Ephraim shall become a desolation …: Since Ephraim is another name for Israel, Good News Translation again renders both as “Israel” (see comments on 4.17 and 5.3). A translation that attempts to reflect the poetic structure of the receptor language will keep these parallel names. The Hebrew noun for desolation involves the idea of complete destruction, and horror or awe on the part of those involved. Jerusalem Bible renders shall become a desolation as “shall be laid waste,” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “will become a wilderness” (similarly Bible en français courant), and Traduction œcuménique de la Bible has “will become a ruin.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh emphasizes the horror, saying “is stricken with horror.” This noun is preceded by a preposition in Hebrew meaning “to/into.” This is a fairly common combination in prophetic literature. It marks a complete transformation into destruction.
In the day of punishment: The Hebrew word for punishment involves the idea of judgment, but with it is the idea of chastisement or correction, almost as if it is combined with training for better behavior afterward. However, the idea of judgment is primary. New International Version renders this phrase as “on the day of reckoning.” Good News Translation places this phrase at the beginning of the verse, giving the specific punishment last as a climax: “The day of punishment is coming, and Israel will be ruined.”
Among the tribes of Israel I declare what is sure: In these two lines the prophet affirms that what he says as a prophet is sure and dependable. The tribes of Israel refers to the ten tribes that composed the northern kingdom. Cultures have different ways of dividing the units within ethnic groups. In some cultures there are basically three: (1) the nuclear family, (2) the extended family, which is often called a “clan,” and (3) the tribe or nation as a whole. Though English translations typically refer to the “tribes” of Israel, in some cultures it will be more accurate to speak of the “clans,” since they all spoke the same language. The Hebrew preposition here is usually translated among. The prophet announced God’s message in the midst of the people. It is also possible (though less common) to translate the preposition as “about.” In that case Hosea is saying his prophecies about Israel will certainly be fulfilled; for example, De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling renders these two lines as “what I have announced about the tribes of Israel is unavoidable.” Good News Translation takes the focus off the prophet and emphasizes the result: “People of Israel, this will surely happen!” Another possible model is “I am the prophet who announces to the tribes of Israel what will surely happen.” It is possible that Yahweh is the speaker here. As stated in the introductory comments on this section, some translations assume that throughout 5.8-15 the LORD is the speaker. In this context one can notice how, when a true prophet speaks, there is often no distinction between whether the prophet or Yahweh is speaking. As we move into the following verses, it seems that Yahweh is more clearly the speaker. But in the mind of the people of those days, the two were often considered the same.
A translation model for this verse is:
• Ephraim will turn into a heap of rubble
when the day of reckoning comes.
What I have declared about the tribes of Israel
will certainly happen!
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 .