SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021 – Page 15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 5:4

5:4a

Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God: This clause is a figure of speech (personification). It describes evil deeds as if they have the ability to control a person.

Here are some ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the figure of speech. This is the best option if the figure is natural in your language and people will understand the meaning correctly. For example:

Their wicked deeds do not allow them to return to their God. (NET Bible)

• Translate the meaning without using the figure of speech. This is a good option if the figure of speech is unnatural or confusing in your language. For example:

They will not give up their deeds and return to their God. (New Century Version)
-or-
Your evil deeds are the reason you won’t return to me (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They do not want to stop doing evil, so they are not able to return to their God.

deeds: The word deeds refers here to the evil things that people do.

5:4b

for a spirit of prostitution is within them: This clause means that their thoughts and decisions are motivated by their strong desire to be immoral and to worship idols.

spirit of prostitution: See the note on spirit of prostitution in 4:12c.

is within them: This phrase refers to attitudes and thoughts. Some languages use a body organ, such as the liver, to signify attitudes and thoughts. Use an expression that is natural in your language for this purpose.

Here is another way to translate this line:

A spirit of prostitution is in their heart (New International Version)

5:4c

and they do not know the LORD: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “the LORD they do not know.” It means that they do not know the LORD or have a relationship with him. They do not know what the LORD wants his people to do. It is implied that they do not acknowledge his authority or obey him. See the note on “no knowledge of God” in 4:1d, where it probably has the same meaning.

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 7:10

Paragraph 7:10

7:10a

Israel’s arrogance testifies against them: This clause is identical to 5:5a. See the notes there.

7:10b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

10b yet they do not return to the LORD their God

10c despite all this, they do not seek Him.

Both lines describe the result of Israel’s arrogance.

7:10b

yet: In Hebrew, there is no word here that means yet. However, the context indicates that the statement that follows contrasts with the previous statements. The Berean Standard Bible and most versions supply the word yet or “but” to indicate this contrast. For example:

but even after all this (God’s Word)
-or-
yet they do not return (New Revised Standard Version)

return to the LORD their God: This phrase means to repent of sin and do what God approves.

7:10c

despite all this: This phrase indicates a concessive idea. Although Israel’s deteriorating circumstances should motivate the people to turn to God, nevertheless they do not do that.

Here are some other ways to express this idea:

even after all this (God’s Word)
-or-
In spite of everything that has happened (Good News Translation)

all this: These words probably refer back to 7:8–10a: Israel’s ruined condition, their weakness, and the pride that kept them from perceiving or acknowledging these things.

they do not seek Him: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as they do not seek Him means to earnestly desire the LORD, his promises, and his requirements. For more information, see the note on “return and seek the LORD their God” in 3:5a and the note on “turn back to me…they will look for me” in 5:15b–c.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 9:12

9:12a

Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one: This clause continues the description of Israel’s punishment from 9:11b. This is a conditional clause. When the condition, they raise their children, is true, the result is that the LORD will bereave them of every one.

This clause is probably a figure of speech that adds emphasis to the previous statement in 9:11b. It indicates how complete and serious the punishment from the LORD will be. Verse 9:11b says that no more children will be born. This verse part, 9:12a, describes an imagined situation in which someone was still able to give birth to and raise children. Even if that could happen, the LORD would take them away.

I will bereave them of each one: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “and I will bereave them from everyone/man.” The words I will bereave them mean to make them childless or to make them miscarry. However, there are different interpretations of the meaning of the entire clause, “I will bereave them from everyone/man”:

(1) This clause means that every child will die. For example:

I will bereave them until no one is left. (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) This clause means that there will be no future generations. The population will dwindle until Israel ceases to be a nation. For example:

I will make them childless, without posterity. (Revised English Bible)

(3) This clause means that the children will never grow up to become adults. It refers to children that will die while still young. For example:

I shall take them away before they grow up! (New Jerusalem Bible)

(God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries.

9:12b

Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them!: In this clause, the LORD announces that the people will soon experience terrible sorrow. He will abandon them. This will fulfill the warning he gave them through Hosea in chapter 5:6, 15. He will no longer be their God. He will no longer protect and guide them.

woe be to them: See the note on this expression for 7:13a. Here the Hebrew clause begins with two particles that give strong emphasis to the clause. The Berean Standard Bible shows emphasis here by using an exclamation mark. The New Revised Standard Version does this also and adds an emphasis word: “Woe to them indeed…!.” Show this emphasis in a natural way in your language.

Some languages may not have a word similar to woe.

Here are some other ways to translate this warning:

Yes, how horrible it will be for them when I leave them. (God’s Word)
-or-
It will be a terrible day when I turn away and leave you alone. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 11:12

Section 11:12–12:14

Israel is deceitful and refuses to return to the LORD

In this section, the LORD accuses both Israel and Judah of wrongdoing, but then focuses on the wicked behavior of Israel (11:12–12:1). Hosea continues to describe Israel, giving examples from the life of their ancestor Jacob to show that Israel followed his bad behavior (12:2–8). The LORD then reminded the people how they had responded wickedly when he led them in the past (12:9–11). Hosea concludes this section by comparing Jacob’s care of sheep in Aram with the LORD’s care of his people through a prophet or prophets.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Israel’s Sin (New International Version)
-or-
Israel and Judah Are Condemned (Good News Translation)

Paragraph 11:12–12:1

In this paragraph, the LORD brings charges against both Israel and Judah. The statements here are similar to opening remarks made by a prosecutor in a court case. Some versions use headings that correspond to such a context.

Here are some examples of other headings:

God’s Lawsuit against Israel: Breach of Covenant (NET Bible)
-or-
Charges against Israel and Judah (New Living Translation (2004))

In the Masoretic Text, the first verse of Hosea chapter 12 begins here. The Notes and Display will follow the majority of English versions that regard this verse as Hosea 11:12.

11:12

This verse has similarities to 11:9c–d. Both verses use a less common Hebrew term for God and both refer to God as “Holy One.” 11:9c–d describes the holy God in the midst of people. 11:12 uses a similar description. It is not a happy picture of a father surrounded by his loving children. Rather it is a picture of someone encircled by hostile enemies, who attack him with lies and deception.

11:12a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

12a
Ephraim surrounds Me with lies,

12b
the house of Israel with deceit;

There is an ellipsis in the second line. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from the first line. For example:

12b
the house of Israel ⌊surrounds me ⌋ with deceit.

These lines are metaphors that compare the people of Israel to an enemy army that surrounds a person or a city. The lies and deceit of the people are like the weapons of the enemy.

Ephraim…house of Israel: Both of these terms refer to the people of Israel. (See 4:17a “Ephraim” and 1:6c “the house of Israel”). See the General Comment on 11:12a–b for translation options.

surrounds Me: This figurative phrase was probably well known to Hosea’s audience because of Psalms that use it in a similar way. Here, the pronoun Me refers to the LORD.

lies…deceit: In Hebrew, these two words have similar meanings. The word for lies means “evasion of truth.” The word for deceit means “deceive,” “mislead.” It describes speech and behavior that intends to mislead, such as a merchant using inaccurate scales.

General Comment on 11:12a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine some of the parallel parts. For example:

Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit (New Living Translation (2004))

11:12c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

12c but Judah still walks with God

12d and is faithful to the Holy One.

In Hebrew, these lines are more literally “and/but Judah still it has roamed with God and with [the] holy [one(s)] faithful.” There are two main interpretations of this verse part:

(1) These lines say that Judah remains faithful to God. The meaning of the word “roamed” is “follow.” The people of Judah continue to follow God. The word “faithful” refers to Judah. For example:

But Judah still roams about with God; he remains faithful to the Holy One. (NET Bible)

(2) These lines say that Judah wanders from God who is faithful. The meaning of the word “roamed” is “wander restlessly.” The word “faithful” refers to God. For example:

and the people of Judah are still rebelling against me, the faithful and holy God. (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). At the time of Hosea, Judah was not yet as rebellious against God as Israel.

11:12c

but Judah still walks with God: This line and 11:12d contrast the people of the southern kingdom of Judah with those of the northern kingdom of Israel. The people of Israel surrounded God with lies and deceit, but Judah continued to follow God.

still: The word still refers to something that continues. Here it indicates the continuation of a past or present event.

walks: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as walks, means “to roam about freely” or “to wander.” The meaning can be positive or negative. Here the word is used in a positive way. See the interpretations above.

with: The Hebrew word has meanings such as with, “beside,” “by,” or “accompanying.” It is commonly used of a close relationship.

God: Here the Hebrew word for God is el and not YHWH. This is the same word as in 11:9c. Some versions translate el as God instead of “LORD.” Use your general term for God here.

11:12d

faithful: The Hebrew word means “to prove to be firm, reliable, faithful.” The word commonly applies to trust in God.

the Holy One: This term is more literally “and with holy [ones].” The term Holy One is also in 11:9. See 11:9d “the Holy One among you.” In 11:9 the word is singular. Here it is plural. It is probably an honorific plural, also called a plural of majesty. The term refers to God in both verses.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:2

14:2

In this verse, Hosea explains how the people should return to the LORD. He offers a model prayer. It shows that a true return requires humility and sincere words.

14:2a

Bring your confessions and return to the LORD: According to OT teaching, people took an offering to God when they came to him. See Exodus 23:15; 34:20. The usual offering was an animal. Here, however, Hosea told them to take an offering of their words instead of an animal.

The words they should offer are the words that Hosea tells them to say to the LORD in the rest of this verse and in 14:3.

Some versions make clearer what words Hosea refers to here. For example:

Come back to the Lord and say these words to him: “Take away all our sin and kindly receive us…. (New Century Version)
-or-
Come back to the Lord with your words of confession (Revised English Bible)

14:2b

The Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures has been used as the source line for 2b–c because it follows the recommended interpretations.

(Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures) Say to him: “Forgive all guilt and accept what is good: In this clause Hosea tells the people how to begin their prayer.

Forgive all guilt:
The word Forgive means to “take away guilt.” For information on the word guilt see the note in Hosea 13:12 on “guilt…sins.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

Take away all iniquity (English Standard Version)
-or-
Forgive all our sins (New Living Translation (2004))

And accept what is good: There is a textual issue regarding the Hebrew word that the Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures translates as what is good.

(1) The Hebrew word is: good. For example:

accept what is good (English Standard Version)

(2) The Hebrew word is: “word/speech.” For example:

accept our prayer (Good News Translation)

#(3) The Hebrew word is: “graciously.” For example:

and graciously receive us (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It has the best support from lexicons. However, in this context, the phrase what is good refers to words of confession and repentance in prayer. For that reason option (2) is also acceptable.

14:2c

(Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures) instead of bulls we will pay [the offering of] our lips: The Hebrew clause is more literally “so that (or: and) we may pay bulls our lips.” There is a textual issue concerning the Hebrew word for bulls :

(1) The Hebrew MT has bulls. For example:

Accept our good sacrifices of praise instead of bulls. (Contemporary English Version)
#
(2) The LXX has “fruit.” For example:

accept that which is good and we will offer the fruit of our lips (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with the majority of versions. It is similar to the first part of the verse in which Hosea urges the people to take their words of repentance to the LORD.

There are two acceptable ways to understand the connection of this clause to the preceding one:

• This clause explains the phrase “what is good” in the preceding clause The offering of praise from our lips is what is good. For example:

Accept what is good, namely the praise of our lips as equal to an offering of bulls.

• This clause gives the result of what is said in the preceding clause. God’s acceptance of our prayer of repentance allows us to offer praise as a result. For example:

Accept our penitential prayer, that we may offer the praise of our lips as sacrificial bulls. (NET Bible)

we will pay [the offering of] our lips: Here the Hebrew word for pay means to make a payment to fulfill a vow. The words the offering of are not in the Hebrew text but they are implied by the reference to bulls.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

we may offer you the sacrifice of praise (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
we will dedicate to you our lips. (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 1:9

1:9a

Name him Lo-ammi: The literal meaning of the Hebrew name Lo-ammi is “Not my people.” It is important that your translation communicates the meaning of the name to your readers. If possible, use the same method to express the meaning of Lo-ammi as you used to express the meaning of Lo-ruhamah in 1:6b.

1:9b

for: This word introduces the reason that the LORD told Hosea to name his child Lo-ammi. Most English versions translate it as for or “because.” Some versions leave this connection implied. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.

you are not My people: This is the reason that the LORD told Hosea to name his son Lo-ammi. The name will indicate to the people of Israel that the LORD will no longer regard them as his people.

The pronoun you here is plural. Although God was speaking to Hosea, the plural pronoun indicates that these words referred to the people of Israel. If it is confusing to use a plural you pronoun, you may need to change the wording to make it clear that this clause refers to a group of people. For example:

because the people of Israel are not my people (Good News Translation)
-or-
because you, the people of Israel, are not my people

and I am not your God: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “and I, I will not be to you(plur).” The word God is not in the Hebrew, but it is clearly implied. It is recommended that you make it explicit, as in most English versions.

If you translated the previous phrase “you are not my people” similarly to the Good News Translation, it is suggested that you follow a similar approach here. For example:

and I am not their God (Good News Translation)

In some languages, a phrase such as your God may imply “God belongs to you.” If that is true in your language, you may need to express the meaning of this phrase in a different way. For example:

I am no longer the God whom you worship/serve.

If you have a section heading between this verse and 1:10, you will need to decide whether to use a closed quote mark at the end of the LORD’s words. Some versions do, others do not. The meaning lines in the Display will use closed quote marks.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 4:2

4:2a–b

Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery: These are five specific examples of the sins that the people had committed. These five sins are forbidden in the Ten Commandments. If you already translated the Ten Commandments in a different book of the Bible, you should translate these five sins in a similar way here.

The statement in 4:2a–b indicates that people frequently committed sins like these. It does not indicate that people committed only these sins.

Here are some other ways to translate this statement:

You curse and lie and kill and steal and commit adultery. (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
There is cursing, lying, murdering, stealing, and adultery. (God’s Word)
-or-
Cursing, dishonesty, murder, robbery, unfaithfulness—these happen all the time. (Contemporary English Version)

4:2a

Cursing: The commandment against cursing is in Exodus 20:7 and Deuteronomy 5:11. Here Cursing probably means to put curses on people using God’s name as part of the curse. It does not mean to use profane or vulgar words, a common meaning of “cursing” in English.

Some English versions use expressions that refer to making a false promise. But making a false promise is also a type of lying. Since lying is the next sin listed in this verse, you should translate “cursing” in a way that clearly shows the difference between it and lying.

lying: The commandment against lying is in Exodus 20:16 and Deuteronomy 5:20. Here lying means to be dishonest in ways that are harmful to other people. This meaning includes deceiving people in order to cheat them and giving false testimony in a legal case.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

dishonesty (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
deception (New American Standard Bible)

murder: The commandment against murder is in Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17. In this context, murder refers to killing a person illegally. It does not refer to executing a criminal or killing an enemy soldier in battle. The word can refer to killing a person either intentionally or accidentally.

4:2b

stealing: The commandment against stealing is in Exodus 20:15 and Deuteronomy 5:19.

adultery: The commandment against adultery is in Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18.

4:2c

are rampant: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as are rampant is literally “they have broken out.” It refers figuratively here to breaking through “moral barriers and restraints.”

There are two main ways to interpret the meaning of the verb and what it refers to:

(1) The verb means that the five sins listed in 4:2a–b have greatly increased. It implies that people commit these sins everywhere in the land. For example:

Swearing, lying, and murder, and stealing and adultery break out (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) The verb means that violence has greatly increased. It implies that people commit violent crimes everywhere in the land. For example:

You make vows and break them; you kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere— (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most English versions.

Here is another way to translate 4:2a–c:

Cursing, lying, killing, stealing and adultery are everywhere. (New Century Version)

In some languages, it may be more natural to use a general term for the five sins. For example:

crimes increase (Good News Translation)
-or-
People break ⌊my laws ⌋ (God’s Word)

4:2d

one act of bloodshed follows another: This clause is a continuation of interpretation (1) in 4:2c. It focuses on repeated crimes that involve bloodshed in addition to the five sins that “are rampant” (4:2a–c). It means that murders and similar bloody crimes occur one after another.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and there is one murder after another (Good News Translation)
-or-
One murder follows another. (New Century Version)

Most versions that follow this interpretation translate this clause with a word such as bloodshed or “murder,” a specific kind of bloodshed. If your language has an expression that refers to bloody crimes in general, you may want to use it here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 5:15

5:15a

Then I will return to My place: In Hebrew, the word Then does not occur here. The Berean Standard Bible and some other versions have supplied it to introduce the next event. The word Then makes explicit that this event happens after the LORD completes the judgment of 5:14. Some versions leave this sequence implied. For example:

I will return again to my place (English Standard Version)

Indicate this sequence of events in a natural way in your language.

I will return to My place: This clause concludes the figure of speech in which the LORD compares himself to a lion. A lion returns to its “lair” (NET Bible) after killing its prey. Similarly, the LORD will return to his place in heaven after he punishes Israel and Judah. Since this clause does not continue to use figurative terms about a lion, it may be better to translate the term My place in a way that does not refer specifically to a lion’s den.

Here are some ways to translate My place :

• Use a general term that can refer to either the dwelling place of a lion or of the LORD. For example:

my place (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the place where I live/stay

• Use a specific term that refers to the dwelling place of the LORD. For example:

my home ⌊in heaven ⌋

• Translate the meaning without referring to a place. For example:

I will abandon my people (Good News Translation)

5:15b–c

The New Century Version has been used as the source line for 5:15b–c, because it follows the recommended interpretation and sentence structure. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

15b until they suffer for their guilt and turn back to me. (New Century Version)

15c In their trouble they will look for me. (New Century Version)

(New Century Version) until: This word introduces the event that will end the time of the LORD’s withdrawal from the people of Israel and Judah. In some languages, it may be helpful to make some of this information explicit. For example:

I will go back to my place. ⌊I will remain there ⌋ until…

(New Century Version) they suffer for their guilt: In this context, there are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the New Century Version translates as they suffer for their guilt :

(1) It means “to bear the consequences of guilt or sin.” For example:

I will abandon my people (Good News Translation)

(Good News Translation, New American Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible)

(2) It means “to acknowledge that they are guilty of sin.” For example:

I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face. (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most lexicons and commentaries. However, most versions follow interpretation (2), so it is suggested that you give this interpretation in a footnote.

Here are some reasons to follow interpretation (1):

(a) This word is not translated as “admit/acknowledge guilt” elsewhere in the Old Testament.

(b) This word occurs elsewhere in Hosea with the sense “bear the consequences of guilt.” See 10:2 and 13:16.

(c) This sense fits the message of Hosea very well. In the preceding chapters the people have been informed repeatedly of the nature of their sin. The LORD has also warned them repeatedly that he was going to punish them.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

until they have suffered their punishment (NET Bible)
-or-
until they have borne the consequences of their sin

(New Century Version) In their trouble: This phrase is parallel to the clause “they suffer for their guilt.” These parallel ideas both refer to the suffering of the people of Israel and Judah. Their suffering is a result of the LORD’s judgment against them. See 5:12–14.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in their misery (New International Version)
-or-
in their suffering (Good News Translation)

(New Century Version) turn back to me…they will look for me: These statements are more literally:

they will seek my face…they will earnestly seek me (New International Version)

These parallel statements refer to a time when the people will turn to the LORD to follow him. They will earnestly desire to worship and serve him. For more information on what it means to “seek the LORD,” see the note on 3:5a.

The meaning of the second term is more intense or emphatic than the first, as is often the case in Hebrew poetry.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

search diligently for me (Revised English Bible)
-or-
seek me eagerly (New Jerusalem Bible)

(New Century Version) me…me: The first word is literally “my face” in Hebrew. It is a figurative way to say me.

General Comment on 5:15b–c

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. For example:

until they have suffered for their sin and they finally seek me earnestly.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 5:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 7:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 9:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 11:12

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 1:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 4:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 5:15

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