Paragraph 11:8–11

This paragraph contrasts with the previous one. The previous paragraph promises that the nation of Israel will be taken into exile in Assyria. This paragraph tells about the time after that exile. In these verses, the LORD promises that he will not completely destroy them. Rather, in the future he will bring them back to their land.

11:8a–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

8a
How could I give you up, O Ephraim ?

8b
How could I surrender you, O Israel ?

8c
How could I make you like Admah ?

8d
How could I treat you like Zeboiim ?

These lines show the LORD’s emotional anguish due to the coming destruction and captivity of Israel. They also indicate that the LORD is the one who decides the fate of Israel.

The lines are probably rhetorical questions with an implied answer of, “I cannot!” See the general comment for other ways to translate these lines.

11:8a–b

How: In rhetorical questions, this Hebrew question word can indicate emotions such as despair, amazement, or horror. Here it is an exclamation that indicates grief or anguish.

could I give you up…could I surrender you: In both these phrases, the LORD asks himself if he can give Israel to their enemy, Assyria, to destroy them.

Ephraim…Israel: Both names refer to the people of Israel.

11:8c–d

How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim?: In both questions, the LORD asks himself if he can destroy Israel as he destroyed these two cities. In some languages, it may be helpful to make explicit that these two clauses are about destruction. For example:

How can I destroy you like Admah or demolish you like Zeboiim? (New Living Translation (2004))

How: See comment above on How.

could I make you like…could I treat you like: In this context, the Hebrew words for make you and treat you have similar meanings. Here they both mean “do to you.”

Admah…Zeboiim: The LORD completely destroyed these two cities along with Sodom and Gomorrah because of their extreme wickedness. See Deuteronomy 29:23.

General Comment on 11:8a–d

In some languages, it may be more natural to use statements instead of rhetorical questions or use some of each. It also may be more natural to combine some of the parallel parts. For example, the Contemporary English Version has statements for the first two parallel lines. It has kept the third and fourth lines as rhetorical questions but has combined them.

Israel, I can’t let you go. I can’t give you up. How could I possibly destroy you as I did the towns of Admah and Zeboiim?

11:8e–f

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

8e
My heart is turned within Me;

8f
My compassion is stirred !

11:8e

My heart: The Hebrews considered the heart to be the center of thought and knowledge. Some languages use a different body organ, such as the liver, to signify attitudes and thoughts. Use an expression that is natural in your language for this purpose.

is turned: In Hebrew, there are two main interpretations of this phrase:

(1) The phrase means “to change one’s mind/plan.” For example:

I have changed my mind (God’s Word)

(2) The word means “to be in distress.” For example:

My heart is torn within me (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It fits better with following context of 11:9 in which the LORD describes what he no longer plans to do. It also allows the second interpretation. His change of heart is based on his strong compassion for his people.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

My heart will not let me do it! (Good News Translation)
-or-
A change of heart moves me (Revised English Bible)

within Me: In this context, the Hebrew word indicates the location where the decisions/emotions take place.

11:8f

There Hebrew is a word here which means “together.” Here it gives emphasis to the intensity of the emotion that the LORD feels. Some versions leave this word implicit. Some others indicate this intensity in a different way. The Berean Standard Bible indicates the intensity with the exclamation point at the end of the sentence. For example:

I am deeply moved. (God’s Word)

Indicate the intensity of emotion in a natural way in your language.

compassion: The Hebrew word refers to an emotion of compassion and pity. It describes a desire to bring comfort.

stirred!: In Hebrew, this word is literally “grow warm.” Hebrew uses the word “warm” or “hot” to describe strong feelings. For example:

my compassion grows warm and tender (New Revised Standard Version)

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

My compassion overflows (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
my love for you stirs up my pity (New Century Version)

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