in the Hebrew (see comments on 8.13). The word for iniquity can emphasize the lasting mark upon the sinner and his conscience, and the “guilt” that the sinner carries with him. However, the idea of guilt is not the primary focus in this context, but rather the breach of the covenant with Yahweh. The word for sin refers to the wrongful deed itself. These terms are often used together, especially in parallel structures, since they refer to the same thing. NET Bible translates both terms as “punishment.” This is not recommended in this context, since the text clearly refers to recording and storing the various transgressions that have been described in the preceding verses. The translation “guilt” (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) for the first term is not recommended for the same reason.

The Hebrew verb rendered bound up refers to tying things together in a bundle, and in this case we think of written records, such as scrolls, on which the evil deeds are recorded. New American Bible says “wrapped up.” The Hebrew verb for kept in store (Good News Translation “safely stored away”) usually refers to what a person does with a treasure. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates these two verbs as “noted” (in the sense of a written note) and “registered” (like a document listed and stored away). New International Version has “stored up … kept on record.” This verse is therefore a warning that Yahweh will not forget the evil things that have been done, but that there will be a time of judgment when these records will be opened.

A translation model for this verse is:

• Ephraim’s wickedness is recorded,
his sin is kept on record in a safe place.

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 .