In verses 7-8 various wild animals are mentioned as pictures of how Yahweh will respond to people who turn away from him after he has been so good to them. Using such animals as images for divine judgment is not uncommon (see, for example, 5.14).

So renders the Hebrew waw conjunction (literally “And”). Here it introduces the consequence of the Israelites’ sinful behavior: the judgment from Yahweh.

I will be to them like a lion, like a leopard I will lurk beside the way: These two lines show a new and fearsome relationship between Yahweh and his people. Some scholars believe that the Hebrew word for I will be is a play on words with the name of God. “I am who I am” (Yahweh) is revised to I will be.

Translators probably have words for lion and leopard. Not only do these animals hunt other animals for food, but they are a danger to humans as well. The Hebrew word for lion refers to a male lion, possibly a wandering male lion, rather than a male lion that is a member of a pride. Some translations use “panther” for leopard, but this probably is the common name for such an animal in that place.

The Hebrew verb for lurk is often applied to the work of a watchman who guards people during the night. But here it is a leopard who watches and waits for some victim to pass by. Some scholars note correctly that the verb may also mean “attack,” but the image of a dangerous animal watching and waiting seems more appropriate, and the next verse then speaks of the attack itself.

Beside the way (Good News Translation “along your path”) may refer to a path often used safely by people, or it may be a new path, away from any protection.

A translation model for this verse is:

• So I will be to you like a male lion,
like a leopard in ambush along the way.

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 .