SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021 – Page 2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 7:5

Paragraph 7:5–7

7:5a

The princes are inflamed with wine:
In Hebrew, this clause is literally “⌊the ⌋ princes became sick ⌊with ⌋ heat from wine.” This clause describes the effects of drinking a lot of wine.

The words “became sick” may imply that the princes were so drunk that they vomited (see the description in Isaiah 28:7–8). The word “heat” may also imply that their faces were flushed. However, it is more likely that these two descriptions are simply figurative ways to indicate that the princes were very drunk. English versions that use words such as inflamed or “heat” may do so to fit the simile of a hot oven in 7:4 and 7:6.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Use a natural way in your language to describe the effect of drunkenness. For example:

The rulers became crazy with wine (New Century Version)
-or-
The leaders were overcome with wine.

• Translate the idea of drunkenness directly. Leave the effects of drunkenness implied. For example:

the princes get drunk. (New Living Translation (2004))

on the day of our king: This refers to a celebration of some kind. The celebration may have been the king’s coronation day, his birthday, or some other special day to honor him. Many versions do not specify the kind of celebration it was.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

On the day of the king’s celebration (God’s Word)
-or-
At the holiday for our king (New Jerusalem Bible)

7:5b

so he joins hands with those who mock him: This clause probably means that the king participated with his officials and other wicked people in showing scorn and mockery for God or for other people. The historical context is not known, so it is not possible to determine who the mockers were or what they were saying or doing to show their scorn.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the king joins mockers. (God’s Word)
-or-
the king joined in with others who were showing their scorn

those who mock him: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as those who mock him refers to people who are arrogant as well as scornful. But the focus of this word is on the disdainful way that mockers treat others rather than their feelings of pride. In the context of 7:1–4, they are people who reject God and refuse to follow his wise commands.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

scoffers (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
arrogant people who show their scorn/contempt for others

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 9:7

Paragraph 9:7–9

In this paragraph, Hosea warns the people that God’s judgment is certain because of their many sins. This judgment will involve the total destruction of their cities (See Paragraph 8:11–14). Because of this devastation, few if any people will be able to live in the land. Those who escape death will face future punishment as slaves/exiles in Assyria (See the notes on 8:10b and 8:10c).

9:7a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

7a
The days of punishment have come;

7b
the days of retribution have arrived —

These lines are a warning. The underlined parts refer to the time when the LORD will begin to punish the people to pay for their sins. The parts in bold print indicate that this will happen very soon. See the first note on 9:6a.

The days of punishment…days of retribution: These parallel phrases both describe the same time and the same event(s). They refer to the suffering that the people of Israel will experience in exile. The first phrase indicates that this suffering is a punishment. The second phrase indicates that the LORD will require them to suffer as payment for the wrongs they have done.

days…days: In Hebrew and in many English versions, these words are identical. They refer here to an indefinite period of time.

Here are some acceptable ways to translate these parallel terms:

• Use the same term in both lines. For example:

The days…the days (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
The time…the time (Good News Translation)

• Use different terms in each line. For example:

The time…the day (New Living Translation (2004))

Here are some other ways to translate the parallel lines:

7a The time for them to be punished will come. 7b The time for them to pay for their sins will come. (God’s Word)
-or-

7a The time of punishment is about to arrive! 7b The time of retribution is imminent! (adapted from NET Bible)

General Comment on 9:7a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder these two parallel lines. See 9:7a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display for an example.

9:7c

let Israel know it: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has let Israel know. For example:

Let Israel know this! (New American Standard Bible)

(2) The LXX has “Israel cries out.” For example:

Israel cries (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions and scholars. With this option, the clause let Israel know it functions as a conclusion to the preceding lines (9:7a–b).

There are two main ways to interpret this conclusion:

(1) Hosea informs the people of Israel that they will know when the time of punishment begins. For example:

The time for them to be punished will come…When this happens, Israel will know it. (God’s Word)

(2) Hosea urges/admonishes the people of Israel that they need to know when the time of punishment will begin. For example:

…The time of retribution is imminent! Let Israel know ! (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions and scholars. However, interpretation (2) is also well supported. If you decide to follow interpretation (2), it is recommended that you give the other interpretation in a footnote. Here is a suggested footnote:

Another way to interpret this part of the verse is: “Israel will know it” or “Israel knows this!”

9:7d–e

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

7d
The prophet is called a fool,

7e and the inspired man insane.

The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane: In Hebrew, these clauses are more literally “the prophet a fool the person of the spirit mad.” In many languages, one or more verbs must be supplied to make the meaning clear. For example, the Berean Standard Bible supplies the verb phrase is called. In addition, some versions make the speaker explicit. For example:

You think the prophet is a fool, and you say the spiritual person is crazy (New Century Version)
-or-
“The prophets are crazy!” the people shout. “The inspired men are mad!” So they taunt (New Living Translation (2004) 96)

Most commentaries think that the words in 7d–e were spoken by Hosea’s hearers. These words indicate that they did not believe Hosea’s warning that the LORD would soon begin to punish them. Their response to Hosea was to discredit him (and perhaps all true prophets) by comparing him to a crazy person.

fool…insane: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fool means “stupid.” It describes someone whose words are not worth listening to. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as insane is literally “mad/crazy.” Here the people probably used the word to mock Hosea because of what he said.

The prophet…the inspired man: In these parallel phrases, the second phrase further describes a prophet in terms of the source of the prophet’s message.

the inspired man: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “the man of the spirit.” This phrase occurs only here in the Old Testament. It indicates that the person’s words are inspired by the spirit of the LORD.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the man whose words come from the LORD
-or-
a person whom the spirit of the LORD causes to speak

9:7f–g

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

7f because of the greatness of your iniquity

7g and hostility.

because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility: In Hebrew, the words are literally “on the multitude of your iniquity and great animosity.” There are two main interpretations of the function of the Hebrew preposition “on” that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as because :

(1) The preposition introduces reasons why the people call the prophet a fool and a madman. They call him that because they are filled with sin and hatred. For example:

The prophet is a fool; the man of the spirit is mad, because of your great iniquity and great hatred. (English Standard Version)

(2) The preposition introduces the reason for their great hostility. They have great hostility because they have many sins. For example:

Because of your great iniquity, your hostility is great. (New Revised Standard Version)

(Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New Revised Standard Version)

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

your…hostility: In Hebrew, this word probably means “to have animosity” or “to hold a grudge.” It refers here to the hostility that the people of Israel have against Hosea, or perhaps against both Hosea and Yahweh.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 11:7

11:7a

My people are bent on turning from Me: The relationship of this line to the surrounding context is not clear. This line may be stating again the theme of turning away from the LORD as in 11:5. Some versions translate this line as a reason for the war described in 11:6 by starting the verse with the word “For.” The majority of versions leave implied the relationship of this line to the context. Translate the relationship of this line to the context in a natural way in your language.

bent on turning from Me: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “hung up to/on my apostasy.” Here the word “hung up” has the figurative meaning of “determined” or “fixated upon.” It means that the people will not change their attitude or behavior. The Hebrew word “to/on my apostasy” means to reject or rebel against the LORD.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

My people are bent on turning away from me (English Standard Version)
-or-
They insist on turning away from me (Good News Translation)
-or-
my people are determined to desert me (New Living Translation (2004))

11:7b

Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them: In Hebrew, this sentence is literally “and to a height they call him together not he will exalt them.” This sentence has one main textual issue and various interpretations. The textual issue will be discussed first.

There is a textual issue concerning the Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Most High :

(1) The Masoretic Text has the phrase “and to a height.” See the separate note on the interpretations of this phrase. For example:

the One on high (New American Standard Bible)

(2) Some ancient versions have the word “yoke” instead of “height.” For example:

the yoke that is on them (Good News Translation)

(3) Some scholars think that the original text had “Baal” instead of “height.” For example:

they call to Baal (NET Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It has good support from scholars, ancient versions and most modern versions.

Though: This word is not in the Hebrew text. The Berean Standard Bible supplies it to make explicit the logical relationship between the first clause of the sentence “they call to the Most High” and the second clause “he will by no means exalt them.” The logical relationship is that the people’s action of calling to the LORD does not result in the LORD exalting them.

Here are some other ways to indicate this connection:

To the Most High they call, but he does not raise them up at all. (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-

Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them. (New International Version)

Indicate this relationship between the clauses in a natural way in your language.

they call: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “they call him.” There are two main interpretations of this phrase:

(1) The people call to the LORD. The referent of they is the people of Israel. The word call means to pray. The referent of “him” is the Most High. For example:

they call out to the Most High (English Standard Version)

(2) The prophets called the people to return to the LORD. The referent of they is the prophets. The word call means to urge or summon. The referent of “him” is Israel. For example:

The prophets call them to turn to me (New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions. It makes sense in this context and has the support of one of the ancient versions.

to the Most High: The Hebrew text is literally “and to a height.” There two main interpretations:

(1) The phrase “and to a height” is a short form of the descriptive phrase Most High. It refers to the LORD. For example:

To the Most High they call (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) The phrase “and to a height” means an upward direction. It refers figuratively to a high level of devotion/piety. For example:

if they are summoned to come up (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

He will by no means exalt them: This clause is literally “together not he will exalt them.” There are two main interpretations:

(1) The LORD will not exalt/lift the people. The verb “exalt/lift” means to help them in some way, perhaps by answering their prayers. This clause depicts the LORD’s negative response to the peoples’ apostasy. For example:

he shall not raise them up at all (English Standard Version)

(2) The people will not exalt the LORD. The verb “exalt/rise” means to honor or worship God. This clause depicts the people’s apostasy. For example:

They call me the Most High, but they don’t truly honor me. (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It makes good sense as the LORD’s negative response to the people calling to him.

by no means: There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as by no means :

(1) The Hebrew word means “altogether.” It functions as a superlative or to give emphasis to something in the following clause. Here it gives emphasis to the following verb “exalt.” For example:

He does not raise them up at all (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) The Hebrew word means “together” or “all at once.” It refers back to the people who call on the LORD in the previous clause. For example:

In unison they cry out to him (New American Bible)

The Display will follow interpretation (1), but the Hebrew word can have either meaning. The context does not clearly favor one over the other.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 13:13

13:13a

Labor pains come upon him: This line is a figure of speech that describes the pain that Israel experiences. The pain is like the pain a mother feels when she gives birth to a child.

There are two main interpretations of the time reference in this clause.

(1) Present. It refers to Israel at the time of Hosea. For example:

Pangs of childbirth assail him (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(2) Future. It refers to Israel at a time yet to come. For example:

The labor pains of a woman will overtake him (NET Bible)
#
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions. The verse makes good sense as a description of Israel at that time.

There are at least two possible aspects of this pain:

(a) It is severe. The nation of Israel suffers terribly as a result of sin.

(b) It signals a time for birth. The nation of Israel has the opportunity to be reborn, by repenting and returning to the LORD.

Both aspects may be intended here. Some versions make the second aspect explicit. For example:

They have the opportunity to live again (God’s Word)

13:13b

but: In Hebrew, there is no explicit contrast. However, many versions regard 13b to contrast with 13a. They supply a word such as but to indicate that contrast. Some versions do not indicate it. Indicate the connection of 13b to 13a in a natural way in your language.

he is an unwise son: This is a new figure of speech that compares Israel to an unwise child. Wisdom in the Old Testament means to live according to the LORD’s standards of right and wrong. In this figure of speech, Israel, like the infant, is described as being capable of such wisdom, but he does not use it.

13:13c

When the time arrives, he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb: This clause gives the reason for the previous line. The child has no wisdom, because he chooses not to be born.

The Hebrew clause begins with a word that introduces this clause as a reason. Some versions use a word such as “for” to indicate it. For example:

…for at the right time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb. (English Standard Version)

Many other versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible above, allow the context to indicate that this is a reason. Indicate that this is a reason in a natural way in your language.

Some versions make it explicit that the child chooses not to be born. For example:

like a child about to be born, who refuses to come out of the womb. (Good News Translation)
-or-
they are like a child who resists being born. (New Living Translation (2004))

When the time arrives: In Hebrew, this phrase is a single word meaning time. The context indicates that here time refers to the time to be born.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

at the right time (English Standard Version)
-or-
his time is due (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
like a child about to be born (Good News Translation)

he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb: The phrase he fails to present himself refers to the infant failing to move into the birth position.

The phrase at the opening of the womb is more literally “at the breaking forth of children.” It refers to the part of a woman’s body through which an infant is born.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he does not leave the womb (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
but won’t come out of its mother’s womb (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 1:4

Paragraph 1:4–5

This paragraph refers back to an event that occurred in a place called Jezreel. In Jezreel, King Jehu, an ancestor of Jeroboam II, had brutally killed the family of King Ahab (see 2 Kings 9–10). Although the LORD himself had commanded Jehu to destroy the family of Ahab (see 2 Kings 9:7), Jehu had exceeded this command when he killed many other people as well. For this reason, the LORD was going to punish Jehu’s descendants. It may be helpful to include some of this historical information in a footnote to help your readers to understand the reason for God’s judgment.

1:4a

Then the LORD said to Hosea, “Name him Jezreel: The LORD told Hosea to name his son after the place in Israel called Jezreel. Jezreel was the name of both a valley and a town. The name Jezreel means “God scatters.” Here it has a bad connotation. In 1:11d it has a good connotation. See the notes there for more information.

1:4b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

4b for soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu,

4c and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel.

Verse 1:4c adds information that clarifies how the LORD will punish the descendants of King Jehu.

1:4b

for: In Hebrew, this word introduces the reason that the LORD told Hosea to name his child Jezreel. Some English versions translate it as for or “because.” Other versions leave this connection implied. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.

soon I will bring the bloodshed of Jezreel upon the house of Jehu: This is the reason that the LORD told Hosea to name his child Jezreel. The name would be a reminder and a warning. It would remind the Israelites of the murders that Jehu committed at Jezreel when he was king of Israel. It would also warn them that the LORD was going to punish Jehu’s descendants for what he had done.

the bloodshed of Jezreel: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “the blood of Jezreel.” It refers to the murders that Jehu committed at Jezreel.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the bloodshed at Jezreel (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
the people they killed at Jezreel (New Century Version)
-or-
the murders he committed in Jezreel Valley (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit that Jehu committed the murders. For example:

the murders that his ancestor Jehu committed (Good News Translation)

Use a phrase that communicates the meaning clearly in your language.

the house of Jehu: In Hebrew, the phrase the house of may have more than one meaning. It can refer to the people of an entire nation (see 1:6c “the house of Israel” and 1:7a “the house of Judah”), the family or descendants of an individual, or the dynasty of a king. Here it refers specifically to Jehu’s descendant King Jeroboam II and his family.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

dynasty of Jehu (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the descendants of King Jehu of Israel (Contemporary English Version)

It may also be helpful to make it explicit that the king of Israel is the actual person to whom the house of Jehu refers. For example:

punish the king of Israel for the murders that his ancestor Jehu committed (Good News Translation)

Even though the Good News Translation does not use an expression like house of Jehu, it makes clear the connection between the king of Israel and Jehu by using the phrase “his ancestor Jehu.” Translate this idea in a way that communicates the meaning clearly in your language.

1:4c

and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel: In Hebrew, the phrase the kingdom of Israel is literally “the kingdom of the house of Israel.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase here:

(1) It refers to the northern kingdom of Israel. It means that Israel would cease to exist as an independent nation. For example:

I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. (God’s Word)

(2) It refers specifically to the rule of Jehu’s descendant, Jeroboam II. It means that this dynasty would cease to exist and that a new king who was not descended from Jehu would replace Jeroboam II. For example:

I am going to put an end to Jehu’s dynasty. (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It best fits the context of 1:5.

I will put an end to: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as put an end to means “to cause to stop.” The LORD will no longer allow the northern kingdom of Israel to exist as an independent nation. This statement does not include the southern kingdom of Judah. See the note on 1:7a.

Here are some other ways to translate 1:4c:

I will bring an end to Israel’s independence. (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
I will cause the nation/government of Israel to cease to exist.
-or-
I will cause Israel’s status as a country to end.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 3:2

Paragraph 3:2–3

In this paragraph, Hosea bought Gomer. Although they were still married, he told her that they would not be intimate with each other, nor would she be intimate with anyone else. This situation was probably a symbol that the LORD would restore his relationship with Israel and purify her.

3:2

So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley: Some scholars say that the value of the barley added to the fifteen shekels of silver made Hosea’s total expense approximately thirty shekels. It is not clear why Hosea paid this specific amount. He may have redeemed her from a debt that she could not pay. This price was equal to the value of a slave in Exodus 21:32, so it is possible that Gomer had sold herself into slavery to be someone’s mistress.

Here are some other ways to translate this idea:

I paid…to buy her (Good News Translation)
-or-
I redeemed her with…

fifteen shekels of silver: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “fifteen silver.” The word shekels is not in the Hebrew text.

Here are some ways to translate this amount of money:

• Add the word “shekels ” for clarity. The shekel was the standard unit of measure for silver, so it is implied. For example:

fifteen shekels of silver (New Jerusalem Bible)

• Add the word “pieces ” for clarity instead of shekels. For example:

fifteen pieces of silver (Good News Translation)

• Some versions give the total weight in the text. They do not translate fifteen or add the word shekels or “pieces.” For example:

six ounces of silver (New Century Version)

Any of these translation options are acceptable. It is recommended that you add a footnote that gives the equivalent weight in units of measurement that the readers will understand. For example:

The Hebrew literally says “fifteen silver.” This amount of silver money weighed about 6 ounces or 170 grams.

a homer and a lethech of barley: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “a homer of barley and a lethech of barley.” For example:

a homer and a half of barley (New American Standard Bible)

(2) The LXX has “a homer of barley and a measure of wine.” For example:

a homer of barley and a skin of wine (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

Both homer and lethech were units of dry measure. According to tradition, a lethech equaled half a homer. Scholars disagree on the size of a homer. Estimates vary from 100 liters to 394 liters. As a result, versions disagree on the amount of barley that is equivalent to a homer and a lethech. Some versions have “seven bushels” (Good News Translation and NET Bible). Others have “ten bushels” (Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, New International Version, and God’s Word). You may want to use an amount that agrees with a major language translation used in your area.

There are two main options for translating this amount of barley:

• Transliterate the Hebrew words homer and lethech. An example is the Berean Standard Bible above. You can also include a footnote that gives the equivalent amount, using the unit of measurement that is most common in your area for measuring grain. For example:

That is, probably about 10 bushels (about 330 liters) (New International Version footnote)

• Do not transliterate the Hebrew words homer and lethech in the text of the translation. Instead, state the equivalent amount using the unit of measurement that is most common in your area for measuring grain. For example, a bushel is a common English unit of measure, so the Contemporary English Version has “ten bushels.”

barley: If barley is unknown in your area, here are some ways to translate it:

• Use a more general term. For example:

grain (Contemporary English Version)

• If there is no general term, you may use a specific kind of grain that is known in your area. For example:

rice

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 5:10

5:10

In this verse, the focus shifts from the northern kingdom of Israel to the southern kingdom of Judah.

5:10a

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary stones: This statement is a simile. In this simile, the princes of Judah are compared to people who move a “landmark” (English Standard Version) or “boundary markers” (NET Bible). This was clearly prohibited in Deuteronomy 19:14 and Deuteronomy 27:17.

Scholars do not know specifically how Judah’s princes were similar to people who moved boundary markers. However, we do know that people did this in order to steal land from their neighbors.

Here are some ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Make explicit that moving boundary stones was illegal. For example:

Judah’s leaders are like crooks who move boundary markers (Contemporary English Version)

• Translate the significance of the action but omit the specific reference to boundary stones. For example:

The leaders of Judah are like those who steal other people’s land. (New Century Version)
-or-
The leaders of Judah have become like thieves (New Living Translation (2004))

The princes of Judah: This phrase refers to those who rule the kingdom of Judah. It includes the king, his officials, and military leaders.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

The rulers of Judah (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Those who govern/rule Judah

5:10b

I will pour out My fury upon them like water: This verse part describes the LORD’s response to the sin of the leaders of Judah. As a result of their sin, he will punish them severely. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this connection explicit. For example:

So… (Good News Translation)
-or-
that’s why… (Contemporary English Version)

The LORD’s fury is compared here to water. In this context, it implies a large quantity of water, such as in a flood. Here are some of the ways in which his anger is like water:

(a) The amount of both is great and overwhelming.

(b) Both cause great destruction.

Here are some other ways to translate this simile:

I will pour out punishment on them like a flood (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water (New International Version)
-or-
I will flood them with my anger (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages, verbs like pour out cannot be used with words like “wrath” or “punishment.”

Here are some other ways to translate this simile:

I will punish them severely. It will be as if a terrible flood carries them away.
-or-
I am very angry at them. I will destroy them like a flood.

fury: This word refers here to the LORD’s fierce anger that he expresses when he judges or punishes people.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

punishment (Good News Translation)
-or-
rage (NET Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 7:16

7:16a

They turn, but not to the Most High: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text is literally “they turn ⌊to ⌋ not height.” This clause probably means that the people turn to something that is not the Most High God. It implies that they do not turn to God. For example:

They did not turn to the Most High God. (New Century Version)

(2) Some English versions have “they turn to Baal.” For example:

They turn to Baal (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions and scholars. Here are some other ways to translate this option:

They keep on turning away from me to a god that is powerless. (Good News Translation)
-or-
They turn to a false god
-or-
They don’t return to the Most High (God’s Word)
-or-
They return, but not upward (English Standard Version)

In some languages, words such as turn or “return” refer only to physical movement, not to a change of belief.

If that is true in your language, here are some other ways to translate this clause:

They refuse to worship the Most High God.
-or-
They decide to trust a god who does not really exist.

7:16b

they are like a faulty bow: This clause is a simile. It compares the people of Israel to a bow that is used to shoot arrows at enemy soldiers. The similarity between the people and a bow depends on the meaning of the Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as faulty bow. This phrase is more literally “deceitful/treacherous bow” or “slack bow.” There are two main ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) The word faulty comes from a Hebrew word that means “deceitful” or “treacherous.” It refers to a bow that is unreliable, perhaps because it is warped. It cannot be trusted to shoot an arrow accurately and hit the target. The simile indicates that the people were untrustworthy and deceitful. God could not rely on them to worship him sincerely and do what he wanted. For example:

they are like an unreliable bow (NET Bible)
-or-
They are like a defective bow. (God’s Word)

(2) The word faulty comes from a Hebrew word that means “slack.” It refers to a bow that has a loose bowstring. It is weak or useless, because the arrows do not reach their target. The simile indicates that the people were weak and helpless as a nation. For example:

They are like a loose bow that can’t shoot. (New Century Version)

The Display will follow interpretation (1), but both interpretations are appropriate similes for the people of Israel.

In the Berean Standard Bible, NET Bible, and God’s Word, the way in which the bow is “deceitful” is left implied. Some versions are more specific. For example:

They are as unreliable as a crooked bow. (Good News Translation)

Some versions allow or combine aspects of both interpretations. For example:

They are as useless as a crooked bow. (New Living Translation (2004))

If you can translate in a similar way, it will be very acceptable.

If a term for bow is not known in your language area, you may use a general term. For example:

They are like a broken weapon

7:16c

Their leaders: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as leaders probably refers to government or military rulers or officials. See the notes on 7:3a–b and 7:5a, where the Berean Standard Bible translated the same Hebrew word as “princes.”

will fall by the sword: This phrase means that someone will use a sword to kill their leaders. The leaders will probably be assassinated or else killed in battle. Some versions state explicitly that they will die in battle, but the verse itself does not make that explicit. It is better to leave this detail unstated in the translation, as the Berean Standard Bible has done.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

they will die a violent death (Good News Translation)

the cursing of their tongue: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “the indignation of their tongue.” This phrase refers to the anger expressed by their words. In this context, it is likely that the leaders’ anger was associated with their arrogance and was directed against the LORD. The Berean Standard Bible above is one way to describe this anger.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

their angry talk (Revised English Bible)
-or-
the insolence of their tongues (New American Bible)
-or-
their leaders talk arrogantly (Good News Translation)

7:16d

for this they will be ridiculed in the land of Egypt: This clause indicates that people in Egypt will mock or laugh at the misfortune of the Israelites after the leaders of Israel are killed.

for this: The pronoun this refers to the death of the leaders of Israel. In some languages, the pronoun reference may need to be made explicit. For example:

Because of their death, the Egyptians will ridicule them

they will be ridiculed: This is a passive clause. In some languages, it may be preferable to change this into an active clause. For example:

Egyptians will laugh at them. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
So people will disdain them in the land of Egypt. (NET Bible)

in the land of Egypt: This phrase indicates that the Egyptians are the ones who will ridicule the Israelites. It does not imply that the leaders were killed in Egypt. To make this clear some versions use a phrase such as “The Egyptians” instead of the phrase in the land of Egypt. For example:

The Egyptians will laugh (Good News Translation)
-or-

The people in Egypt will ridicule them for this. (God’s Word)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 7:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 9:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 11:7

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 13:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 1:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 3:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 5:10

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 7:16

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American Bible Society