SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021 – Page 3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 10:1

Section 10:1–8

Why Israel should be punished

In this section, Hosea gives examples of the sins of Israel. The examples show why it is fair for the LORD to judge them. This section has a similar pattern to section 9:10–17. Both sections give examples from agriculture to illustrate the joyful beginning of the relationship between the LORD and the people of Israel and their shocking response of betrayal against him. In this section, Hosea is the speaker.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

Retribution for Israel’s Sin (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
The Lord ’s judgment against Israel (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Hosea warns Israel that it will be punished

Paragraph 10:1–2

In this paragraph, Hosea describes the changes that have occurred in Israel. In the past, Israel was prosperous and productive. But the people turned away from the LORD to worship false gods. As a result of their sin, the LORD will cause their places of worship to be destroyed.

10:1a

Israel was a luxuriant vine, yielding fruit for himself: This verse part is a metaphor that compares the nation of Israel to a grape vine that produced fruit. The meaning of the metaphor is that Israel was prosperous.

Some versions use present tense to translate this verse part. However, it makes better sense to translate it as a description of a prosperous time in Israel’s past.

Another way to translate this metaphor is to change it to a simile. For example:

The people of Israel are like vines that used to produce fruit. (God’s Word)

luxuriant: In this verse, the word refers to a healthy plant that is growing well.

yielding fruit: The precise meaning of the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as yielding is debated. Here the meaning is probably “to produce” or “to make.”

Here are some ways to translate it:

• Use words that focus on producing or making fruit. For example:

Israel is like a large vine that produced plenty of fruit.
-or-
Israel was a fertile vine that yielded fruit. (English Standard Version)

• Use words that focus on the amount of fruit. For example:

How prosperous Israel is—a luxuriant vine loaded with fruit! (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The people of Israel were like a grapevine that was full of grapes. (Good News Translation)

for himself: The phrase for himself indicates that Israel benefitted from the fruit. Some versions leave this phrase implicit.

10:1b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

1b
The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars.

1c
The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars.

In these lines, the metaphor of Israel as a vine with fruit is replaced by a more literal description of Israel’s past. Both lines describe how Israel used their wealth to honor idols instead of the LORD.

Some versions indicate an explicit contrast between these lines and the previous one. These lines (1b–c) imply that the LORD made Israel prosperous, yet Israel gave credit for their prosperity to idols. Some versions express this contrast with the word “but.” For example:

But the richer the people get, the more pagan altars they build. (New Living Translation (2004))

Indicate this contrast in a natural way in your language.

10:1b

The more his fruit increased, the more he increased the altars: In Hebrew, the first clause is more literally “according to [the] abundance of his fruit.” It introduces a comparison. In this comparison, an increase in fruit results in an increase in the number of altars.

Here are some other ways to translate this comparison:

The more fruit they produced, the more altars they built. (God’s Word)
-or-
Since/Because his supply of fruit increased, he was able to increase the number of his altars.
-or-
He used his wealth to build more altars.

altars: This word refers here to altars that were built for the worship of idols. Some versions make this information explicit. For example:

As the people became richer, they built more altars for idols. (New Century Version)

10:1c

The better his land produced, the better he made the sacred pillars: This verse part is more literally “according to [the] prosperity of his land they made good sacred pillars. The first clause introduces a comparison. In this comparison, an increase in prosperity results in improvement in the sacred pillars.

Here are some other ways to translate this comparison:

Since/Because their land became more prosperous, they put up better sacred pillars.
-or-
They used the wealth from their bountiful harvests to make their stone pillars even more attractive.

the better he made the sacred pillars: In Hebrew, the term sacred pillars is literally “stone pillars.” It refers here to stone pillars that were set up for the worship of idols. Some versions make this information explicit. For example:

stone markers they set up ⌊to honor other gods ⌋ (God’s Word)

See how you translated this term in 3:4b.

In Hebrew, the word translated better he made means “to do something well.” Here it describes pillars that the people built well or that they made attractive in some way.

Here are other ways to translate this word:

he improved his pillars (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-

the more beautiful they made the sacred stone pillars they worship (Good News Translation)
-or-

put up better stone pillars to honor gods (New Century Version)

General Comment on 10:1a–c

Some cultures may not use figures of speech from agriculture in this way. If that is true in your language, it may be preferable to translate the meanings directly. For example:

The people of Israel were prosperous and increased in number. As their wealth increased, they built more altars. As their land prospered, they improved their sacred stone pillars.

© 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 12:6

12:6a–c

Notice the parallel parts that are related in meaning:

6a
But you must return to your God,

6b
maintaining love and justice,

6c and always waiting on your God.

In these lines, Hosea urges the descendants of Jacob to return to the LORD. In the first line, he gives a general command. In the second and third lines he explains the actions that their return to God should include.

12:6a

But: The Hebrew clause has a word that connects this verse to the previous verses. Here are some acceptable ways to understand how this verse connects to the previous ones:

• As a response. The logical response of the people to the actions of their ancestor Jacob and to the greatness of God is to turn to God. For example:

Therefore, return to your God (New American Standard Bible)
-or-

So return to your God (Contemporary English Version)

• As a contrast. Hosea urged the people to turn to God. This contrasts with Jacob, who struggled with God. For example:

But you must return to your God (NET Bible)

Some versions do not explicitly connect this verse to the previous ones. They leave the logical connection implied. For example:

You must return to your God! (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

Translate the connection to the previous verse in a natural way in your language.

you…your: In Hebrew, the pronouns you and your are singular. Most versions and commentaries regard them as collective singular pronouns that refer to the people of Israel in Hosea’s time. The Display will use “you/your” plural, referring to the people.

you must return to your God: In Hebrew, this command is more literally “in your God you will return.” There are two main interpretations of this command:

(1) God is the goal or destination to which they must return. For example:

You must return to your God (God’s Word)

(2) God will help them return. This interpretation does not assume that the people are to return to God. It may refer to a return to love and justice as described in 6b. For example:

Turn back with God’s help (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. In some languages, the subject you can be left implied. For example:

So now, come back to your God (New Living Translation (2004))

12:6b

maintaining love and justice: The Hebrew word for maintaining in this context means to “keep” or obey God’s commands to show love and justice.

love: This is the same Hebrew word Hosea uses elsewhere. See the comment on “loving devotion” under 4:1c. It is a primary attitude and behavior required by God’s covenant with Israel.

justice: The Hebrew word for justice is also found elsewhere in Hosea. Here the meaning is the same as in 10:4b, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “judgment.” It refers to legal transactions and conduct that are fair and just.

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate “love” and justice using different forms of the words. For example:

Be loyal and just (Good News Translation)

12:6c

and always waiting on your God: This clause urges the people to wait for God to save and protect them. It implies an attitude of faith and trust in God instead of other sources of security. The Hebrew word for always means “lasting” or “continually.”

waiting: In Hebrew, this word refers to patient, trustful endurance. The same Hebrew word is often translated in other places as “hope.” Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

and always trust in him as your God (New Century Version)
-or-
Patiently trust him (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and always depend on him (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:8

Paragraph 14:8

This paragraph summarizes some major themes of the book of Hosea:

(a) The LORD is Israel’s true God and will not tolerate the worship of idols.

(b) The LORD is the one who takes care of Israel.

14:8a

O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols?: There are textual issues that have to do with the speaker in this rhetorical question:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “Ephraim what to me again to idols.” In this question to Ephraim, the LORD expresses his own attitude toward idols. For example:

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) Some scholars think that the original words were “Ephraim what to you again to idols.” This question functions as a command that the LORD gives to Ephraim/Israel. He tells Ephraim to avoid idols. For example:

O Israel, stay away from idols! (New Living Translation (2004))

(3) The LXX has “As for Ephraim—what is there any longer between him and idols?” This question functions as indirect speech. The LORD states that Ephraim will avoid idols. For example:

The people of Ephraim will have nothing more to do with idols. (God’s Word)

(4) The Peshitta has “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do again/any_more with idols?’” In this question, Ephraim expresses his own attitude toward idols. For example:

Ephraim [shall say]: “What more have I to do with idols? (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with a majority of versions and commentaries. It makes good sense and does not require changes to the MT.

This clause is a rhetorical question that expects a negative answer. What do I have in common with idols anymore? Nothing! Since the LORD expresses this attitude to Ephraim, it clearly implies that Ephraim also should have nothing to do with idols.

The rhetorical question includes a Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as anymore. In this expression, the Hebrew word means “more” or “further.” A literal translation of this word may incorrectly imply that the LORD had something in common with idols in the past but he will have nothing to do with them in the future. However, the LORD never had anything in common with idols.

Here are some ways to avoid the wrong meaning and to translate the rhetorical question. Each bullet gives an example of a question and a statement.

• Make explicit that he had nothing in common with idols in the past. The word “ever” or “never” implies that the same is true in the present and will be true in the future. For example:

Ephraim, what have I ever had to do with idols?
-or-
O Ephraim, I have never had anything in common with idols!

• Make explicit that he has nothing in common with idols. Leave it implied that the same was true in the past and will be true in the future. For example:

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Ephraim, I have nothing to do with idols.

Use a natural way in your language to translate this rhetorical question.

14:8b

It is I who answer and watch over him: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “I I [will] answer and I [will] watch over him.” In Hebrew, the pronoun I has emphasis. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this with It is I. Indicate this emphasis on the LORD in a natural way in your language.

The verbs in this clause use a form that indicates certainty. Many versions translate this clause with present tense. Some versions have future tense. For example:

It is I who answer and look after you. (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I will answer their prayers and take care of them (Good News Translation)

Translate this clause to indicate certainty in a natural way in your language.

answer:
This word means answer or “respond.” This clause does not say whom the LORD answers. However, this same clause also says “watch over him.” So some versions supply the same pronoun here. For example:

I will answer him and care for him (NET Bible)

The word answer probably implies a response to the needs or the prayers of his people. Some versions make this implication explicit. For example:

I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.

watch over him: In this clause, the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as watch over him means “watchful care” or “protecting.”

14:8c

I am like a flourishing cypress: This clause is a simile that compares the LORD to a tree. In this comparison the tree may represent one or more of the following characteristics:

(a) life

(b) fertility

(d) shelter

flourishing: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as flourishing means “leafy” or “luxuriant.” Here are some other ways to translate this word:

luxuriant (NET Bible)
-or-
evergreen (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
green (New International Version)

cypress: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cypress can mean “fir,” “cypress,” “juniper,” or “pine.” We cannot know which of these trees the word means here. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

I am like a green pine tree (New International Version)
-or-
I am that glorious tree (Contemporary English Version)

14:8d

your fruit comes from Me: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “from me your fruit is found.” The word order gives emphasis to the phrase from Me. For example:

from me comes your fruit. (Revised Standard Version)
-or-

It is from me that your fruit comes.

Indicate this emphasis on the LORD in a natural way in your language.

fruit: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fruit can mean the fruit of trees or vines. When it refers to people it can mean offspring, or the result of actions. Here the word may include all these meanings. Some versions say this in another way. For example:

I am the source of all their blessings. (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 14:8b–d

In Hebrew, 14:8b–d refers to Ephraim using third person “him” and second person “your.” In some languages, it is more natural to make the forms more consistent throughout 8b–d. For example:

8b I will answer your prayers and take care of you. 8c I am that glorious tree, 8d the source of your fruit. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

8b I will answer their prayers and take care of them. 8c Like an evergreen tree I will shelter them; 8d I am the source of all their blessings.” (Good News Translation)

Translate these word forms in a natural way in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2:4

2:4a

I will have no compassion on her children: Here the topic changes from the mother to her children. Some versions indicate this change by adding a word such as “also.” For example:

Upon her children also I will have no mercy (English Standard Version)

You may want to do the same thing to help your readers notice the change of topic.

her children: This phrase refers literally to Gomer’s children. It also refers symbolically to the individual Israelites.

I will have no compassion: In Hebrew, the verb have…compassion is the same verb that was used in 1:6c. See how you translated it in that verse.

on her children: In 2:2a, the LORD says, “your mother” when he speaks to the children. Here in 2:4a, he speaks to the same group of people, but he refers to them as her children instead of “you children.” In some languages, it may be clearer to use the pronoun “you” here. For example:

You children…, I’ll show you no pity. (Contemporary English Version)

2:4b

because: This conjunction introduces the reason that the LORD will not show his love to her children. Some English versions translate it as “for” or because. Other versions leave this conjunction implied. Use a natural way in your language to introduce a reason.

they are the children of adultery: This is the reason that the LORD will not show his love to her children. The children were born to an immoral mother and shared the disgrace of their association with her.

In Hebrew, this expression is almost identical to the phrase “children of adultery” in 1:2b. The only difference is that a different Hebrew word for children is used. You should translate it in a way that is consistent with your translation there.

Here is another way to translate this clause here:

they are the children of a prostitute (New Century Version)

General Comment on 2:4a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these verse parts. Notice that if the order is changed, it may be necessary to use a different conjunction between 2:4a and 2:4b. For example:

4b As for you children, your mother is a prostitute, 4a so I will show you no pity.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 4:8

4:8a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

8a They feed on the sins of My people

8b and set their hearts on iniquity.

Line 4:8a is the reason for 4:8b. The reason that the priests set their hearts on iniquity (4:8b) is that the priests feed on their sins (4:8a). The priests wanted the sins of the people to increase, in order that they might receive a greater supply of sacrificial meat to eat. Some versions make explicit that 4:8a is the reason for 4:8b. For example:

8a Since the priests live off the sin offerings of the people, 8b they want the people to sin more and more. (New Century Version)

4:8a

They feed on the sins of My people: In Hebrew, the word sins has a double meaning here. One meaning is sins, and a second meaning is “sin offerings.” Sin offerings were animals that the people brought to the priest to be sacrificed for sin. The laws in the book of Leviticus allowed the priests to eat a portion of these sacrificial animals. See Leviticus 6:24–30.

The double meaning of sins makes this clause a play on words. The priests were feeding on the people’s sins by eating the sin offerings that the people brought. The New Living Translation (1996) translates both parts of the double meaning:

The priests get fed when the people sin and bring their sin offerings to them (New Living Translation (1996))

Most versions do not include both meanings of this word play. Instead, they translate one of the meanings and leave the other meaning implied. For example:

they feed on the sin of my people (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
They feed on the sin offerings of my people (NET Bible)

The clause may imply that the priests were eating large quantities of the meat from the sacrifices. For example:

you can stuff yourselves on their sin offerings (Contemporary English Version)

It may also be a figure of speech (synecdoche) that represents a prosperous lifestyle. For example:

You grow rich from the sins of my people (Good News Translation)

4:8b

set their hearts on iniquity: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as set their hearts is literally “they lift up their throat/appetite.” This is a Hebrew idiom that emphasizes a person’s desire or greed. In this phrase, it means that they intensely desired the people to sin against the LORD.

Some versions keep a figurative word such as “appetite” or “greed” because of the connection with eating the sin offerings (4:8a). For example:

their appetites long for their iniquity (NET Bible)
-or-
they are greedy for their iniquity (New Revised Standard Version)

Other versions translate the meaning without using a figurative term. For example:

you want them to sin more and more (Good News Translation)
-or-
they want them to do wicked things (God’s Word)

General Comment on 4:8a–b

In some languages, it will be more natural to put 4:8b first and the reason second. For example:

8b You encourage others to sin, 8a so you can stuff yourselves on their sin offerings. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 6:6

6:6a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

6a For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,

6b and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

For: In this verse, the LORD explained to the people of Israel what he wanted from them. He told them the reason for his frustration and the motive for his discipline. The Hebrew text and some English versions indicate explicitly that this verse is an explanation or reason. For example:

For I desire steadfast love…. (New Revised Standard Version)

Some versions rely on the context to clarify the relationship between the previous verses and this one. They do not indicate the relationship explicitly. For example:

I want your constant love, not your animal sacrifices. (Good News Translation)

Use a natural way in your language to indicate that this verse tells the reason for the LORD’s feelings and actions in the previous verses.

I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings: In these lines, the LORD told the people of Israel what was important to him. He wanted them to faithfully love him and one another. He also wanted them to show by their attitudes and actions that they truly knew him. Otherwise, he would not accept their sacrifices and burnt offerings.

It is implied from the previous context that the people did not show that they truly knew him. It is also implied that the kind of sacrifices and burnt offerings that the LORD rejected were mere rituals. He did not want the people to offer sacrifices at all, if the sacrifices were not accompanied by a loving relationship with him.

You may want to add a footnote that cross-references 1 Samuel 15:22 and Psalm 51:16–19. These verses have similar ideas.

mercy: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mercy is the same word that it translates as “loving devotion” in 4:1c. See the note on that verse for the different aspects of meaning. Here it may refer particularly to faithful love for God that results in a concern for others. Translate this term in a way that fits naturally in the context.

the knowledge of God: See the notes on 4:1d and 5:4c, where this phrase has the same meaning.

God: The Hebrew word here is elohim and not Yahweh. Versions indicate this by translating this word as God and not as “LORD.”

sacrifice…burnt offerings: The parallel terms sacrifice and burnt offerings refer to animal sacrifices that the people offered to God.

The word sacrifice is the general word for an offering to God. The phrase burnt offerings refers to animals that were completely burned as offerings to God.

General Comment on 6:6a–b

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

It is not your animal sacrifices that I care about. What I want is for you to know me, your God, and to show love to me and others.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 8:11

Paragraph 8:11–14

This paragraph describes how the people of Israel sinned when they offered sacrifices to the LORD. There is a contrast between the many altars that the people built for sinning (8:11) and the many teachings that the LORD wrote for the people’s good (8:12). In both situations, the people rejected what God wanted them to do. As a result, the LORD did not accept their sacrifices (8:13), so their cities faced total destruction (8:14).

8:11

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

11a “Though Ephraim multiplied the altars for sin,

11b
they became his altars for sinning.

In Hebrew, these clauses are more literally:

11a…Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning,

11b
they have become for him altars for sinning.

The same Hebrew word, “sinning,” is used in each line. However, in 11a, the word probably means “to sacrifice an animal as a sin offering.” In 11b, it probably means “to sin.”

8:11a–b

There are two main ways to interpret the relationship between 8:11a and 8:11b:

(1) Verse 8:11a describes an existing situation that led to the unexpected result in 8:11b. The people built many altars as places to offer their sin offerings, so they expected the Lord to take away their sin. Instead, the altars became places where their sin increased. For example:

11a “Although Israel built more altars to remove sin, 11b they have become altars for sinning. (New Century Version)

(2) Verse 8:11a describes the situation that caused the result in 8:11b. There is no emphasis on whether the result was expected or not. For example:

11a Because Ephraim has multiplied altars for sinning, 11b they have become to him altars for sinning. (English Standard Version)

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

Here are some other ways to translate the relationship between 8:11a and 8:11b:

• Emphasize the unexpected consequence in 8:11b. For example:

Although Ephraim has built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning! (NET Bible)
-or-
When Ephraim multiplied altars to expiate sin, they became to him altars for sinning. (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Israel has built many altars to take away sin, but these very altars became places for sinning!

• Emphasize the direct relation between the number of altars and the number of places for sinning. For example:

The more altars the people of Israel build for removing sin, the more places they have for sinning! (Good News Translation)

Use a natural way in your language to indicate one of these options.

8:11b

they became his altars for sinning: Here are some other ways to translate this line:

they became places where people’s sins increased when they offered sacrifices
-or-
they became altars where people committed various kinds of sin when they sacrificed

became: The word became indicates that the function of the altars changed. They were now places that violated God’s original command. In Deuteronomy 12, God repeatedly commanded that all twelve tribes worship him at one location with one altar. The people disobeyed God’s command in at least two ways: they built many altars, and they often sacrificed to false gods on these altars.

In some languages, it may be helpful to make some of this information explicit. For example:

these altars became places where people increased their sins ⌊by disobeying God’s commands ⌋.

It may also be helpful to add a footnote that gives some of the OT context. Here is a suggested footnote:

See Deuteronomy 12:5–6, 11, 13–14. In these verses, God commanded that the people from all twelve tribes of Israel worship him in one location and offer sacrifices to him on one altar. He wanted them to be different from the Canaanite people around them who worshiped false gods at many different altars.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 10:12

Paragraph 10:12–15

Hosea is the speaker in this paragraph. He speaks to the people directly, using second person pronouns such as “you” and “yourselves.” He urges the people to seek the LORD instead of sinning as in their past. He also warns them how terrible the future judgment will be.

10:12–13

In 10:12–13, there is a new metaphor that compares Israel to a farmer. This replaces the metaphor of Israel as a heifer in 10:11.

10:12a–c

10:12a–c is a saying about sowing and reaping. It has a different purpose from the saying about sowing and reaping in Hosea 8:7a–b. Here Hosea urges the people to begin living righteous lives.

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

12a
Sow for yourselves righteousness

12b and reap the fruit of loving devotion;

12c
break up your unplowed ground.

10:12a–b

Sow for yourselves righteousness and reap the fruit of loving devotion: This is a metaphor. It compares people who live in righteous ways to people who plant seeds and then harvest a crop. People who plant seeds of righteousness will harvest a crop of unfailing love.

Here are some ways to translate these two commands:

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Sow justice, and reap loyalty. (Revised English Bible)

Here are three ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. (New Living Translation (2004))

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

You should be people who are righteous, like someone who plants good seeds. The crop that you harvest later will be like a crop of love.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

Live righteous lives and love will be the result.

10:12a

Sow for yourselves righteousness: To sow/plant righteousness is a figurative way to tell people to live righteous lives. righteousness is behavior that is fair and proper and conforms to the standards of the LORD’s covenant with Israel. It especially concerns good relationships between people. The meaning of the Hebrew word for righteousness includes being loyal, honest and just.

Here are other ways to translate this command:

Plant goodness (New Century Version)
-or-
Sow saving justice for yourselves (New Jerusalem Bible)

Sow: This word implies planting seeds. Some versions make “seeds” explicit. For example:

I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
scatter seeds of justice (Contemporary English Version)

for yourselves: In Hebrew, this phrase emphasizes the importance of the command for the people Hosea is addressing. Some versions, including the New Living Translation (2004) and Contemporary English Version quoted above, do not make this phrase explicit.

10:12b

reap the fruit of loving devotion:
This clause is a figurative way to tell people that righteous conduct will result in love.

reap the fruit: The word reap normally means to harvest ripened grain or fruit. Some versions make it explicit that love is a figurative crop or fruit. For example:

and you will harvest a crop of love (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
harvest the fruit of loyalty (New Century Version)

loving devotion: This is the kind of love that conforms to the standards of the LORD’s covenant with Israel. The meaning of the Hebrew word for loving devotion includes being loyal, faithful, gracious, kind and merciful. See also the note on “loving devotion” at 4:1c.

Here are other ways to translate this clause:

harvest faithfulness (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Reap loyalty (Revised English Bible)

10:12c

break up your unplowed ground: This command is part of the metaphor in 12a–b that compares the people of Israel to people who plant seeds and then harvest a crop. In order to plant seeds they must first prepare the ground by loosening up the soil. In this metaphor the hard, unplowed ground is similar to the people’s stubborn hearts or minds. That hardness must become soft. Then they will be willing to start living according to righteousness and love.

The Hebrew clause is more literally “plow for yourselves unplowed-ground.” See the note on “for yourselves” under 12a–b above.

Here are some ways to translate this command:

• Keep the metaphor. Make the implicit similarity explicit if it will be helpful. For example:

Plow up the hard ground of your hearts (New Living Translation (2004))

• Change the metaphor to a simile. Make the implicit similarity explicit if it will be helpful. For example:

Loosen your hard hearts/livers like people break up hard ground for planting.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

Open your hearts/minds and start following the ways of the LORD.

General Comment on 10:12a–c

In some languages, it may be confusing that the command to prepare the ground in 12c follows the commands to sow and reap in 12a–b. A farmer will normally break up unplowed ground first, before he sows and reaps. For that reason, it may be preferable to rearrange the order of these three clauses. See 10:12a–c (combined/reordered) in the Display.

10:12d

For it is time to seek the LORD: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “and it is time.” For example:

break up your fallow ground; It is time to seek the Lord (Revised English Bible)

(2) The LXX has “of knowledge.” For example:

plow the new ground of knowledge (New Century Version)

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

In the Hebrew text, this clause begins with a conjunction that often means “and.” However, in this context, it probably introduces a reason. The reason to sow righteousness, reap love and break up hard ground is because it is time to seek him. Some versions make it clear that this is a reason by using a word such as “for.” For example:

Break up the unplowed ground for yourselves, for it is time to seek the LORD (NET Bible)

Some versions leave it implied that this is a reason. Some use punctuation to indicate it. For example, the New Jerusalem Bible has a colon that implies reason:

break up your fallow ground: it is time to seek out Yahweh (New Jerusalem Bible)

it is time: This phrase indicates that the people should not delay to seek the LORD. The words may add a sense of urgency to the command. Some versions make this urgency explicit. For example:

for now is the time to seek the Lord (New Living Translation (2004))

to seek the LORD: This phrase implies serious and persistent effort. It may refer to a time of distress or crisis in which the people turn away from their sin and turn to him in order to worship and serve him. For more information on what it means to seek the LORD, see the note on 3:5a.

10:12e

until He comes and sends righteousness upon you like rain: In this clause, Hosea tells the people how long they should seek the LORD and what his response will be when they seek him.

until He comes: They should seek the LORD until He comes. This phrase is a figurative way to say that the LORD will restore his relationship with them. He will be gracious to them again. This statement implies that previously the LORD had withdrawn from them. See 5:6 and 5:15 for more information.

and sends righteousness upon you like rain: More literally, this clause part says “he will rain down righteousness on you.” The words like rain or showers imply that the righteousness he gives is refreshing and life-giving. The phrase indicates that the LORD will treat them justly and bless them according to what is right.

The word righteousness here is the same Hebrew word as in 12a, that the people are to sow. For the meaning of this word see the note on “Sow for yourselves righteousness” in 10:12a.

Here are some other ways to translate 10:12e:

until he comes and pours goodness on you like water. (New Century Version)
-or-
and I will come and pour out blessings upon you. (Good News Translation)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 10:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 12:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2:4

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 4:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 6:6

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 8:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 10:12

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American Bible Society