Paragraph 12:9–11

In this paragraph, the LORD reminded Israel that he was still their God. He reviewed how he led them in the past. Nevertheless, Israel responded with wickedness. The LORD used Gilead and Gilgal as examples of that wickedness.

12:9

This verse gives the LORD’s response to Ephraim’s boast in 12:8. He tells them what he will do as a result of the behavior that they boast about. He will make them return to living in tents.

A return to living in tents is a judgment in which the Israelites lose their homes and wealth. However, it is also a time of correction and restoration of their relationship with God. It is in the wilderness that God established his relationship with them the first time, and he will now do so again. See Hosea 2:8–20.

In Hebrew, this verse begins with a word that connects it to the previous verse. In many other places, this word is translated as “and” or “but.” For example:

But I am the Lord your God (New Century Version)

Many versions, however, leave the connection of this verse to the previous one implied. Use a natural way in your language to indicate the connection of this verse to 12:8.

12:9a

But I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt: In this clause, the LORD declares who he is and what he did in Israel’s past. His words imply at least two things:

(a) The LORD is ruler over Israel.

(b) The LORD is the true source of Israel’s wealth.

In Hebrew, this clause is “I Yahweh [am/have-been] your God since/from the land of Egypt.” There are two main interpretations concerning the phrase “since/from the land of Egypt:”

(1) The phrase refers to location. It refers to the exodus from Egypt. The phrase is a shortened form of the full declaration that occurs elsewhere in the OT: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” For example, Exod. 20:2; Deut. 5:6. With this declaration, the LORD reminds the people who their God is. He is the all-powerful God, their heavenly king, rescuer, and benefactor. For example:

But I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) The phrase refers to time. It refers to the time the people lived in Egypt or the time of the exodus from Egypt. With this declaration the LORD reminds the people how long he has been their God: from the time they lived in Egypt up to that current time. For example:

Israel, I, the Lord, am still your God, just as I have been since the time you were in Egypt (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has good support from modern versions and also from the LXX and the Peshitta. However, interpretation (2) also makes sense and is acceptable. Either interpretation can imply the other one.

12:9b

I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast: In this clause, the LORD tells what he will do in response to the behavior Ephraim boasts about in 12:8. He will make them live in tents again.

The word again indicates repetition of a past event. Here the event is when the people lived in tents following the exodus from Egypt.

There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as appointed feast :

(1) The Hebrew word refers to the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles. This was the feast held in autumn, in which the people celebrated the ingathering of crops. During the time of the celebration, the people lived in temporary shelters. It reminded the people of the time when their ancestors lived in tents in the wilderness, after he brought them out of Egypt. See Leviticus 23:42–43. For example:

as in the days of the appointed feast (English Standard Version)

(2) The Hebrew word refers to the Tabernacle/Tent of Meeting. The Tabernacle is the tent in which the LORD was present with the people after he brought them out of Egypt. It was also the place where they came to worship him at that time. For example:

I shall make you live in tents yet again, as in the days of the Tent of Meeting. (Revised English Bible)

Some versions imply the tent of meeting using different words. For example:

I will make you live in tents again, as you did when I came to you in the desert. (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has the majority support of modern versions as well as from the LXX and the Peshitta. Interpretation (2), however, is also acceptable. Both interpretations refer to the time of exodus. Interpretation (1) does so indirectly, by comparing living in tents to the Feast of Booths. That Feast, in turn, reminds them of the time of the exodus. Interpretation (2) directly compares living in tents to the time of the exodus.

© 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

2:7a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

7a
She will pursue her lovers but not catch them;

7b
she will seek them but not find them.

The underlined parts indicate the woman’s persistence in trying to have sex with her lovers. The parts in italics indicate the failure of her efforts.

2:7a

She will pursue her lovers but not catch them: This verse describes what the woman will do after her husband has figuratively enclosed her with a wall of thornbushes. In Hebrew, a conjunction is used at the start of this verse to introduce the woman’s action. Some versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, do not translate this conjunction explicitly. Other versions use an explicit conjunction. For example:

then if she chases her lovers she will not catch them (New Jerusalem Bible)

Use a natural word or phrase in your language to introduce the next thing that will happen.

but not catch them: This phrase describes an intended result that will not happen. The woman will try to catch her lovers, but she will not succeed.

Here is another way to express this relationship:

Though she pursues her lovers, she will not overtake them (Revised English Bible)

This line has a similar meaning to 2:5c. It refers to the woman’s persistent efforts to go and have sex with other men. In some languages, a literal translation may wrongly imply that the lovers are trying to run away or that the woman cannot run fast enough to catch them. Use an expression in your language that gives the right meaning. For example:

Then, although she keeps trying to go and have sex with other men, she will not succeed.

If it is inappropriate to refer directly to having sex, use an acceptable euphemism in your language. For example:

sleep with other men

2:7b

she will seek them but not find them: This line is very similar in meaning to 2:7a. It describes the woman’s persistent searching for her lovers. In some languages, a literal translation may wrongly imply that the lovers are lost and that the woman is trying to find them. The correct meaning is that she tries hard to find opportunities to have sex with them. For example:

she will look carefully/diligently for opportunities to go and meet with her lovers.

General Comment on 2:7a–b

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

Then, her repeated efforts to go and sleep with other men will not succeed.

2:7c

Then she will say, ‘I will return: See the note on the direct quote in 2:5c. In some languages, it may be more natural to use indirect speech. For example:

Then she will say ⌊to herself ⌋ that she will return to her first husband…
-or-
Then she will decide to go back to her first husband…

Then: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible and some other versions translate as Then introduces the woman’s next action or decision. Here is another way to translate this:

At last (Revised English Bible)

I will return: This phrase emphasizes her deliberate, willful intention to return. It contrasts with her willful intention to be unfaithful in 2:5c.

to my first husband: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “to my man/husband the original/former.” It refers to the woman’s true, original husband in contrast to the many men she had slept with since she first got married.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

to my husband as at first (New International Version)

The word first does not imply that she had actually married other men. Some versions leave first implied to avoid implying this wrong meaning. For example:

my husband (NET Bible)

Translate this verse part in a way that clearly refers to Gomer’s/Israel’s intention to return to Hosea/the LORD.

2:7d

for: This word introduces the reason that she will decide to return to her husband. Some versions leave it implied. Use a natural way in your language to introduce a reason. See the note on 2:4b.

then I was better off than now: The word then indicates the time in her past when she lived with her husband. Her memory of that better time was the reason she decided to return to her husband.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

it was better for me then than now (English Standard Version)
-or-
my life with him was better than my life now

© 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

Section 4:11b–19

The Sinful People

This section shows how much the people of Israel were committed to sexual sin and idolatry. They were stubborn and refused to return to the LORD. As a result, the LORD promised to discipline them so that in time they would be ashamed of their idolatry.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

The Lord Condemns Pagan Worship (Good News Translation)
-or-
Worship in Israel is idolatrous and debauched (New Jerusalem Bible)

The previous section focused primarily on the priests. This section focuses on the people as a group. A section heading may be appropriate here if you chose interpretation (1) in 4:10d–11b. In that case this section would begin with a new sentence. A section heading is not recommended if you chose interpretation (2) or (3), because the heading would interrupt a sentence.

Paragraph 4:11b–13c

4:11b–12a

(New Revised Standard Version) Wine and new wine: In this phrase, the two terms for wine function together as a unit. The repetition emphasizes the intoxicating effect of wine. The distinction in meaning between the two words for wine is not important here. So some versions have only “wine.” For example:

Wine has robbed my people of their understanding. (New Living Translation (2004))

For translation advice on the word wine, see the note on 2:8b.

(New Revised Standard Version) Wine: The Hebrew word that many English versions translate as Wine is the normal word for “wine.” It does not refer to wine that has been aged for a long time. In some languages, a phrase such as “old wine” may have a wrong connotation. If that is true in your language, you should simply use your term for “wine,” as the New Living Translation (2004) has done.

(New Revised Standard Version) take away the understanding. My people consult…: There are two ways to interpret the possible connection of the phrase My people to the word understanding.

(1) The phrase My people does not connect to the previous word understanding. The phrase My people serves as the subject of the verb consult that follows it. For example:

take away the understanding. My people consult… (New Revised Standard Version

(2) The phrase My people connects to the previous word understanding. They are parts of a larger phrase: “understanding of my people.” For example:

take away the understanding of my people. They consult… (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In Hebrew, the position of the phrase My people in relation to the verb consult highlights the fact that it is God’s own people that consult idols.

Here is another way to express this emphasis:

My own people consult a piece of wood!

(New Revised Standard Version) take away the understanding: The Hebrew idiom that the New Revised Standard Version translates as take away the understanding is literally “take away the heart.” The people of Israel considered the heart to be the center of thought and knowledge. To take away the heart meant to interfere with clear thinking. In this context, it meant that the people’s habit of drunkenness led to their lack of clear thinking regarding the LORD and his standards. See “lack of knowledge” under 4:6a.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit whose understanding is being referred to. One way to do this is to refer to people in general. For example:

Wine takes away people’s ability to understand.
-or-
Wine keeps a person from thinking clearly.

© 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

6:9

This verse gives an example of the wicked behavior of the priests. Groups of priests murdered people who were traveling to a place of worship.

6:9a

Like raiders who lie in ambush, so does a band of priests: This verse part is a simile. It compares the actions of groups of priests to the actions of raiders who ambush and kill their victims.

Here are some other ways to translate this simile:

The priests are like gangs of robbers who lie in ambush for a person. (God’s Word)
-or-
The priests are like robbers waiting to attack people (New Century Version)

raiders: In Hebrew, this word refers to groups of robbers who stole from people and often murdered them.

a band of priests: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “association of priests.” It refers to priests of Israel who gathered into groups to do evil things.

6:9b

they murder: This phrase refers to the groups of priests who killed people deliberately. The form of the Hebrew verb indicates that they murdered people regularly or repeatedly.

on the way to Shechem: Shechem was located on an important road that many people used. The road led from Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, to Bethel, an important place of worship. The location of the murders was on this road, not within the city of Shechem.

surely they have committed atrocities: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “they have done wickedness.” The word “wickedness” is a strong word for sin of various kinds. Try to express the severity of this evil in your translation. For example:

they commit a monstrous crime (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
their behaviour is an outrage (Revised English Bible)

In Hebrew, this phrase begins with a word the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as surely to give emphasis. Some versions leave this word implied.

Here are some other ways to translate it explicitly:

Certainly, they have committed a crime. (God’s Word)
-or-

How terrible is the evil they have done!

General Comment on 6:9a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder some of the parts within these two lines. For example:

Like so many robbers in ambush, a gang of priests commits murder on the road to Shechem—what infamous behavior!
-or-
The priests are like a gang of robbers who wait in ambush for someone. Even on the road to the holy place at Shechem they commit murder. And they do all this evil deliberately! (Good News Translation)

© 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

8:14

Some versions, such as the Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version, make this verse a separate paragraph. The notes will follow most versions and make 8:14 the last verse of 8:11–14. You may do whatever is more natural in your language.

8:14a–b

These lines describe another sin that the LORD will judge. The people trusted in palaces and fortified towns instead of trusting in the LORD who made them. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

14a
Israel has forgotten his Maker and built palaces;

14b
Judah has multiplied its fortified cities.

The parallelism implies that the people in both Israel and Judah have “forgotten” their “Maker.” It also implies that both groups of people “built palaces” and “multiplied its fortified cities.”

Maker: This word implies here that the LORD made the people into a nation. In some languages, it may be helpful to make this information explicit. For example:

the one who made it/them ⌊into a nation ⌋

and built palaces: The word palaces refers here to the residences of the kings. Palaces were also fortified.

Judah has multiplied its fortified cities: The phrase multiplied its fortified cities means that the people built thick stone walls around the towns to protect them from enemy attacks.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Judah has built many strong, walled cities. (New Century Version)
-or-
Judah has many cities with sturdy walls around them

8:14c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

14c But I will send fire upon their cities,

14d and it will consume their citadels.

These lines describe the way that the LORD will judge the people. He will “send fire” to destroy the strong walls and palaces that the people depended on to protect them.

But: Verse 14c begins with a conjunction that contrasts the people’s efforts to protect their cities (14a–b) with the fact that the LORD will destroy those cities. Introduce this verse part in a way that indicates this contrast in your language.

I will send fire upon their cities, and it will consume their citadels: These parallel clauses mean that the LORD will send enemy armies to set fire to the cities. The fire will destroy them, including the citadels (fortified palaces).

General Comment on 8:14a–d

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

14a Israel, I created you, but you forgot me. 14a–b You and Judah built palaces and many strong cities. 14c–d Now I will send fire to destroy your towns and fortresses. (Contemporary English Version)

See also 8:14a–b, 8:14c–d, and 8:14a–d (combined/reordered) in the Display.

© 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

10:15a

Thus it will be done to you, O Bethel: This clause indicates that what will happen to Bethel is similar to what happened at Beth Arbel. Just like Shalman brutally destroyed that city, someone will brutally destroy Bethel also. The word Thus introduces this comparison.

Here are some other ways to introduce this comparison:

You will share that fate, Bethel (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-

So will it happen to you, O Bethel (NET Bible)

it will be done to you, O Bethel: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “he/it will do to you Bethel.” The Hebrew clause does not specify the referent of “he/it.” There are two main interpretations:

(1) The referent is intentionally impersonal. Hosea directs the reader’s attention to what will happen, not to who or what does the action. For example:

so it shall be done to you, Bethel. (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The referent is Bethel. In this interpretation Bethel is the agent, not a vocative. For example:

So shall Bethel do unto you (King James Version)

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

to you, O Bethel: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “to you Bethel.” For example:

so it shall be done to you, Bethel (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The LXX has “to you, House of Israel.” For example:

Thus it shall be done to you, O house of Israel (Revised Standard Version)

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

In Hebrew, these words are literally “to you (plur) Bethel (sing).” The plural you probably refers to the individual people of the city of Bethel. In Hebrew, Hosea speaks directly to the city of Bethel as one would speak to a person. However, to address a city in this way may not be natural in some languages.

Here are some other ways to translate this vocative:

That is what will happen to you, people of Bethel (Good News Translation)
-or-
Thus it will be done to you at Bethel (New American Standard Bible)

Use a vocative that is natural in your language when a person speaks to a group of people.

10:15b

because of your great wickedness: This statement gives the reason why Bethel will be destroyed. Bethel was the center of worship of the calf idol, and it represented the extreme wickedness of Israel. In Hebrew, the word because here is literally “from-the face-of.” It is a Hebrew expression that means “by reason of.”

Here are some other ways to translate this statement:

because of the terrible evil that you have done (Good News Translation)
-or-
because you did so much evil. (New Century Version)
-or-
For your horrible wickedness (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

10:15c

When the day dawns, the king of Israel will be utterly cut off: This clause indicates that the enemy soldiers (Assyrian army) will quickly capture and imprison the king of Israel very early in the war. See 2 Kings 17:4, 5. Some versions make this meaning explicit. For example:

as swiftly as the passing of dawn, the king of Israel will be swept away. (Revised English Bible)

When the day dawns: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “at the dawn.” For example:

At dawn the king of Israel will be completely cut off. (New Revised Standard Version)

(CBSB, EV, English Standard Version, Good News Translation, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Century Version, NET Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New Living Translation (2004), New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible)

(2) Some scholars think that the original text was “in the storm.” For example:

In the storm the king of Israel shall be utterly cut off. (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version)

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

The word “dawn” refers to early morning just before sunrise.” It was common to start a battle early in the day to give the attackers the advantage of surprise.

the king of Israel will be utterly cut off: This clause means that the Assyrians will take captive the king of Israel, king Hoshea. It also means that no other Israelite kings will rule after him.

Here are some ways to translate this whole verse part:

at dawn, the king of Israel will be no more (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
As soon as the battle begins at daybreak, the position of “king of Israel” will be gone.

This clause is more literally “the king of Israel destroyed he will be destroyed.” In Hebrew, this repetition intensifies the meaning.

Here are some ways to indicate this intensity:

the king of Israel will be completely destroyed. (New International Version)
-or-
the ruling of any king of Israel will completely end.

© 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

13:6–8

In 13:4–5, the LORD speaks to the people of Israel using 2nd person pronouns such as “you” and “your.” In 13:6–8, he speaks about the people of Israel using 3rd person pronouns such as “they” and “them.”

Some versions, such as the Good News Translation, translate these verses with 2nd person pronouns instead of 3rd person. Translate these pronouns in a natural way in your language.

13:6a–c

Notice the three poetic lines:

6a When they had pasture, they became satisfied;

6b when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud,

6c and as a result they forgot Me.

These lines describe three stages of Israel’s changing attitude toward the LORD. In Deut 8:11–14 the same three stages are described. Both passages have the same Hebrew words for “satisfied,” “proud,” and “forget.” It is recommended that you translate these Hebrew words in a similar way in both places.

13:6a

When they had pasture, they became satisfied: There are two main textual options in the first part of this clause (a single word in Hebrew):

(1) The Masoretic Text is more literally “according to their pasturage.” With this option, the clause focuses on the relationship between eating/grazing and being satisfied. The source of the food is left implied. For example:

As they had their pasture, they became satisfied (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
but when they had grazed, they became full (English Standard Version)

(2) Some scholars think that the original text was “as/when I pastured them.” With this option, the relationship between eating/grazing and being satisfied is similar. “I” (the LORD) is explicitly stated as the source of the food. For example:

I gave them food, and they became full and satisfied. (New Century Version)

The Display will follow option (1). However, option (2) is also well supported by versions and commentaries. With both options, the result of available pasturage (food) is that the people are satisfied. Even with option (1), the historical context of Israel’s time in the wilderness along with the context of 13:3 strongly implies that it was the LORD who supplied them with their food.

had pasture: The Hebrew word for had pasture is more literally “pasturage.” It usually refers to the grass or other vegetation that domestic animals eat. Here the word is probably figurative. It may refer particularly to manna that the LORD provided for his people in the desert of Sinai. Or it may refer to all the food and other provisions that the people of Israel needed to thrive.

satisfied: In Hebrew, this word means “to eat one’s fill.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

became full and satisfied (New Century Version)
-or-
They became full (English Standard Version)

13:6b

when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud: The LORD met the people’s needs. But instead of being thankful to him, they became proud.

In some languages, it may not be natural to include the phrase when they were satisfied in both 6a and 6b. Some versions leave this phrase implied. For example:

and then you grew proud (Good News Translation)

hearts became proud: In Hebrew, the phrase hearts became proud is more literally “and their heart was lifted up.” This expression means they were proud/arrogant. Here it indicates that the people did not acknowledge the LORD. They thought they did not need him.

13:6c

as a result they forgot Me: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “therefore they forgot me.” The word “therefore” introduces the result or consequence of their prideful response to God’s provision.

Here are some ways to indicate result or consequence:

therefore they forgot me (Revised Standard Version)
-or-

And so they forgot Me (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-

That is why you forgot me (God’s Word)

forgot Me: Here the Hebrew word means to stop thinking/caring about the LORD. It probably implies at least these four things:

• They ignored their commitment to the LORD and to their covenant obligations.

• They followed other gods.

• They stopped temple worship.

• They trusted in the things they had instead of trusting in the LORD.

© 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

2:18a

On that day: This is the same phrase that was used in 2:16a, and it refers to the same future time. For that reason, some versions do not repeat it here but leave it implied. That is an acceptable option as long as it is clear that the time period is the same.

I will make a covenant for them: The word covenant is an important theological word that is used many times in the book of Hosea. Usually it refers to an agreement between God and people. Here it refers to an agreement that the LORD made with the animals for the benefit of the Israelites. If your key term for covenant does not allow this use, you may need to use a different term. For example:

I will make an agreement (New Century Version)
-or-
I shall make a treaty (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I will cause…to agree

for them: In this context, the Hebrew word that most versions translate as for means “for the benefit of” or “on behalf of.” For example:

on Israel’s behalf (Revised English Bible)

Some versions leave the phrase for them implied. Most of these versions use other phrases to clarify the kind of benefits that Israel will enjoy. For example:

I will make a covenant with all the wild animals and birds, so that they will not harm my people. (Good News Translation)

them: Here in 2:18a, the pronoun them refers to the Israelites. The Good News Translation uses the phrase “my people.” The Contemporary English Version continues to use “you.”

with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that crawl on the ground: In this context, these three phrases represent all animals that could cause harm to people or crops. The same three phrases occur in Genesis 1:30, although the context is different. See how you translated the same phrases there.

the beasts of the field: This phrase refers to untamed animals that are often dangerous to people.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

the wild animals (New Jerusalem Bible)

the birds of the air: This phrase refers to flying creatures. In English, the words of the air are redundant, because the word birds includes this idea. So some English versions leave the words of the air implied. For example:

the birds (God’s Word)

the creatures that crawl on the ground: This phrase refers to small animals, including reptiles. In English, the category “wild animals” can include small animals. That is perhaps why some English versions, as the Good News Translation, leave this phrase implied.

In other languages, it may be necessary to use two categories to express the meaning of this phrase. For example:

crawling things and slithering things

Use categories that are natural in your language for describing the same kinds of living creatures. You may need to use more or less than three categories.

2:18b

And I will abolish bow and sword and weapons of war in the land: This clause expresses an additional promise from the LORD. It is not related to the covenant with the animals in 2:18a. In some languages, it may be necessary to clarify that this is a separate promise. For example:

I will also remove… (Good News Translation)

abolish: In Hebrew, this word is literally “break.” It means “to break” the weapons in order to end warfare.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

remove (Good News Translation)
-or-
destroy (God’s Word)

bow and sword and weapons of war: The bow and the sword were the two main weapons of war during the time of Hosea. Here these weapons are used as a figure of speech (synecdoche) that represents all weapons of war. The phrase weapons of war then summarizes and extends the figure to mean “warfare” or “battle” (New International Version, English Standard Version, Revised Standard Version)

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

weapons of war (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
all weapons of war from the land, all swords and bows (Good News Translation)
-or-
the bow, the sword, and war from the land (English Standard Version)

2:18c

and: The Hebrew conjunction waw that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and can have many different functions. Most English versions translate it here as and. But in this context, it probably introduces the purpose or intended result of the LORD’s previous actions. The purpose/result is that the people of Israel can live in safety.

This conjunction probably refers back to two actions: making the covenant (2:18a) and abolishing war (2:18b). Use a natural way in your language to introduce the purpose or intended result of the LORD’s previous actions.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

so that (New International Version)
-or-
The result will be that (Translation for Translators)

them lie down in safety: This statement tells what happens after the LORD makes the covenant with the animals and abolishes war. To lie down in safety means to sleep without fear of danger. It is a figure of speech that represents a safe life, not only safe sleep. In some languages, it may be clearer to translate this meaning directly and not keep the figure of speech. For example:

and will let my people live in peace and safety (Good News Translation)
-or-
so people can live safely (God’s Word)
-or-
so that they will have no cause to fear

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