I will come against the wayward people to chastise them: King James Version has “against the children of iniquity” in 10.9, following the verse division of the Hebrew text (similarly New International Version, New Living Translation, NET Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Revised Standard Version places this phrase here, saying against the wayward people, and so does Good News Translation with “this sinful people.” There is a textual problem in this line, but this division of verses fits better, regardless of the problem. So we recommend that translators include the last phrase of 10.9 in the Hebrew text at the beginning of this verse, as in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Depending on the translation brief, a footnote may have to be inserted to clarify the decision.

I will come against (Good News Translation “I will attack”) follows the meaning of the Septuagint. King James Version follows the Hebrew with “in my desire.” Although this phrase in Hebrew may seem difficult to fit into the sentence, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends that we follow the Hebrew rather than the Septuagint (a fairly strong {B} decision). As a translation Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends “I have decided to,” so a possible model for this line is “I am determined to punish this sinful people” (similarly De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling). For the Hebrew verb rendered chastise, see 7.12.

And nations shall be gathered against them refers to the armies of other nations invading and attacking Israel. This topic is repeated in the following sections of the text. It is not entirely clear which nations are meant here. Could they be the Assyrians? But that is only one nation. Do they refer to the Israelite tribes that attacked the tribe of Benjamin at Gibeah? This is also not very likely. They could be foreign enemies in general. In any case, there is no need to make this clear in the translation, although the use of future tense eliminates the second option.

When they are chastised for their double iniquity: The verb chastised (Good News Translation “punished”) follows the Septuagint. The Hebrew text has a verb that usually means “bind” (King James Version, NET Bible). Some scholars think that this Hebrew verb can have the sense of “punish.” However, we recommend staying with the Hebrew text by saying “to put them in bonds for their double sin” (New International Version). This binding happened when Israel was taken in captivity to Assyria.

Their double iniquity is literally “the two of their sins.” Many proposals have been made identifying these two sins of Israel; for example, the raping and killing of the Levite’s concubine and the establishment of the monarchy, beginning with Saul, or deserting Yahweh and worshiping idols, especially the golden bull at Bethel and the golden bull at Dan. Some interpreters believe that if any of these pairs of sins had been meant, they would have been expressed more clearly. One simple explanation is that double here means “many” (Good News Translation). We prefer keeping the idea of “two” sins. The original hearers of this message no doubt understood clearly what these “two” evils were. Translators will have to determine which expression is the better one to present to their people.

For the Hebrew word rendered iniquity, see 8.13. Instead of iniquity (Good News Translation “sins”), King James Version and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh have “furrows,” which is based on a different Hebrew root. This reading gives the image of a farmer plowing his field and making two clear grooves where the soil has been turned over. In the section that follows this figure is developed more clearly. Instead of sowing righteousness, Israel has cut two “furrows” for sin, but not every hearer of the message today will understand the intended meaning of this imagery clearly. Our recommended reading of the Hebrew text here is “their two transgressions.” In the present context this seems to offer the best option for translation. What exactly is meant with this double transgression is debatable. Different suggestions have been made, but none of them has an essential impact on the way the text is translated.

A translation model for this verse is:

• I have decided to discipline this evil people,
nations shall gather together against them
to bind them for their double sin.

Quoted with permission from Dorn, Louis & van Steenbergen, Gerrit. A Handbook on Hosea. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2020. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .