New English Bible omits this verse, although the Hebrew clearly includes it. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project and Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament definitely include it (an {A} decision, meaning there is no significant doubt), so the verse should be included. It should be noted though that the verse interrupts the flow of events by bringing in the situation of Judah. In the parallel conditions in 1.4 and 1.9 this does not happen. This is not a reason to omit the verse. New Jerusalem Bible and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh put it in parenthesis. The significance of these parentheses may escape the reader. It may be better to present the verse as a paragraph of its own.

But renders the Hebrew waw conjunction, which is usually translated “and.” Here it marks the contrast between the fates of Israel and Judah, so But is a good connector.

I will have pity on the house of Judah: Yahweh promises that he will treat the southern kingdom, Judah, with love and compassion, in contrast with his treatment of Israel. The translation of have pity should be consistent with the rendering in 1.6. Similarly, the translation of house should be the same as in 1.6. Good News Translation renders the house of Judah as “the people of Judah.”

And I will deliver them by the LORD their God: The expression for deliver should be appropriate for rescue from an enemy army, since the last part of the verse refers to such enemies. The form of the Hebrew verb rendered deliver makes it possible to translate it “make … victorious” or “give … victory” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). As in 1.2, Yahweh is speaking but refers to himself in the third person by saying the LORD their God. Many languages will require a first person reference to God here; for example, Good News Translation says “I, the LORD their God,” and the Dutch common language version (Bijbel in Gewone Taal) has “I am the Lord, their God.”

I will not deliver them by bow, nor by sword, nor by war, nor by horses, nor by horsemen: Yahweh implies that he will rescue Judah by some other means than by war or the weapons of war. The text does not state what the means are, nor should the translator suggest an answer. In some languages it may be necessary to say “I will rescue them by some other means than…” or “I will not rescue them by … I will rescue them some other way.” If deliver them is translated “give them victory,” the preposition by is better expressed as “with” or “through.” Bow, sword, horses, and horsemen are used to carry out warfare. The prophet is using a rhetorical device, listing the instruments of war in order to give the picture of war, but mentioning war itself in the center of these things listed. Good News Translation uses normal English style by rendering this clause as “but I will not do it by war—with swords or bows and arrows or with horses and horsemen.” “War” is mentioned first, then the items of warfare. The bow is known almost universally as a hunting weapon and as a tool of warfare. Good News Translation adds “and arrows” because the two are commonly mentioned together in English style, and because the arrows are implied, since bows are useless without them. The sword was most likely an instrument with a sharp cutting edge as well as a sharp point for piercing. In some cultures the spear is better known as an instrument of war. Good News Translation joins horses with horsemen, saying “horses and horsemen.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch combines the five terms into three: “weapons, horses and riders.” We do not recommend this if the language uses instruments of war as metonyms for war.

Translation models for this verse are:

• But I will have mercy on the nation of Judah, and I, the LORD their God, will save them, not through warfare, not through bows, spears, horses, or horsemen.”

• But I will pity the people of Judah and give them victory. I am the LORD their God. I will not give them victory through bow, sword, war, horses, or horsemen.”

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 .