SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021 – Page 2

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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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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 8:5

8:5a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

5a
He has rejected your calf, O Samaria.

5b
My anger burns against them.

8:5a

He has rejected your calf, O Samaria: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “he has rejected your calf Samaria.” This is a statement that the LORD has rejected the calf idol that the people of Samaria worshiped. For example:

“O Samaria, he has rejected your calf idol. (NET Bible)

(2) The LXX has “Reject your calf Samaria.” This is a command that the people of Samaria should reject their calf idol. For example:

Throw out your calf-idol, O Samaria! (New International Version)

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

He: Many English versions use the pronoun “I” here, because it is not natural in English for someone to refer to himself using “he.” Translate this pronoun in a natural way in your language.

has rejected: This verb indicates strong dislike or disapproval.

Here are some ways to translate the phrase “he has rejected”:

he has rejected (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
I have spurned (English Standard Version)

In some languages, it may be more natural to leave the pronoun implied. For example:

your calf-god is loathsome (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Your calf is rejected (New Revised Standard Version)

your calf: This phrase refers to an idol in the shape of a bull calf. It may have been made of wood and covered with a thin layer of gold. It probably refers specifically to the gold calf idol that was at Bethel. King Jeroboam I set up this idol for the people of the northern kingdom of Israel to worship (see 1 Kings 12:25–33).

O Samaria: Here the LORD, speaking through Hosea, addressed the people of Samaria directly. Some versions have added the word O to make it clear that O Samaria is a term of address (vocative). Use a vocative that is natural in your language when a person speaks to a group of people.

Samaria was the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel. In this context, the name Samaria is a figure of speech that represents the nation or people of Israel.

Here are some other ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the name Samaria and add the meaning. For example:

O ⌊people of ⌋ Samaria, I have rejected your ⌊idol that is like a bull ⌋ calf.

• Translate the meaning of Samaria. For example:

You Israelites, I hate your ⌊gold ⌋ calf.

8:5b

My anger burns against them: In Hebrew, this line emphasizes that the LORD became very angry with the people of Israel because of their idolatry.

Here are some other ways to translate this emphasis:

I am very angry with the people. (New Century Version)
-or-
I am furious with them. (Good News Translation)

them: This pronoun refers to the people of Israel. Since in 8:5a the LORD spoke directly to the people, it may be more natural in some languages to use a “you” pronoun here. For example:

My fury burns against you. (New Living Translation (2004))

8:5c

How long will they be incapable of innocence?: This is a rhetorical question. Its function is to express the LORD’s sorrow and frustration that the people of Israel will never be free from sin.

Here are some other ways to translate this rhetorical question:

• As a rhetorical question. Here are some other rhetorical questions with a similar meaning:

When will you ever be innocent again? (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
How long must they remain guilty? (Revised English Bible)

• As a statement. For example:

I grieve that they cannot stop sinning!

innocence: This word refers to a person who does no wrong. That person is honest and free from guilt. In this context, the word may refer particularly to being innocent of idolatry. The Good News Translation makes that idea explicit:

How long will it be before they give up their idolatry? (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 10:6

10:6a

Yes, it will be carried to Assyria: This Hebrew clause part is more literally “also it to Assyria it will be carried.” The Hebrew phrase “also it” introduces additional information and gives emphasis to it. Here it probably indicates that in addition to the glory of the calf departing, the calf itself will also be taken away. For example:

The thing itself shall be carried to Assyria (English Standard Version)
-or-

It too shall be brought to Assyria (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

Some versions leave this information implied.

This clause part is passive. In some languages, it may be more natural to use an active verb and to make the agent explicit. There are two possible agents:

• The Israelites. After the Assyrians defeat Israel, the Assyrians will force the Israelites to bring their calf idol to Assyria to give to their king. For example:

The Israelites will carry it to Assyria as a gift for the great king.
-or-
The Assyrians will make the Israelites carry it to Assyria as tribute for the great king.

• The Assyrians. After the Assyrians defeat Israel, the Assyrians will bring the calf idol to Assyria to give to their king. For example:

The Assyrians will carry it home to Assyria as a gift for the great king.

If you need to make an agent explicit in your translation, you may choose either of these options.

as tribute to the great king: In this context, a tribute is a gift that someone gives to a superior person, particularly to a king. It shows an attitude of submission to that person.

The phrase the great king refers to the king of Assyria who ruled at that time.

10:6b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

6b
Ephraim will be seized with shame;

6c
Israel will be ashamed of its wooden idols.

These lines talk about the shame that Israel will have when their idol is captured by Assyria.

Ephraim…Israel: In these parallel lines, Ephraim and Israel are figures of speech that represent all the people of the nation of Israel.

will be seized with shame…will be ashamed: The words translated as shame and ashamed are forms of the same Hebrew word. They mean “to be shamed,” and describe a sense of confusion, embarrassment, and dismay.

Here are other ways to translate these parallel lines:

Ephraim shall be put to shame and Israel shall be ashamed (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Ephraim will be ridiculed and Israel will be shamed (New Living Translation (2004))

10:6c

of its wooden idols: There are textual issues and interpretation differences of the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as of its wooden idols.

Here are the textual issues:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “from its own counsel/plans.” For example:

and Israel will be ashamed of its own counsel. (New American Standard Bible)

(Good News Translation, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, Revised English Bible)

(2) Some scholars think that the original text was “from its own image.” The word “image” refers to the calf idol. For example:

Israel shall be ashamed of his idol. (English Standard Version)

(Contemporary English Version, English Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), Revised Standard Version)

(3) Other scholars think that the original text was “from its own disobedience.” For example:

and the people will be ashamed for not obeying. (New Century Version)

(New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with the majority of modern commentaries and versions.

Here are the main interpretations of the word “from its own counsel/plans:”

(1) The word means: “from its own counsel/plans.” For example:

Israel shall be dismayed because of its plans. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(2) The word means: “from its own wood.” The word “wood” refers to the calf idol. For example: (NET Bible)

Israel will be put to shame because of its wooden idol.

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It makes sense and it is followed by ancient and many modern versions. The “counsel/plans” that Israel will be ashamed of probably refers to the unwise national policies that the nation of Israel followed.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 12:11

12:11

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

11a Is there iniquity in Gilead ?

11b They will surely come to nothing.

11c Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal ?

11d Indeed, their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field.

Gilead and Gilgal are locations. Here they are probably figures of speech that represent the entire northern kingdom of Israel. They may be an example of the kind of parable or figure of speech that 12:10 describes.

Here are three possible purposes for the verse:

(a) to show the great extent of wickedness in Israel

(b) to return to the main theme of this chapter, deceit and lying

12:11a–b

Is there iniquity in Gilead? They will surely come to nothing: In Hebrew, these clauses are more literally “if Gilead [is] wickedness surely they are worthlessness.” Here are some acceptable ways to translate the clauses:

• As a rhetorical question followed by a response. The implied answer in the response is “yes.” For example:

Is there iniquity in Gilead? Surely they are worthless. (New American Standard Bible)

• As a conditional clause followed by a conclusion. The implicit understanding is that the condition is true. For example:

If there is iniquity in Gilead they shall surely come to nothing. (English Standard Version)

• As statements. For example:

The people of Gilead are evil, worth nothing. (New Century Version)

Translate these clauses in a natural way in your language.

iniquity: In Hebrew, this word has a broad range of meaning that includes “idolatry,” “wickedness,” iniquity, “emptiness.” The same word is used in the second part of the name Beth-aven, “house of wickedness.” See 4:15b.

Some versions translate the word here as “idolatry.” That translation is not recommended, because it limits its meaning. It is likely that Hosea’s use of the word here had a broader sense. Hosea uses the same word to refer to the people of Gilead in 6:8. There the word is associated with bloodshed, not specifically with idolatry.

Gilead: Gilead is the region in the northern kingdom of Israel located east of the river Jordan. The region includes land and cities belonging to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh. By the time of Hosea, Gilead was known to be a place of evil.

They will surely come to nothing: The Hebrew word for nothing here means “emptiness,” “vanity,” “falsehood.” It designates something that is worthless either physically or morally. In Hebrew, the preceding word surely emphasizes how worthless the people were.

There are two main interpretations of the time reference of this clause:

(1) The people of Gilead were worthless at that time. For example:

They are worthless (God’s Word)

(2) The people of Gilead will become worthless in the future. They will be destroyed. For example:

they shall surely come to nothing (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with the majority of versions. The Hebrew clause is an appropriate description of the people of Gilead at that time. See Hosea 6:8.

12:11c

Do they sacrifice bulls in Gilgal?: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “bulls they have sacrificed.” For example:

In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls (English Standard Version)

(2) Some scholars think the original text had “to bulls they have sacrificed.” For example:

At Gilgal they sacrifice to bulls (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. Option (2) lacks support from ancient texts or versions.

The sacrifice of bulls probably refers to pagan sacrifices.

The Berean Standard Bible and some other versions that translate 11a as a rhetorical question also translate 11c as a rhetorical question. This is not recommended. A rhetorical question is not indicated in the Hebrew text.

Gilgal: Gilgal is a city in the northern kingdom of Israel located west of the river Jordan. It was a major center of idolatry. See 4:15b.

12:11d

Indeed: In Hebrew, this clause starts with a word that has various possible meanings. A basic meaning that fits the context here is “also/moreover.” Here it introduces the altars as a further description of the sacrificing of bulls in 11c. For example:

The altars of these are also like stone heaps upon a plowed field. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-

Yes, their altars are like the stone heaps beside the furrows of the field.

their altars will be heaps of stones in the furrows of the field: This sentence describes the altars on which the people sacrificed bulls. It compares the altars to stone piles in fields. There are two main interpretations of the time reference:

(1) This sentence describes the altars as they were at that time. For example:

Their altars also are like stone heaps on the furrows of the field. (English Standard Version)
#
(2) This sentence describes the altars as they will be in the future. It predicts that they will be destroyed. For example:

But their altars will become like piles of rubble beside a plowed field. (God’s Word)

The Display will follow interpretation (1), but you may follow either interpretation. In Hebrew, there is no explicit time reference, because this clause has no verb. Both interpretations fit the context of the passage.

The phrase heaps of stones in the furrows of the field may refer to stones that a farmer removes from his field to allow for plowing. The comparison, however, does not make explicit the way in which the altars are like these piles of stones. Here are some possibilities:

• The altars are/will be as numerous as the piles of stones.

• The altars are/will be as worthless as the piles of stones.

• The altars are/will be obstacles like the piles of stones that must be removed to allow for growth and harvesting.

Most versions leave the point of comparison implied. However, you may include these possibilities in the translation or in a footnote if think it will be helpful.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2:9

2:9a–b

In this verse, the LORD responds to Israel’s refusal to acknowledge him as the source of their blessings. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

9a Therefore I will take back My grain in its time,

9b and My new wine in its season;

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted word) in 2:9b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing verb from 2:9a. For example:

9b and ⌊I will take back ⌋ My new wine in its season;

in its time and…in its season: These parallel phrases are more literally “at its appropriate time…at its appointed time.” These phrases refer to the different times/seasons of the year when the grain and grapes were ripe and ready to be harvested.

Here are some other ways to translate these phrases:

at harvest time (New Century Version)
-or-
when it is the right season/time

2:9a

Therefore: This word introduces the result of the people’s refusal to acknowledge the LORD.

Here are some other ways to introduce this result:

That is why (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
So (Good News Translation)

Use a natural way in your language to introduce a result in this context.

I will take away: This phrase indicates here that the LORD will withhold the products that he intended to provide for the nation of Israel. It probably means that he will keep Israel from harvesting or using these products that they previously enjoyed.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

I will withhold ⌊from Israel ⌋
-or-
I will prevent ⌊the people of Israel ⌋ ⌊from harvesting ⌋

2:9b

new wine: See the note on 2:8b. Here (in 2:9b) it refers by metonymy to the crop of grapes that is ready to be harvested and made into wine. For example:

the ripe grapes ⌊that they usually ⌋ made into new wine

General Comment on 2:9a–b

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

So I’ll hold back the harvest of grain and grapes. (Contemporary English Version)

2:9c

I will take away My wool and linen: See the note on 2:5d for wool and linen. In Hebrew, the verb I will take away is more literally “I will snatch away.” It means that the LORD will forcibly withdraw the materials that the nation of Israel needed for clothing.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

I will snatch away my wool and my flax (New American Bible)
-or-
I shall withdraw my wool and my flax (New Jerusalem Bible)

which were given to cover her nakedness: In Hebrew, the form of the verb cover that is used here implies the intention to cover. The Berean Standard Bible has made this explicit by saying which were given to.

Here is another way to translate this idea:

that I gave her to cover her naked body (God’s Word)

Use a natural way in your language to indicate intention.

her nakedness: If it is not natural in your language to say that clothing “covers nakedness,” here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

which I have provided in order to clothe her (NET Bible)
-or-
I gave her for clothing (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 4:13

4:13a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

13a They sacrifice on the mountaintops

13b and burn offerings on the hills

These lines describe one of the ways that the people and priests were unfaithful to God. They sacrificed to idols at pagan shrines. These shrines were frequently located on the tops of mountains or hills.

sacrifice…burn offerings: These parallel terms refer here to two kinds of offerings that people made when they worshiped Baal or other idols. The form of the Hebrew verbs indicates that they sacrificed regularly or repeatedly.

The word sacrifice refers to killing an animal and eating portions of it as part of a worship ceremony. The phrase burn offerings is literally “they make smoke.” It refers primarily to the smoke from burning incense. See the note on this verb at 2:13a. In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of this information explicit. For example:

They sacrifice ⌊animals ⌋ and burn ⌊incense ⌋ as an offering ⌊to their idols ⌋

on the mountaintops…on the hills: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hills usually refers to areas that are slightly lower than mountains. Here no distinction is intended between these two parallel terms. The parallel lines do not imply that people offered one kind of sacrifice on mountains and another kind on hills.

General Comment on 4:13a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine the parallel parts into one line. For example

They never stop offering sacrifices on mountaintops and hills (Contemporary English Version)

4:13c

under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant: This phrase gives a further description of the places on the mountaintops and hills where the Israelites made sacrifices. Oak, poplar, and terebinth are three kinds of large trees that give good shade. If these trees are unknown in your area, you may use borrowed terms from another translation in your area. You may also use a descriptive phrase instead of stating the names of specific kinds of trees. For example:

under tall, spreading trees, because the shade is so pleasant (Good News Translation)

Paragraph 4:13d–14

4:13d–e

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

13d And so your daughters turn to prostitution

13e and your daughters-in-law to adultery

In addition to offering sacrifices, another part of the people’s idol worship was getting drunk and sleeping with prostitutes. These lines describe a result of this idol worship. The immoral behavior of the men motivated young women to behave immorally also.

And so: This word introduces the response of the young women to the idol worship described in 4:13a–b. They became sexually immoral.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

As a result (Good News Translation)
-or-
That is why (Revised English Bible)

In some languages, it may not be clear that the young women’s response is due to idol worship. If that is true in your language, you may want to make the connection explicit. For example:

Because of ⌊the rituals that accompany ⌋ ⌊idol worship ⌋, your daughters…

your daughters…your daughters-in-law: In 4:12c–4:13b, “they” pronouns are used. Here in 4:13d–e, the pronouns change to your. This change of pronouns may help the hearers to realize what is happening to the young women in their own families.

The parallel phrases your daughters…your daughters-in-law function as a pair. They represent all the young women of Israel. In some languages, it may be more natural to refer to these two groups with a more general term. For example:

your female children
-or-
your young women

daughters-in-law: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as daughters-in-law :

(1) It means “daughters-in-law.” For example:

daughters-in-law (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means “brides.” For example:

brides (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. This interpretation better fits the parallel term “daughters” in 4:13d.

turn to prostitution…to adultery: These parallel terms function together to indicate sexual immorality in general. This verse does not imply a distinction between one group of women who are prostitutes and another group who commit adultery.

General Comment on 4:13d–e

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

Your own daughters and daughters-in-law sell themselves for sex. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 6:11

6:11a

In 6:7–10, the LORD spoke about the sins of people in the northern kingdom of Israel. Here in 6:11a, he spoke to the people of the southern kingdom of Judah.

Also for you, O Judah, a harvest is appointed: In this sentence, the LORD warned the people of Judah that he had set a time to judge them.

Also: This word indicates that the LORD had set a time to judge Judah as well as Israel. The judgment for Israel was not made explicit in 6:7–10, but the word Also implies it here.

you, O Judah: The LORD addressed the people of Judah directly through the prophet Hosea.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

as for you, people of Judah (Good News Translation)
-or-
For you also, O Judah (New Revised Standard Version)

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

a harvest: In this context, the word harvest has a figurative meaning. It refers to the consequences of a person’s behavior. Here it refers to the consequences that the people of Judah will experience when the LORD judges them for their sin.

Here are some other ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Keep the figure of speech and make the meaning of judgment explicit. For example:

a harvest of punishment is also waiting for you (New Living Translation (2004))

• Omit the figure of harvest and translate the meaning directly. For example:

I have set a time to punish you also for what you are doing (Good News Translation)

is appointed: This phrase means that a time is set for the harvest to happen. This is a passive form. In some languages, it may be necessary to use an active verb and make the agent explicit. For example:

I have appointed a time to reap judgment (NET Bible)

Notice that the NET Bible and Good News Translation both use active verbs. They differ in that the NET Bible keeps the figure of reaping whereas the Good News Translation translates the meaning non-figuratively. Express the meaning clearly and naturally in your language.

6:11b–7:1a

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

6:11b when I restore My people from captivity.

7:1a When I heal Israel,

There are two main ways to interpret the relationship between the clauses in 6:11b and 7:1a:

(1) The clauses are parallel. Both clauses refer to occasions when the LORD desired to bless his people. These clauses are the first part of a sentence that continues in 7:1. For example:

6:11b When I would restore the fortunes of my people, 7:1a when I would heal Israel, (New Revised Standard Version)

(Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, New American Bible, NET Bible, New International Version, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible)

(2) The clauses are not parallel. The first clause refers back to the appointed harvest for Judah in 6:11a. That harvest would happen when the LORD restored the fortunes of his people.

With this interpretation, this clause is the final part of the sentence that began with 6:11a. The second clause starts a new sentence. For example:

6:11a For you too, Judah, a harvest is in store, 6:11b when I restore my people’s fortunes. 7:1a Whenever I would heal Israel, (New Jerusalem Bible)

Interpretation (1) is recommended. It best fits the context of the surrounding verses that focus on the sins of the people. Interpretation (2) makes good sense only if the “harvest” mentioned in 6:11a is understood as the LORD’s blessing. However, here it probably refers to his judgment.

6:11b

when I restore My people from captivity: In Hebrew, the phrase when I implies that the LORD desires to do something and that his desire is not fulfilled. The phrase restore My people from captivity is literally “turn back the captivity of my people.” This is a Hebrew idiom. It refers here to the LORD’s desire to restore the prosperity and stability that his people enjoyed in earlier times.

Here are some ways to make explicit the idea of unfulfilled desire:

Whenever I want to restore the fortunes of my people (NET Bible)
-or-
At the same time that I desire to restore the fortunes of my people…

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 9:2

9:2

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

2a
The threshing floor and winepress will not feed them,

2b and the new wine will fail them.

This verse tells about one of the consequences of the people of Israel rejecting the LORD. He will take away their grain and wine. This consequence probably resulted from their worship of the false god Baal. They believed that Baal gave them their grain and wine. This warning is similar to the words in Hosea 2:8. See the note in 2:8b on “the grain, the new wine and oil” for more details.

9:2a

The threshing floor and winepress will not feed them: This clause has two related figures of speech (metonymy). They represent the products, grain and wine, that are produced at the threshing floor and winepress. It means that there will not be enough grain for the people to eat or enough wine for them to drink. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate the meaning directly. For example:

There won’t be enough grain to feed people. There won’t be enough wine to go around. (God’s Word)

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

(1) The word means winepress. A winepress is a device that presses the juice from grapes. For example:

The threshing-floor and wine-press will not feed them (New Jerusalem Bible)
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(2) The word means “olive-press.” An olive-press is a device that presses the oil from olives. For example, the Good News Translation lists the products associated with a threshing-floor and an olive-press:

But soon you will not have enough grain and olive oil (Good News Translation)

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

9:2b

the new wine will fail them: This clause indicates that the amount of new wine will not be enough to meet the needs of the people.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

there won’t be enough new wine (New Century Version)

new wine: See the note on this same product in 2:8b for more details. If new wine is not familiar in your language area, you may use a more general term. For example:

there will be no wine (Good News Translation)

them: There is a textual difference here that involves the word them :

(1) The LXX and other ancient versions have them. them refers to the people of Israel. For example:

the new wine shall fail them (Revised Standard Version)

(2) The Masoretic Text has “her.” “Her” refers to the nation of Israel. For example:

the new wine shall betray her (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

Options (1) and (2) are two ways to refer to Israel. It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions.

General Comment on 9:2a–b

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

But you will run short of grain and wine (Contemporary English Version)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 5:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 8:5

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 10:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 12:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2:9

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 4:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 6:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 9:2

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American Bible Society