Not only does a new section begin here, but also a new image is introduced, that of a dove. So it is wise to begin a new paragraph or stanza here, as in Revised Standard Version. The Hebrew waw conjunction (literally “And”) at the beginning of this verse may be left untranslated (so Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation).

Ephraim is like a dove: Good News Translation continues to refer to Ephraim as “Israel” (see comments on 7.8). The dove is a bird with enough flesh to make it worth capturing and eating. Some of its negative features are in focus here, as is clear in the next line. The dove seems to be unable to decide which direction to go. It is easily deceived and does not have a sense of discernment.

Silly and without sense: The Hebrew word for silly is used of someone without wisdom, the simpleminded fool. Without sense is literally “without a heart,” reflecting the Hebrew concept that the “heart” is the organ of intelligence rather than the brain. In the receptor culture the connotations of “heart” may be different, while intelligence may reside in a different part of the body. “Foolish and brainless” is a pair of expressions that are equivalent. New English Bible says “silly senseless,” and New International Version has “easily deceived and senseless.” Good News Translation combines the two expressions into “silly,” adding “flits around” to relate this description of the dove to the foolish activities of Israel in the last line. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch renders the first two lines as “Ephraim is dumb as a dove.”

Calling to Egypt, going to Assyria: Typical of Israel’s foolishness is that they first call to Egypt in the southwest and then run for help to Assyria in the northeast (see 2 Kgs 17.1-6). These were the two opposing world powers in that period. The absence of the usual prepositions with the Hebrew verbs for calling and going makes this line very terse. Good News Translation provides a clear translation of the intended picture: “first her people call on Egypt for help, and then they run to Assyria!” New International Version says “now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria” (similarly New English Bible).

A translation model for this verse is:

• Ephraim is like a dove,
silly and senseless.
They call on Egypt,
they go to Assyria.

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 .