And I will make for you a covenant on that day …: Revised Standard Version does not have a paragraph or stanza break here. However, since there is a major shift in perspective in this verse, a break is needed. The Hebrew phrase for on that day is identical with the one rendered “in that day” in 2.16 (see comments there). In this verse it marks the second promise, that God will make a new covenant for Israel. Good News Translation therefore begins a new paragraph at this point. This verse uses nonfigurative language about Israel rather than the image of a renewed relationship with the wife.

The Hebrew word for covenant refers to an “agreement” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), almost like a contract (usually spoken rather than written), that guides and determines the relations and obligations between two parties. Here it is God who will draw up, or determine, what the agreement will state. The unusual other party in the covenant are the different types of animals, symbolizing all nature. This should obviously not be taken literally, but is a poetic way of expressing that even nature will take part in God’s intervention for Israel. In this section A-c′ nature is involved in Israel’s restoration, just as nature was involved in section A-c in opposing Israel. I will make … a covenant is literally “I will cut a covenant,” an expression commonly used in the Hebrew Bible. The translator should find an expression that fits the receptor language and culture. For example, in Pokot (Kenya) the usual expression is “to eat a covenant.” This expression conveys the binding nature of a covenant.

As the Revised Standard Version footnote states, for you is “for them” in Hebrew. The widening of the scope from the wife to Israel is clear from the switch to the plural pronoun “them,” which Good News Translation renders “my people.” “For them” means that the covenant is prepared on behalf of Israel, so that the covenant will be between Israel and the animals, even though it is God who arranges the covenant. The translator will have to determine whether to have God speak to Israel (for you) or about Israel (“for them”). Good News Translation expands this phrase, saying “so that they will not harm my people,” which makes the meaning explicit. De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling retains the husband-wife-children metaphor by beginning this verse with “On that day I will make a covenant for my children.” In any case, it should be clear the plural (representing the people of Israel) is intended here by the text.

With the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the creeping things of the ground: Previously wild animals had destroyed Israel’s vineyards and orchards (2.12), but now God promises that the animals will not harm Israel (compare Isa 11.6-9). The three types of animals here are mentioned along with the kind of space in which they are normally active. Beasts of the field include animals that roam over the open spaces, some of which are dangerous or troublesome (see 2.12). New Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation say “wild animals.” Birds of the air is simply the poetic Hebrew idiom for “birds” (Good News Translation). Creeping things of the ground include reptiles and small animals that may dig into the ground, also troublesome especially for farmers. Good News Translation combines them with beasts of the field, saying “all the wild animals.” The animals are grouped and listed in the same order as in the creation story in Gen 1.30.

And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land: The Hebrew word for abolish is literally “break,” as the second Revised Standard Version footnote indicates. Only a bow or a sword can be broken, not war, but this is a Hebrew rhetorical device that uses the same verb for all three direct objects, even though it is suitable for only two. Translators will need to use a verb that is appropriate in their languages but that communicates the basic information, such as abolish or “remove” (Good News Translation). In many cultures the symbolism of breaking bows and swords will be well understood and can therefore be translated literally. In the series of the three things destroyed, the bow and the sword are mentioned first, with war mentioned last as a kind of summary of how the first two items are used. Good News Translation follows normal English style by mentioning “weapons of war” first and then the two examples of such weapons, “all swords and bows.” Some translations may prefer to state that war as such will no longer occur. See Psa 76.3[4] for a similar use of these terms. For bow and sword, see 1.7. From the land refers to the land of Israel, not to the whole world, nor merely to certain agricultural lands.

And I will make you lie down in safety: Here God’s promise of security is shown in the way in which people may safely go to sleep at night. But this promise implies more than that, so Good News Translation gives its wider meaning by saying “and [I] will let my people live in peace and safety.” Since a causative verb is used here in Hebrew, it is important to make it clear that Yahweh makes this possible. New Living Translation fails to do this by saying “so you can live unafraid in peace and safety.” In safety expresses one aspect of the Hebrew term here. Good News Translation tries to give a fuller picture of its meaning with “in peace and safety.”

A translation model for this verse is:

• When that happens, I will strike a covenant for [you,] my people
with the animals in the field,
with the birds in the air,
and with the creeping creatures on the ground.
I will break the bow and the sword,
removing all weapons of war from the land.
I will let you stay in safety.

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 .