In this verse three similes are used: (1) the LORD will be like dew; (2) the Israelites will blossom like a lily; and (3) their roots will be like the trees of Lebanon. These figures depict abundance and prosperity.
The pronouns referring to the people switch from third plural in the previous verse to third singular in this one (he), as is often the case in Hosea. Good News Translation uses plural in both verses to enhance clarity. In most languages this will be the best solution.
I will be as the dew to Israel: This verse stands in sharp contrast with 13.15, which speaks of the dry desert wind. Here Yahweh promises to be like dew to the people, so that things can grow fresh and green again. Even if there is no rain, the morning dew often provides enough moisture that plants are able to grow properly. The figure of dew also occurs in 6.4 and 13.3, where it is used to illustrate the short-lived nature of Israel’s commitment to the LORD. However, in this context it illustrates the LORD’s life-giving and caring presence with Israel. If the image of dew is unclear in the receptor language, it may be helpful to add a qualifier, for example, “refreshing dew” (New Living Translation). In some languages it may be necessary to use nonfigurative language; for example, Bijbel in Gewone Taal says “I will give the Israelites new strength.” Such a translation clearly loses a lot of the original text’s poetic beauty and impact. Good News Translation‘s “I will be to the people of Israel like rain in a dry land” changes the simile somewhat. Falling rain is clearly visible. Dew is barely visible, but there is enough moisture to make plants grow.
Israel refers to its people. It is pictured here, not as the farmer, but as the plant itself: he shall blossom as the lily. Most translators may be able to copy the Hebrew form by referring to all Israel as he, but some may need to use plural pronouns, as in Good News Translation with “They.”
The Hebrew word for lily probably refers to the white lily. This plant can grow to 1.5 meters (5 feet) in height. It has an erect stem with long narrow leaves. It has cone-shaped white flowers. If no equivalent exists in the receptor language, translators may opt for a generic term, such as “flowers” (Good News Translation). A local equivalent can also be used by saying “flowers like….” However, such a rendering becomes a bit wordy in a poetic context.
He shall strike root as the poplar: The Hebrew verb for strike usually refers to striking a blow, as with a sword or spear, to harm someone (see 6.1). This is clearly not its meaning here with the noun root as its object. New International Version translates “send down his roots,” New Jerusalem Bible says “thrust out roots,” and English Standard Version has “take root.” The receptor language may have an idiomatic expression for growing roots. The figurative phrase strike root depicts firmness and durability. Good News Translation makes this explicit by translating “firmly rooted.” Contemporary English Version loses some of the impact of this image by saying simply “have roots like a tree.”
Like the poplar renders an emended Hebrew text. The original text has “like the Lebanon,” which Hebrew Old Testament Text Project strongly recommends (an {A} decision). “Lebanon” refers to a mountain range north of Palestine and was famous for its forests of cedar trees. The people of Israel would immediately picture the mountains of Lebanon covered with large, strong, firmly-rooted cedar trees. (The mountains of Lebanon can be clearly seen from many places in northern Israel.) The figure of Lebanon’s cedar trees is used elsewhere in the Old Testament, for example, Psa 104.16 and Isa 2.13. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project suggests “like Lebanon” or “like on Lebanon.” If such a literal translation will be meaningless to the reader, Good News Translation‘s “like the trees of Lebanon” is a useful alternate translation. Similar renderings are “like the Lebanon cedar” (New American Bible), “Like a cedar of Lebanon” (New International Version), and “like a Lebanon tree” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).
A translation model for this verse is:
• I will be like dew to the people of Israel.
They will blossom like the lilies,
and root firmly like the trees of Lebanon.
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 .