Several Hebrew idioms are used in this verse, whose precise meaning is not completely clear. However, it is clear that Hosea tells the woman that she must wait for him for a long time, and that for this period he also will wait. In other words, she will not be treated according to expectations. Money has been spent to either buy or hire her, but then the prophet acts contrary to what would have been natural under these circumstances. This symbolizes the way Yahweh acts toward his people.

And I said to her: This quote frame introduces what Hosea said to the woman. The quotation ends at the end of this verse. Good News Translation uses indirect discourse here, which makes for a less interesting style in most languages.

You must dwell as mine is literally “you must sit [or, dwell] for me.” Hosea tells the woman to sit at home and wait. If she were a new bride, she would be at her parents’ home, waiting for the bridegroom. Since she may have been a slave, she most likely remained in Hosea’s home, for she would no longer be in her former house. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch (1982) renders this phrase as “you will stay with me now,” and Bible en français courant has “you will stay at my home.” In any case, it is proper to make explicit the idea of waiting for Hosea “at home.”

The Hebrew phrase rendered for many days does not specify how long the time would be, but the context shows that it would be long enough to cause her some emotional discomfort. If a literal translation of many days in the receptor language gives the impression that it is only a matter of days, it is better to avoid it. Good News Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch say “a long time,” and New English Bible has “Many a long day.” Other translations also indicate an unspecified length of time.

You shall not play the harlot renders a negative particle and a single verb in Hebrew, for which English has no acceptable equivalent verb (see comments on 2.5). Good News Translation has “without being a prostitute.”

Or belong to another man translates a Hebrew idiom with a wide range of possible meanings, including that of marriage or of improper relations with a man. Here it functions to cut off any possible relations with men other than Hosea. Good News Translation says “or committing adultery,” which is a valid rendering.

Hosea wants the woman’s behavior to be in sharp contrast with her previous life of adultery and prostitution. It is not specified and apparently not relevant whether this sexual prohibition is to serve as a period of purification, or of punishment and discipline, or if it is to cause her to develop a yearning for the man who bought her.

So will I also be to you: The Hebrew here can be interpreted in two ways. It can mean the prophet will act in the same way to her, that is, he will not have sexual relationships with her. It can also mean that Hosea will likewise keep himself pure from involvement with other women as he also waits during this time. He is not laying a burden upon her that he does not lay upon himself as well. He is not only encouraging her to be faithful, but he is also promising his own dedication to no one but to her. This interpretation seems less likely. It would suggest that under normal circumstances Hosea would not restrict himself in this way and be involved with other women.

A translation model for this verse is:

• Then I said to her, “You have to stay in my house for a long time without being allowed to prostitute yourself or be with another man. And I will also not sleep with you.”

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 .