Paragraph 10:5–8

In this paragraph, Hosea tells how the LORD will punish the people of Israel. He will cause the Assyrian army to take away the calf idol at Bethel and destroy the altars where they worshiped idols. The Assyrians will also take captive the king of Samaria. The people’s response will be to mourn the loss of their calf idol and to beg to die.

10:5a

The people of Samaria:
In this verse, Samaria, the capital of Israel, is a figure of speech that represents the nation of Israel. Some versions make the name “Israel” explicit here. For example:

The people from Israel (New Century Version)

will fear for the calf: The expression fear for means to be concerned about someone or something. The calf refers to an idol shaped like a calf. Here it refers to the people’s concern about their calf-idol. They are fearful that the Assyrians will take it away from them. The phrase does not mean that the calf-idol frightens them.

Here are some other ways to translate 10:5a:

The people of Samaria tremble in fear for their calf idol (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
the people from Israel are worried about the calf-shaped idol (New Century Version)

Beth-aven: The term Beth-aven means “house of wickedness.” This is the name that Hosea normally uses for “Bethel.” See also the note on Beth-aven in 4:15b.

10:5b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

5b Indeed, its people will mourn

5c
with its idolatrous priests —

There is an ellipsis (deliberate omission) in 10:5c. In some languages, it will be necessary to supply the missing verb from 10:5b. For example:

5c and its idolatrous priests ⌊will mourn ⌋ over it also,

Priests as well as people mourned over the loss of the calf-idol.

10:5b

Indeed, its people will mourn: In Hebrew, this clause begins with the word ki. In this context, some scholars think that it indicates emphasis. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this emphasis explicitly.

Most versions leave the relationship implied. You may follow either approach. The Display will give an example of each.

its people: There are two main ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) The pronoun its refers to Samaria. The phrase its people refers to Samaria’s people, the residents there. For example:

the people there will mourn for it (New Jerusalem Bible)

(Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, New Century Version, NET Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible)

(2) The pronoun its refers to the calf. The phrase its people refers to the calf’s people, the people who worship the calf. For example:

those that worship the calf will mourn over it

The Notes and Display will follow interpretation (1). However either interpretation is acceptable. Both interpretations describe the same people. The difference is that interpretation (1) focuses more on their place of residence. Interpretation (2) focuses more on their devotion to the idol. Many versions are ambiguous.

will mourn: This phrase means that the people will express their sorrow over the loss of their calf idol. Normally people mourn when a family member or other loved one dies. Mourning was usually expressed in a way that others could see and hear.

10:5c

with its idolatrous priests: In Hebrew, the phrase idolatrous priests is a single word. It is used only for pagan priests. This line refers to the priests that were associated with the worship of the calf idol.

The pronoun referent in the phrase its idolatrous priests is parallel to the phrase “its people” in 10:5b, so the referent of both phrases is probably Samaria. For example:

5b
Samaria’s people mourn over it

5c
and Samaria’s pagan priests wail for it

10:5d

those who rejoiced in its glory: In Hebrew, this line is a clause that is more literally “they rejoice on its glory.” This line further describes the mourners in 10:5b–c. They normally rejoice over the calf’s splendor.

The rejoicing of the people in 10:5d contrasts with their mourning in 10:b-c. In Hebrew, the form of the verb “rejoice” here indicates incomplete or continuous action. In this context, it may refer to habitual rejoicing in the past or in the present.

Here are some ways to show this contrast:

• Use past tense. One example is the Berean Standard Bible above. Here are other examples:

those who rejoiced over it and over its glory (English Standard Version)
-or-
They used to shout for joy about its glory (New Century Version)

• Use a clause that indicates an unexpected result. For example:

Those that worship the calf will mourn over it, although they now praise its glory with joy.

those who rejoiced: The last antecedent of those is “its idolatrous priests.” But since “its people” and “its idolatrous priests” are parallel terms, it probably refers to both these groups, not only to the priests. Many versions are ambiguous. You should either translate in a way that is ambiguous or in a way that can refer to both these groups.

rejoiced: There is a textual issue with this word:

(1) The Hebrew word in the Masoretic text means “rejoice.” For example:

They used to shout for joy about its glory (New Century Version)

(2) Some scholars think that the original text was “cry/wail.” For example:

They will wail when it is stripped of its golden splendor. (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). The LXX also supports this option. There is no support for option (2) from Hebrew manuscripts or ancient versions.

its glory: This refers to the glory or splendor of the calf. The term glory here could indicate that those who worshiped the calf thought that it was a deity. It could also refer to a physical attribute such as beauty or to its monetary value.

Here are some other ways to translate its glory :

its deity/godlikeness
-or-
its beauty/magnificence
-or-
its great value

In some languages, it may be appropriate and natural to use more than one of these terms.

General Comment on 10:5b–d

10:5b–c describes action in the near future. 10:5d describes action in the past or perhaps both past and present. In some languages, it may be more natural to rearrange the verse parts to first describe past and present action before speaking of future action. For example:

5b–c The people and priests 5d rejoice now over the glory of the calf-idol 5b–c but they will soon mourn over it.

10:5e–6a

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning.

10:5e for it has been taken from them into exile.

10:6a Yes, it will be carried to Assyria as tribute to the great king.

These lines give the reason why the people mourned and why they could no longer rejoice over the glory of the calf. It is because that glory will be taken away when the calf is taken into exile.

10:5e

for it has been taken from them into exile: In Hebrew, this clause begins with the word ki (see 10:5b). Here ki introduces the reason that the people mourned. Many versions translate it with the word for or “because.” Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.

The Hebrew clause is more literally: “it has departed (or “gone into exile”) from it.” Each pronoun has more than one possible referent. Also the Hebrew verb can mean either “depart/leave” or “go into exile.” For these reasons, there are various ways to interpret this clause.

Here are two main interpretations:

(1) “It” (the glory) has left “it” (the calf idol). For example:

its glory will be taken away into captivity. (God’s Word)
-or-
the glory that has departed from it. (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) “It” (the calf idol) has gone into exile from “it” (Beth-aven or Israel). The idol is taken to Assyria either as plunder or as a gift for the king of Assyria. For example:

for the image of their god which is carried away into exile. (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions. It makes good sense to understand the Hebrew pronouns here to refer to the calf and the calf’s glory as in 10:5d. However, interpretation (2) is also acceptable. It makes good sense if 10:6a is understood to be parallel to 10:5e.

© 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.

12:10

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

10a
I spoke through the prophets

10b and multiplied their visions;

10c
I gave parables through the prophets.

In these lines, the LORD continues to speak. He tells the people that he has communicated in various ways by means of his prophets.

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

Here the connection to the previous verse is unclear. These are some possibilities:

(a) This verse expands on 12:9a. The LORD led them out of Egypt through his prophet Moses. The LORD continued to guide and teach them through other prophets in the years afterward.

(b) This verse gives a reason why the LORD will make them live in tents again. They knew what the LORD expected from them. He clearly revealed his expectations through the prophets.

(c) This verse is information that is secondary to the main prophecy. It is only loosely connected to the surrounding verses.

Many versions leave the connection of this verse to the previous one implied. Use a natural way in your language to indicate the connection of this verse to 12:9.

12:10a

I spoke through the prophets: This phrase may indicate that the LORD gave the prophets authority to speak as his representatives. Here is another way to make that explicit:

I sent my prophets to warn you (New Living Translation (2004))

12:10b

and multiplied their visions: This clause refers to the many visions that the LORD gave to the prophets throughout Israel’s history. In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “and I, I multiplied visions.” The explicit pronoun “I” at the front of the clause may indicate emphasis. Here are two ways that versions indicate this emphasis:

I myself revealed many visions (NET Bible)
-or-
It was I who gave vision after vision (Revised English Bible)

visions: The Hebrew word can mean either “vision” or word of “revelation.”

12:10c

I gave parables through the prophets: This clause is more literally “and by/through the hand of the prophets I gave parables.” The Hebrew expression “by/through the hand of” indicates the means by which something is done.

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

(1) The word means to tell parables or to use figures of speech. For example:

and told parables through the them (New International Version)

(2) The word means to ruin/destroy. For example:

and through the prophets I will bring destruction (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most versions follow this view, and it fits the context of the parallel lines well.

Some versions make explicit the purpose of giving parables. The purpose is to teach. For example:

I taught lessons through the prophets. (God’s Word)

© 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.

Paragraph 2:8–13

In this paragraph, Hosea continues to use the image of an adulterous wife to represent the unfaithful nation of Israel. The LORD will punish the Israelites for their worship of the false god Baal. They trusted Baal to provide for their needs instead of trusting the LORD. Similarly, Hosea will punish Gomer, because she was unfaithful to him.

The notes and translation advice in this paragraph focus mainly on the way that the LORD intends to punish Israel. So you may want to add a footnote to remind your readers that this paragraph also refers to the way that Hosea will punish his wife Gomer.

2:8a

she does not acknowledge: The Hebrew verb that is used here can mean either “know” or “acknowledge/admit.” So there are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) “She does not acknowledge.” She (Israel) knew the truth, but she refused to admit that her husband (the LORD) was the one who supplied her needs. For example:

she would never acknowledge (Good News Translation)
-or-
she has refused to acknowledge (NET Bible)

(2) “She did not know.” She (Israel) was not aware that her husband (the LORD) provided her food. For example:

she did not know (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
she had never realized before (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most commentaries. Verse 2:7d implies that Israel did know that the LORD had been her provider in the past.

2:8b

that it was I who gave her: In Hebrew, the pronoun I that is used here indicates emphasis. The Berean Standard Bible expresses this emphasis by using special wording.

Other languages may be able to use an emphatic pronoun. Use a natural way in your language to express this emphasis.

grain, new wine, and oil: These three items are often listed together in the Old Testament (for example, Deuteronomy 7:13). They were basic products of agriculture that the nation depended upon to sustain them. Together they represented everything that the LORD had provided for the Israelites.

grain: This word refers to any kind of grain. In languages that do not have a general word for grain, here are two other options:

• Use the word for a specific grain crop, such as wheat or rice.

• Use a more general term, such as “crop” or “what is harvested.”

new wine: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as new wine refers to wine that has been pressed recently from grapes. It is not yet fermented or is just beginning to ferment.

Here is another way to translate this word:

fresh wine

Some versions do not specify new wine, probably because the emphasis is on the LORD’s provision of the wine, not on its age. If it is awkward to express the concept of newly made wine, you may want to use a more general term. For example:

wine (New Revised Standard Version)

wine: wine is an alcoholic drink. It is made from the juice of a fruit called grapes. When grape juice ferments, it becomes wine.

In some areas, people may not be familiar with grapes or with wine.

If that is true in your area, here are some other ways to translate wine :

• Use a specific term for another alcoholic drink made from fruit. For example:

pomegranate wine
-or-
a drink like palm wine

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

fruit juice/water
-or-
grape juice

oil: See the note in 2:5d.

2:8c

who lavished on her: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lavished is literally “multiplied.” It indicates that the LORD gave it generously.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

giving her more and more (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I gave her much (New Century Version)

silver and gold—which they crafted for Baal: These two phrases describe the unexpected way in which the people used the silver and gold that the LORD gave them. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crafted is a somewhat general verb for action taken on an item. It could mean “to do,” “to use,” or “to make.” It does not indicate specifically how the people used silver and gold for Baal. They may have used it to make idols of Baal, but they may also have used it in other ways that were related to Baal worship. For that reason, you should use a general phrase to translate this statement. For example:

which they used for Baal (New International Version)
-or-
which they have spent on Baal (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
which they used in worshiping Baal (NET Bible)

Some versions use punctuation marks to emphasize the fact that the Israelite’s behavior was unexpected. It was the LORD who gave them these gifts, but instead they used the gifts to honor a false god. For example, the NET Bible uses a hyphen and exclamation mark for emphasis:

silver and gold—which they used in worshiping Baal! (NET Bible)

The New Century Version creates similar emphasis by using the word “but”:

I gave her much silver and gold, but she used it for Baal. (New Century Version)

Use a natural way in your language to emphasize that this behavior was unexpected.

they: The preceding pronouns “she/her” in 2:8a–c refer to the nation or people of Israel. The following pronouns in 2:9b–10a are the same. Here in 2:8c, the pronoun they is used. You should use a phrase or pronoun in your language that clearly refers to the nation or people of Israel.

© 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.

4:12a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

12a
My people consult their wooden idols

12b and their divining rods inform them.

These lines show that the people of Israel no longer sought guidance from the LORD. Instead they turned to idols and divination to guide them.

4:12a

My people consult their wooden idols: To consult their wooden idols means to ask an idol carved from wood to guide them. For example:

ask their wooden idols for help (God’s Word)

4:12b

and their divining rods inform them: The people did some kind of divination using a wooden stick or rod to obtain an answer to their requests.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

A piece of wood tells them what to do (God’s Word)
-or-
they ask those sticks of wood to advise them (New Century Version)

General Comment on 4:12a–b

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

You expect wooden idols and other objects of wood to give you advice. (Contemporary English Version)

4:12c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

12c For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray

12d and they have played the harlot against their God.

In these lines the LORD said that the people’s devotion to prostitution had led them away from devotion to him. See the General Comment on 4:12c–d at the end of 4:12d for ways to translate the literal and figurative meanings of prostitution in these parallel lines.

4:12c

For: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason why the people seek guidance from wooden idols and divination instead of the LORD. It is because a spirit of prostitution has led them away from him. Other translations leave this connection implied. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.

a spirit of prostitution: In this context, this phrase probably refers to a strong desire to be immoral. It probably does not refer to a demon or evil spirit. For example:

an urge to go whoring (New Jerusalem Bible)

leads them astray: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as leads them astray is literally “has-caused-to-wander.” It indicates here that the people’s desire to be immoral has led or caused them to do what is wrong. The form of the Hebrew verb indicates that the people had been led astray in the past and were still being led astray. The Berean Standard Bible uses present tense to translate this idea. Some versions use past tense forms. For example:

an urge to go whoring has led them astray (New Jerusalem Bible)

4:12d

and they have played the harlot against their God: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “and they have committed fornication from under their God.” It means here that the people rejected the authority of the LORD and devoted themselves to idolatry and self-indulgence instead.

General Comment on 4:12c–d

Some verse parts in the following context (4:13a–c) focus on idolatry. Other verse parts (4:13d–e) focus on the literal prostitution that was part of idol worship. If possible, your translation of “spirit of prostitution” and “played the harlot against their God” in 4:12c–d should include both meanings.

It is suggested that you use at least one expression that refers to sexual unfaithfulness between people. Use other expressions that refer to idolatry or unfaithfulness to God. In the following examples, sexual unfaithfulness will be marked with an underline. Idolatry or unfaithfulness to God will be marked with bold print:

12c Their strong desire for sexual pleasure and idol worship has led them to abandon what is right. 12d They have left their God to serve other gods.
-or-

12c Their uncontrolled lusts have caused them to sin. 12d They are no longer faithful to one another or to God .
-or-

12c Like prostitutes, they have chased after other gods 12d and have left their own God. (New Century Version)
-or-

12c A spirit of prostitution leads them astray. 12d They commit adultery by giving themselves to other gods. (God’s Word)

You may also want to clarify the relationship between literal and figurative prostitution in a footnote. Here is a suggested footnote:

People who worshiped idols at mountain shrines sacrificed animals and incense to the idols. As part of the ritual, they often had sex with the prostitutes who worked at the shrines (see 4:13–14). When they did this, they were acting immorally. They were also being unfaithful to God by worshiping other gods.

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder and/or combine the parallel parts in 4:12c–d. For example:

Their longing for the pleasures of sexual immorality and idolatry has led them to abandon me, their God.

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

6:10a

In the house of Israel: The expression house of Israel is a figure of speech that probably refers to the land of the northern kingdom of Israel.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

in Israel (Good News Translation)
-or-
in the nation of Israel (God’s Word)

See how you translated this phrase in 1:6c.

I have seen: These words indicate that the LORD personally witnessed the evil that the people did.

a horrible thing: This phrase refers to something disgusting that people react to with horror. In this context, it probably refers to all kinds of wickedness, including the shameful crimes in 6:9 and also the prostitution in 6:10b–c. Use a general term for something disgusting or horrible that can refer to all these sins. For example:

terrible thing (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
disgusting thing (NET Bible)
-or-
something horrible (New Living Translation (2004))

6:10b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

10b
Ephraim practices prostitution there,

10c and Israel is defiled.

Ephraim…Israel: In this context, the parallel names Ephraim and Israel are used for poetic effect. They both refer to the people of Israel. Some versions make only the name Israel explicit here. For example:

Look at Israel’s prostitution; Israel has become unclean. (New Century Version)

6:10b

practices prostitution: This phrase is similar to the phrase “be promiscuous” in 4:10b. (See that note for more discussion.) It refers literally to the people committing sexual sin. It also refers symbolically to their worship of false gods. If possible, translate this phrase in a way that can refer to both referents. For example:

Ephraim is acting like a prostitute (God’s Word)
-or-
you are unfaithful (Contemporary English Version)

there: This word refers back to the phrase “in the house of Israel” in 6:10a. Some versions leave this word implied. For example:

Ephraim is acting like a prostitute (God’s Word)

6:10c

is defiled: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is defiled is literally “it has made itself unclean.” The Berean Standard Bible translated the it the same way in 5:3c–d. The word refers to the people’s moral impurity. It also refers to their becoming spiritually impure by breaking the commands of their covenant with the LORD. The people were guilty of both kinds of impurity.

Here are some other ways to translate this Hebrew word:

has become unclean (New Century Version)
-or-
have defiled themselves (New Living Translation (1996))

General Comment on 6:10b–c

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

you are unfaithful and unfit to worship me (Contemporary English 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.

Section 9:1–9

The LORD will punish the Israelites

This section warns the people of Israel that the LORD will punish them because they have been unfaithful to him. When that happens, the people will no longer be able to celebrate at harvest time or enjoy the crops from their land. The section describes aspects of daily life that the people in Israel would clearly understand. Some examples are harvest festivals (9:1, 5), threshing grain and making wine (9:2), unclean food (9:3–4), offerings and sacrifices (9:4), briers and thorns (9:6), and prophets (9:7–8). There is also an indirect reference to Israel’s past (9:9).

Here are some other examples of section headings:

The Lord Will Punish Israel (English Standard Version)
-or-
Hosea announces Israel’s Punishment (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Israel Will Be Punished (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The Sorrows of Exile (New Jerusalem Bible)

Paragraph 9:1–6

This paragraph tells about joyful activities that the people will no longer experience when they are in exile in Assyria. In exile, they will no longer have joyful harvests or be able to offer acceptable sacrifices to God. Instead of rejoicing, they will mourn.

9:1a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

1a
Do not rejoice, O Israel,

1b
with exultation like the nations,

The speaker of these lines is probably Hosea. He tells the people of Israel to stop rejoicing at harvest time.

There is a textual issue in 9:1b. It affects the parallel line structure in 9:1a–b.

(1) The LXX has “Do not rejoice, O Israel! And do not exult/delight like the peoples.” The Syriac, Vulgate, and Targum also have two parallel commands. For example:

Do not rejoice, O Israel! Do not exult as other nations do (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) The Masoretic Text has “Do not rejoice O Israel to/with rejoicing/exultation like the peoples.” The phrase “rejoice with exultation” means to rejoice greatly. With this option, there is a single intensified command rather than two parallel commands. For example:

O Israel, do not rejoice jubilantly like the nations (NET Bible)

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

rejoice…with exultation: These words mean “be glad/joyful.” Both words can express joy of various kinds and of various degrees of intensity.

Here are some other ways to translate the negative commands:

do not rejoice; don’t shout for joy (New Century Version)
-or-
don’t rejoice. Don’t celebrate (God’s Word)

like the nations: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “like the peoples.” It refers here to people who live in nations other than Israel.

General Comment on 9:1a–b

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

People of Israel, stop celebrating your festivals like pagans. (Good News Translation)

9:1c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

1c for you have been played the harlot your God;

1d
you have made love for hire on every threshing floor.

In these lines, Hosea begins to explain why the people of Israel must not rejoice. The reason is that they were unfaithful to God and will soon experience the consequences of their unfaithfulness. God will send them into exile.

9:1c

for you have played the harlot against your God: The nation of Israel is compared to a harlot/prostitute, because the people were not faithful to God.

Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

For you have played the harlot, forsaking your God. (New American Standard Bible)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

You have been like a prostitute against your God. (New Century Version)

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

For you have been unfaithful to your God; (New International Version)

The Hebrew phrase “from beside your God” indicates that the people’s unfaithful behavior distanced them from God. Some versions make this information explicit. For example:

You have turned away from your God and have been unfaithful to him. (Good News Translation)
-or-
for you have deserted your God to play the whore (New Jerusalem Bible)

your God: In some languages, the phrase your God may imply that Israel’s God is not the same as Hosea’s God. One way to avoid this wrong meaning is to translate the phrase as “our(incl.) God.”

9:1d

you have made love for hire on every threshing floor: This line again compares the Israelites to a harlot/prostitute. A prostitute earns wages by hiring herself to make love. Likewise, Israel gave herself to Baal and other false gods by worshiping them. The people wrongly thought that those false gods provided their grain and other needs as wages for their worship. See also Hosea 2:5, 2:8.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

You have loved the wages you made as a prostitute there on every threshing floor.
-or-
Everywhere that people thresh grain, you are like prostitutes who are delighted with the fee you receive for selling yourself to others.

love for hire: This phrase refers to the fee that a client pays to a prostitute. In this context, the wages are the grain on the threshing floor.

on every threshing floor: Threshing floors were large open areas where the farmers removed the kernels of grain from the husk. Some scholars believe that threshing floors were also areas where the people worshiped Baal or other idols.

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

13:7–8

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

7a So like a lion I will pounce on them;

7b like a leopard I will lurk by the path.

8a Like a bear robbed of her cubs I will attack them, and I will tear open their chests.

8b There I will devour them like a lion,

8c like a wild animal would tear them apart.

These lines contain figures of speech (similes) in which the LORD compares himself to fierce animals that attack and kill other animals or people.

These multiple animal similes give emphasis to the power and fierceness of the LORD in his judgment of them. That judgment will be carried out through Assyria when their armies attack and destroy the nation of Israel. These similes are intentionally intense and shocking and should be translated accordingly.

13:7a

So: Verses 13:7–8 describe the consequence of Israel forgetting the LORD. Most versions introduce this consequence with a word such as So or “Therefore” (New American Bible). Introduce this consequence in a natural way in your language.

like a lion I will pounce on them: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as I will pounce is literally “I became.”

There are two interpretations of the time reference:

(1) It is future tense. It refers to what will soon occur. For example:

So I will become like a lion to them (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) It refers to what has begun to occur and is ongoing in Hosea’s time. For example:

So I am to them like a lion (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. Translate this time reference in a natural way in your language.

There are also two main interpretations of the meaning of the Hebrew word for “I became” here:

(1) It means “be/become.” His actions toward the people will be like those of a lion. The specific behavior of a lion is left implied. For example:

So now I shall be like a lion to them (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means “attack.” He attacks the people like a lion does. For example:

So I will attack you like a lion. (Good News Translation)

Interpretation (1) will be used in the Display. However, either interpretation is acceptable. Each one implies the other.

lion: A lion is a large cat that is capable of killing humans as well as other animals. If lions are not known in your language area, it is suggested that you provide a picture or describe it in a footnote.

13:7b

leopard: A leopard is similar to a lion. It is a large, spotted cat that is capable of killing humans as well as other animals. Leopards hunt by silently stalking their prey before attacking. If leopards are not known in your language area, it is suggested that you provide a picture or describe it in a footnote.

I will lurk by the path:
The Hebrew word for I will lurk is literally “I will watch.” In this context, the meaning is to watch in order to ambush.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Like a leopard I will lie in wait along your path. (Good News Translation)
-or-
Like a leopard I will wait by the road to ambush you. (God’s Word)

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