SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021 – Page 22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 7:15

Paragraph 7:15–16

7:15a–b

Although I trained and strengthened their arms, they plot evil against Me: In this sentence, the LORD contrasts the good he has done for the people with the evil that the people do against him. The Berean Standard Bible and a number of other versions express this contrast by using a concessive clause in 7:15a. For example:

Though I trained them and gave them strength, they have made evil plans against me. (New Century Version)

I…they: The sentence that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shown above is literally “And I, I instructed…but against me, they plot evil.” The Hebrew text emphasizes the contrast between the LORD and the people of Israel. If possible, translate in a way that expresses this strong contrast. For example:

It was I who trained and strengthened their arms, yet they plot evil against me. (New Revised Standard Version)

7:15a

I trained and strengthened their arms: In Hebrew, the word trained can refer to moral instruction, rebuke, or punishment. In 7:12d, the same word referred primarily to punishment. Here, in combination with strengthened, it refers primarily to teaching or training. For example:

I taught them what they know (Contemporary English Version)

The phrase strengthened their arms is a figure of speech that most often means to encourage someone. It is frequently used in the context of battle. Here it may indicate that God gave the people of Israel encouragement or strength to fight and overcome their enemies. It does not mean that God literally strengthened their arms.

Some versions translate their arms as the object of both verbs. For example:

I trained and strengthened their arms (New Revised Standard Version)

If a literal translation of these figures of speech is not correctly understood, it is recommended that you use the nonfigurative meaning, as in the New International Version or the New Century Version.

7:15b

they plot evil against Me: This clause means that the people make evil plans that are offensive and disloyal to God. Some suggest it may refer specifically to the worship of false gods or to making alliances with other nations instead of relying on God. However, the verse itself gives only a general statement. It leaves implicit the details of the people’s evil plans.

Here are some other ways to translate this statement:

they have made evil plans against me (New Century Version)

© 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.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 9:17

Paragraph 9:17

In this paragraph, Hosea prophesies about God’s response to the people’s disobedience. God will reject them and scatter them among the nations of the earth. These words are much like the curse in Deuteronomy 28:62–64.

9:17a

My God: Hosea says My God instead of God or “their God.” By using this phrase, Hosea may be indicating that he no longer considered the LORD to be the God of the people of Israel.

because: This word introduces the reason that the LORD will reject them. It is because they have not obeyed him. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.

they have not obeyed Him: The Hebrew clause here is more literally “they have not listened to him.” In this context the word “listen” implies “obey.”

Here are some other ways to translate this meaning:

they refused to listen to him (God’s Word)
-or-
Israel, you disobeyed my God. (Contemporary English Version)

9:17b

and they shall be wanderers among the nations: This verse part explains what will happen to the people when the LORD rejects them. They will be forced to leave their homeland of Israel. They will no longer own property there to pass on to their descendants. Instead they will live in other nations of the world and will not have their own permanent homeland.

wanderers: In Hebrew, this word refers to someone who flees, moves or wanders abroad.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

they will be fugitives among the nations (NET Bible)
-or-
Now he will force you to roam from nation to nation. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They will be wanderers, homeless among the nations. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 12:5

12:5

In this verse, Hosea reminds the people of Israel that it is Yahweh who spoke with Jacob at Bethel. Here are some possible reasons for this reminder:

(a) Like their ancestor Jacob, they were the people of Yahweh, and they were obligated to serve him.

(b) The people should not confuse Yahweh with the idols that they worshiped.

(c) Yahweh has power and authority over all things on earth and in heaven. For this reason, the people should be confident in him and should do what Hosea urges them to do in 12:6.

12:5a

the LORD is the God of Hosts: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “and Yahweh the God of (the) hosts.” The first word “and” in the Hebrew phrase connects it to the previous verse. Some versions leave this connection to the previous verse implied. Some other versions make the connection clear. For example:

even the Lord… (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
This was the Lord… (Good News Translation)
-or-
yes, Yahweh… (New Jerusalem Bible)

Indicate the connection of this phrase to the previous verse in a natural way in your language.

The Hebrew word for “hosts” means “armies.” In this phrase, the word “armies” could refer to armies of angels in heaven, or to human armies on earth, or to both.

The phrase includes two different words for God, Yahweh and ʾelohim (God). Try to include both words for God in your translation if possible.

This phrase is used as a title. Here are some acceptable ways to translate this title:

• Translate it literally. For example:

The Lord the God of Hosts (Revised English Bible)

• Translate the title as a clause. For example:

The LORD is the God of Armies (God’s Word)

• Make explicit the implied meaning of great power. For example:

The Lord God Almighty (NET Bible)
-or-
The Lord God All-Powerful (New Century Version)
-or-
The Almighty LORD God

12:5b

the LORD is His name of renown: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “Yahweh his remembrance.” The Hebrew word for “remembrance” means “memorial, by which one is remembered.” Here are three acceptable translation options:

• Translate “remembrance” as name. For example:

the Lord is his name (New Living Translation (2004))

• Make the greatness/power of the LORD explicit as well as name. For example:

the Lord is his great name (New Century Version)

• Translate both “remembrance” and name. For example:

the Lord is the name by which he is remembered ! (NET Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:7

14:7a

They will return and dwell in his shade: There are textual and interpretation issues in this clause. The first textual issue concerns the relationship of the subject and predicate. The issue of his/my shade will be discussed separately.

(1) The LXX has “they will return and they will sit under his shelter.” With this option, the subject “they” will do two things: return and dwell. Some versions imply return by the phrase “dwell again.” The word dwell functions as a verb. For example:

People will reside again in his shade (NET Bible)

(2) The Masoretic Text has “they will return [those who] dwell in its/his shade.” With this option, those who return are identified as those who dwell in his shade. The word dwell functions as the participial noun “dwellers.” For example:

They that dwell under his shadow shall return (King James Version)

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

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

(1) The word means “again.” For example:

Again they shall dwell in his shade (New American Bible)

(2) The word means return. For example:

They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow (English Standard Version)

You may follow either interpretation. Interpretation (1) is supported by most versions. Interpretation (2) is supported by more commentaries. Each interpretation implies the other one. The Display will follow interpretation (1) but will include return in the 2nd ML as implied information.

dwell: This word means to inhabit or reside somewhere. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

live (God’s Word)
-or-
reside (NET Bible)

in his shade: There is a textual issue in this phrase regarding the referent of the pronoun his :

(1) The pronoun refers to “Israel.” For example:

People will reside again in his shade. (NET Bible)

(2) The pronoun refers to God. For example:

My people will again live under my shade. (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has good support from commentaries as well as the LXX and the Peshitta. Verses 5 and 6 describe the nation of Israel figuratively as a cedar tree. It is reasonable to assume that this verse continues this figurative description.

The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shade means “shadow, shade, as protection from sun.” Here the meaning is figurative. It refers to the figurative shade/shadow of the tree, which is Israel in the future.

Here are some implications of this figure of speech:

(a) The shade describes the protection offered by the restored state of Israel.

(b) The shade describes the means for the people to flourish.

(d) The shade describes Israel’s covenant with God.

14:7b

they will grow grain: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “they will cause grain to live.” There are two main interpretations of this Hebrew clause:

(1) It means that the people of Israel will grow grain. For example:

they will plant and harvest grain in abundance (NET Bible)

(2) It means that the people will flourish like grain. For example:

They shall flourish like the grain. (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It makes good sense without any changes to the grammar of the Hebrew text.

grain: There is a textual issue concerning the Hebrew word for grain:

(1) The word is grain. For example:

They shall bring to life new grain. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(2) Some scholars think that the original word was “garden.” For example:

They shall flourish as a garden. (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. It makes good sense without any changes to the Hebrew text.

14:7c

blossom like the vine: There are two main interpretations of this clause:

(1) The clause is a simile that compares Israel to a vine. Israel will blossom in a way similar to a vine. For example:

And they will blossom like the vine. (New American Standard Bible)

(2) The clause means that the people of Israel will make vines grow. For example:

They will make the vine flourish (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

The word blossom is the same as in 14:5b “he will blossom like the lily.” See the note there for more information on blossom.

The Hebrew word for vine indicates grape vines as a collective. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

They will blossom like grapevines (God’s Word)
-or-
and be fruitful like a vineyard (Good News Translation)

14:7d

His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon: This clause is more literally “its memorial [will be] like the wine of Lebanon.” There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word for “memorial” that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as renown :

(1) The word means “memorial.” A memorial is something that people remember about a thing or a place. For example:

They will be as famous as the wine of Lebanon. (Good News Translation)

(2) The word means “fragrance.” For example:

their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with a majority of versions. It fits the standard meaning of the Hebrew word. The word “fragrance” is not an actual meaning of the Hebrew word in this clause.

This clause is a simile that compares people’s memory of Israel to people’s memory of the wine of Lebanon. Many people knew about the wine of Lebanon and had a high opinion of it. Likewise, many people will know about Israel and have a high opinion of it.

General Comment on 14:7

Many scholars regard the plural Hebrew forms in this verse to refer to the people of Israel and the singular forms to refer to the nation of Israel. Some versions follow the same singular and plural forms as in Hebrew. For example:

People will reside again in his shade;

They will plant and harvest grain in abundance.

They will blossom like a vine,

And his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon. (NET Bible)

Some other versions change the singular or plural forms, perhaps to make the translation easier to read.

Some versions translate most Hebrew singular and plural forms as singular “he/his.” For example:

Men will dwell again in his shade.

He will flourish like the grain.

He will blossom like a vine,

And his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon. (New International Version)

Some other versions translate most singular and plural forms as plural “they.” For example:

They will live again in God’s shadow.

They will grow like grain.

They will blossom like grapevines.

They will be as famous as the wines from Lebanon. (God’s Word)

The New International Version and the God’s Word translations lose some of the distinctions between the nation of Israel (singular forms) and the people of Israel (plural forms). Translate these forms in a natural way in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2:3

2:3a

Otherwise: This word introduces a list of ways (2:3a–e) that the wife will be punished if she does not stop her immoral behavior.

Here are some other ways to express this relationship in 2:3a:

lest I strip her naked (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
or else I shall strip her bare (Revised English Bible)
-or-
If she refuses, I will strip her. (God’s Word)

Use a natural way in your language to express this relationship.

2:3b

expose her like the day of her birth: When a child is born, it is bare/naked. Instead of making explicit the idea of exposing the woman in public, some versions make explicit the idea of being naked to make the meaning clearer in English. For example:

make her as bare as on the day… (New International Version)
-or-
strip her as naked as she was on the day… (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 2:3a–b

In some languages, it may be clearer to combine the parallel ideas into one line. For example:

I will strip her as naked as she was on the day she was born. (Good News Translation)

2:3c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

3c I will make her like a desert

3d and turn her into a parched land,

In these lines, the husband threatens to deprive his wife of food and water as if she were in a dry desert/wilderness area. A “parched land” is a land that has no water. These statements are figures of speech. They illustrate what the LORD will do to the nation of Israel.

General Comment on 2:3c–d

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

I will make her like a dry and barren land. (Good News Translation)

2:3e

and I will let her die of thirst: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “I should make her die with thirst.” Some versions do not state explicitly that the LORD will cause her death. For example:

she will die of thirst (Good News Translation)

This may be a good option in some languages, if the context clearly implies that the LORD will cause this to happen.

General Comment on 2:3c–e

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

I will leave her to die of thirst, as in a dry and barren wilderness. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 4:7

Paragraph 4:7–11a

In this paragraph, the LORD gave more details about the sinful behavior of the priests (4:7–8). He then described his response to that behavior (4:9–11a).

As in chapter 2, the Hebrew pronouns alternate between “you” and “she.” In 4:4–6 the LORD used “you” when speaking to the priests, but in 4:7–10, he referred to the same priests as “they.” The Berean Standard Bible uses the pronoun “they.” The Good News Translation continues to use “you.” Use a natural way in your language to refer to the priests. Be consistent throughout this paragraph. It should be clear in your translation that the LORD is speaking here to the same group of priests as in 4:4–6.

4:7a

The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me: There is a close connection here between the priests increasing and their sins increasing.

Here are some other ways to express this connection:

Whenever the priests increased, their sins also increased.
-or-
The priests kept increasing. When that happened, they also sinned more and more.

they: The pronoun they refers to the priests.

multiplied: The word multiplied refers partly to an increase in the number of priests. Some versions make this idea explicit. For example:

The more of you priests there are, the more you sin against me (Good News Translation)

However, the word multiplied probably also refers to an increase in their prestige and power. As their power grew, so did their sin and so did their influence to corrupt the people.

Here is another way to express their increase in both numbers and prestige:

The more their numbers and influence grew, the more their sins against me grew.

sinned: In Hebrew, the form of the verb sinned indicates here that the sinful behavior of the priests was habitual. Some versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, use past tense to indicate this. Other versions use present tense. For example:

the more they sin against me (New Living Translation (2004))

Use a natural way in your language to indicate that the sinful pattern of behavior of the priests was already established.

4:7b

This verse part is the result of 4:7a. The result of the priests’ increasing sinfulness is that the LORD will humiliate them. For example:

⌊ therefore⌋will I change their glory into shame (King James Version)
-or-
So I’ll turn their honor into disgrace (Voice)

Most versions leave this relationship implied.

The English Standard Version has been used as the source line for 4:7b, because it follows the textual recommendation regarding the pronoun “I” or “they.” It also follows the recommended interpretation regarding “glory” or “Glory.” Notice that the NET Bible and New Revised Standard Version followed textual option (2), but chose interpretation (1).

(English Standard Version) I will change their glory into shame: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “I will exchange their glory.” This statement continues the pattern that was set in 4:6. The pattern is that the LORD responds to the sin of the priests with a statement of judgment. Here the LORD’s judgment is that he will take away the glory of the priests and give them something disgraceful instead.

(2) An ancient scribal tradition has “They have exchanged their glory.” This tradition is followed by the Targum and by the ancient Syriac translation. In this context, it indicates that the priests rejected their Glory (God) and accepted something disgraceful instead
It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions and commentaries. The MT makes good sense and fits the overall context of the LORD’s punishment of the priests.

(English Standard Version) their glory: There are two main ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It refers to the glory or honor of the priests. It may refer to their wealth and power or to the high status they enjoyed in the eyes of the people. For example:

their dignity (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
your honor (Good News Translation)

(2) It refers to God, the Glory of Israel. This is the way this phrase is understood in Psalm 106:20 and Jeremiah 2:11. For example:

their Glory (New International Version)
-or-
the glory of God (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries. This interpretation better fits the context, because the previous high status of the priests contrasts with their shameful removal from the priesthood.

(English Standard Version) shame: In Hebrew, this word here means disgrace, humiliation, or dishonor. It is the opposite of glory and honor.

Here are some other ways to translate this whole verse part:

I will take away their honor and give them shame. (New Century Version)
-or-
and so I will turn your honor into disgrace (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 6:5

6:5a–c

This verse describes the result of the people’s undependable love described in 6:4. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

5a Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;

5b
I have slain them by the words of My mouth,

5c and my judgments go forth like lightning.

In this verse, the LORD told the people how he responded to their lack of love. He disciplined them severely.

The historical context indicates that he disciplined the people many times over a period of many years. Some English versions use past tense verbs here to allow this understanding. However, the Hebrew verbs in this verse have imperfect tense/aspect, which commonly indicates a present or future time reference.

Translate this in a natural way in your language to indicate it happened regularly over a long period of time and will continue to happen.

Verse 6:4 used the second person pronoun “you” to refer to Ephraim and Judah. In that verse, the LORD addressed the people directly. Here in 6:5, the pronoun changes from “you” to “them.” See the summary of Section 6:4–7:16 above for more information.

6:5a

Therefore: In Hebrew and in some English versions, this verse begins with a word that indicates result. For example:

That’s why I slaughtered you with the words of my prophets. (Contemporary English Version)

Some versions do not introduce the verse with a specific word here. Instead, they let the context imply the relationship between the previous verse and this one. For example:

I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces—to slaughter you with my words (New Living Translation (2004))

Use a natural way in your language to indicate that the LORD’s actions here in 6:5 are the result of the people’s undependable love in 6:4.

I have hewn them by the prophets: This clause is a figure of speech that compares the LORD’s prophets to instruments of death. It means that the words the LORD spoke through his prophets announced his judgment against the people. His judgment was a death sentence. The clause does not mean that the LORD used his prophets to literally cut people in pieces.

6:5b

I have slain them by the words of My mouth: The figure of speech in this clause is similar to the previous clause. It means that the words the LORD spoke through his prophets announced his judgment of death against the people. It is left implied that the phrase the words of My mouth are words that the LORD spoke through his prophets.

General Comment on 6:5a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine the parallel lines. It may also be clearer to translate the nonfigurative meaning. For example:

I have sent my prophets to you with my message of judgment and destruction. (Good News Translation)
-or-
I have warned you by my prophets that I will kill you and destroy you. (New Century Version)

6:5c

and My judgments go forth like lightning: This clause is a simile. It compares the way that the LORD’s judgment goes forth to lightning.

In Hebrew, the word the Berean Standard Bible translates here as lightning can refer to the light of day, dawn, lightning, or a lamp, among other things. The way in which the LORD’s judgment is similar to light is not obvious. There are at least three interpretations:

(1) The simile indicates that the LORD’s judgment will certainly occur. For example:

My judgment will strike you as surely as day follows night. (New Living Translation (1996))

(NET Bible, New Living Translation (1996), New Living Translation (2004))

(2) The simile indicates that the LORD’s judgment/justice is clear and obvious for all to see. For example:

My justice comes out like bright light. (New Century Version)

(Good News Translation, New Century Version)

(3) The simile indicates that the LORD’s judgment destroys people. For example:

My judgments flashed like lightning upon you. (New International Version)

(New International Version)

Most versions leave the similarity between judgment and light implicit. For example:

and my judgment goes forth as the light (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you translate in a way that allows your readers to understand more than one point of similarity. If you need to make the similarity between judgment and lightning/light explicit, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation is similar to 6:3c, which compares the LORD’s coming to the certainty of dawn.

Here is another way to translate this interpretation:

I will punish you as certainly as the arrival of the dawn/daylight.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 8:10

8:10a–c

Verse 10a describes Israel’s attempts to get help from foreign nations. Verse 10b says that God will respond by gathering them to be punished. Verse 10c describes what that punishment will be like.

10a Though they hire allies among the nations,

10b I will now round them up,

10c and they will begin to diminish under the oppression of the king of princes.

8:10a–b

There are two main ways to interpret the relationship between 8:10a and 8:10b:

(1) Verse 8:10a describes an existing situation that leads to the unexpected result in 8:10b. Israel paid other nations to protect them and expected to receive their help. They thought that they would be safe. In spite of what Israel expected, God will still gather them to be punished. For example:

10a Though they hire allies among the nations, 10b I will soon gather them up. (English Standard Version)

(2) Verse 8:10a describes a reason for the expected result in 8:10b. Because of the fact that Israel paid other nations to protect them, the expected result is that God will gather them to be punished. For example:

10a because they have so bargained among the nations, 10b I will now round them up. (Revised English Bible)

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

Here are some other ways to translate the relationship between these two lines:

Even though…I will gather them (God’s Word)
-or-
They have hired…but I will gather them anyway

8:10a

they hire allies among the nations: This statement refers back to 8:9b. See the note there. In 8:9b, “lovers” is part of a metaphor that refers to the nations. Here the word nations is used literally.

Here are some ways to translate this clause:

they hire allies among the nations (English Standard Version)
-or-
they have hired other countries ⌊to protect them ⌋

In some languages, it may not be natural to repeat the same idea from 8:9b. If that is true in your language, you may leave parts of this statement implied. For example:

they did this

8:10b

I will now round them up: In the OT, the LORD sometimes rounds the people up to do something positive. Here he rounds them up for the purpose of judgment. Some versions make the purpose of rounding up explicit. For example:

I will soon gather them together for judgment. (NET Bible)

now: This word probably indicates here that the LORD will gather the people soon, as in the previous NET Bible quote.

General Comment on 8:9b–10b

If you translated 8:9b similar to the Good News Translation, it may be more natural to combine that verse part with 8:10a–b. For example:

…paid other nations to protect them (8:9b). But now I am going to gather them together and punish them. (Good News Translation)

8:10c

they will begin to diminish: There are textual and interpretation issues in this part of the clause. The notes will first discuss the referent of they. Other issues will be discussed separately.

they: There are two ways to interpret the referent of this pronoun:

(1) It refers to the people of Israel in general. It includes the common people as well as the king and princes. For example:

they (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
you (Contemporary English Version)

(2) It refers only to the king and princes of Israel. For example:

the king and princes (English Standard Version)

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

will begin to diminish: The issues in this part of the clause involve textual differences between the Hebrew (MT) and Greek (LXX) texts. They also involve textual and interpretation differences in the words used in the MT. Here is a summary of the main issues:

(1) One combination of words in the MT means “will begin ” + “to diminish ” or “to be few.” It refers to a future decrease in numbers or strength. For example:

and they will begin to diminish (Berean Standard Bible, New American Standard Bible)
-or-
They will become weaker and weaker (New Century Version)

(2) Another combination of words in the MT means “will writhe/suffer ” + “soon ” or “a short while.” It refers to future pain and suffering. For example:

They shall soon writhe (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
They will suffer for a while (God’s Word)

(3) The LXX has “they will cease ” + “a little ” + “from anointing.” It refers to a future period of time when the people will no longer appoint their leaders. For example:

And they shall cease for a little while from anointing (Revised Standard Version)

The Display will follow textual/interpretation option (1) along with many versions and commentaries. This option requires no change in the vowels or consonants of the MT. It also allows for the normal meaning of the second word (“few”).

However, you may also follow option (2). This option is supported by a majority of versions and commentaries. Whichever option you choose, it is suggested that you put the other option in a footnote.

under the oppression of the king of princes: In Hebrew, the phrase under the oppression is literally “from the burden.” Here the word “burden” refers figuratively to various kinds of suffering and hardship that the people will experience in Assyria.

of the king of princes: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “king princes.” (For the word princes, see the note on 8:4b.) There are three main ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) It means “king of princes.” This expression indicates the greatest king. For example:

the great king (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It means “kings and princes.” For example:

kings and rulers (Contemporary English Version)

(Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Revised Standard Version)

(3) It means “king and princes.” For example:

king ⌊and ⌋ officers (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(New American Bible, Revised Edition, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions and commentaries. This interpretation best fits the historical context in which the people of Israel were deported to Assyria.

Some versions make explicit that this phrase refers to the king of Assyria. For example:

the great king of Assyria (New Century Version)
-or-
the emperor of Assyria (Good News Translation)

In many languages, it will be helpful to make this information explicit.

Search

Step into the multitudes of languages of the Bible and join the worldwide conversation!

Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021