When Ephraim spoke: When renders a prepositional prefix on an infinitive form of the Hebrew verb translated spoke. Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and most other translations understand this prefix as introducing what would often happen. “Whenever” is another possible rendering. Good News Translation‘s “In the past, when” is less poetic but tries to make this statement contrast clearly with what was to happen afterward. The combination of the Hebrew preposition with an infinitive verb is usually interpreted as “as soon as…” or “the moment that….”

Here Ephraim probably refers to the leading tribe in the northern kingdom of Israel, not to all of Israel, even though the Hebrew speaks of the tribe as one person (compare 4.17). Good News Translation makes this clear by saying “the tribe of Ephraim.” However, it is also possible to interpret Ephraim here as a geographical place: the area of Mount Ephraim, the location of Samaria’s royal leaders. Most translations are not explicit and just translate Ephraim without a qualifier. Like Good News Translation, De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling refers explicitly to the tribe. However, Contemporary English Version says “your leaders.”

The Hebrew verb rendered spoke is used for important, more formal speaking, not just ordinary talk. Its noun form is often used for the speech of Yahweh, but it also can refer to human speech. Most languages do not make this distinction.

Men trembled renders one noun in Hebrew, literally “trembling.” A more literal translation of the first line of this verse is “When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling” (New Revised Standard Version). This line does not mean that the people of Ephraim trembled as they spoke, but the nature of what they spoke caused trembling. The word men is not in the Hebrew but is assumed. They are the ones who felt the terror. The more inclusive word “people” is better, since women would also be involved. Good News Translation moves Israel up from the second line, saying “In the past, when the tribe of Ephraim spoke, the other tribes of Israel were afraid.”

He was exalted in Israel is literally “he, he lifted up in Israel” in the Hebrew text. There is emphasis on the pronoun he, since it occurs as an affix on the verb and also as a separate pronoun. The verb was exalted is somewhat problematic. Most translations handle it as a passive, while the Hebrew has an active form (“lifted up”). Some ancient versions suggest a passive form, which fits well in this context. But what does it mean “to be exalted in Israel?” New Jerusalem Bible translates “he was a power in Israel.” De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling has “he had great authority in Israel.” In the present context, especially in view of the trembling in the preceding line, this is a valid translation.

But he incurred guilt through Baal: But, which renders the Hebrew waw conjunction (literally “and”) introduces a contrast here. The pronoun he refers to Ephraim, as if the tribe were one person, namely their ancestor himself. Good News Translation‘s “the people” suggests that it was not one person but the whole tribe of Ephraim that became guilty. If “the people” is used, it should refer specifically to the tribe of Ephraim. This can only be done if the first line refers to “the tribe [or, the people] of Ephraim.” Otherwise, the singular pronoun he can be used.

The Hebrew verb rendered incurred guilt involves not only committing sin, but also bearing the consequences of that sin, so Good News Translation‘s “sinned” is not recommended. This verb occurred earlier in 4.15; 5.15; and 10.2 (see the comments there).

Through Baal is literal and may be quite clear, but Good News Translation‘s “by worshiping Baal” is even clearer. For Baal, see the comments on 2.13.

And died: Ephraim at this time continued to exist as a tribe. Is this statement of death a kind of poetic warning? The ancestor Ephraim is dead, implying that the descendants are about to go the same way. Good News Translation understands it this way by saying “and for this they will die.” Or is died a prophetic perfect tense, making the future so certain that we can say it is already true? Ephraim is already as good as dead. Bible en français courant seems to take it this way, saying “which became fatal for him.” De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling is similar with “and he signed his death sentence,” and so is New Living Translation with “and thus sealed their destruction.” Or does it mean they have died spiritually? Wolff suggests that the Assyrians, at the time of this prophecy, had already destroyed the royal government of Israel so that it was “dead,” even though the people were still alive and continuing to worship Baal. This is the interpretation most favored by this Handbook. In any case, died can be thought of as a strong statement by the prophet that indicates there is no hope for Ephraim. If necessary, translators may need to follow something similar to Good News Translation, but clearly referring to Ephraim, not to all of Israel.

A translation model for this verse is:

• The moment that a king of Ephraim spoke,
there was trembling.
He commanded great authority in Israel,
but he became guilty of Baal worship
and signed his own death sentence.

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 .