Afterward refers to the time after the “many days” of 3.4. It is a very general, unspecific reference to time. That will be the time of restoration. Good News Translation expresses this word as a contrast, saying “But the time will come when.” Bible en français courant simply says “Later.”

The children of Israel shall return can be viewed to refer to Israel returning from exile. However, that is certainly not the meaning in this context. This clause has two possible meanings here: (1) it can refer to an inward turning, as a spiritual conversion; (2) in combination with the next verb, return can also be understood to mean “again” seek. Both meanings prove to be correct, in light of the events referred to in this context, so if at all possible, both should be retained in translation. If this is not possible, the translator may express the meaning most suitable in the receptor language.

And seek the LORD their God, and David their king: The Hebrew verb seek often refers to worshiping God, especially when going to the Temple. However, since the forms of worship have been removed in 3.4, a more general turning to Yahweh should be expressed, as in Good News Translation, which renders this clause and the previous one as “the people of Israel will once again turn to the LORD their God….” This verb can also be taken literally, in the sense of “looking for something” with an aim to find it, as in 5.6. Finally, it can also mean “to long for,” so De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling has “they will again long for the LORD their God….” The phrase the LORD their God itself signals restoration, for Yahweh is once more described as their God, a clear reference to the covenant (see Lev 26.44).

David their king is a metaphor referring, not to David who was dead, but to “a descendant of David their king” (Good News Translation), or this phrase may be thought of as referring to the dynasty of David. In some cultures this is expressed as “a king from the house of David.” The Israelites will again have the kings that were taken from them in 3.4. Many scholars believe that this phrase is an addition to the text by an editor from Judah, but for the translator this is irrelevant.

And they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness… is literally “and they will fear to [or, toward] the LORD and to [or, toward] his goodness….” But the Hebrew preposition for “toward” used with the verb here is an idiom best translated as “approach in fear.” Good News Translation assumes that the idea of “approach” is implied in “turn to” in the previous sentence, so it renders they shall come in fear to the LORD simply as “they will fear the LORD.” This fear is best understood as overwhelming reverence and awe in God’s presence, enough to make someone tremble. Wolff translates “with trembling approach Yahweh.”

Such reverence is also shown to the blessings God will again give his people. His goodness includes all he provides that makes life good, such as grain, wine, olive oil, sheep, cattle (see Jer 31.12), and the land of Israel itself. Rather than treating these things as gifts from the pagan gods of Canaan (2.8), the people will approach them with respect and awe, as coming from Yahweh. Good News Translation renders shall come in fear … to his goodness as “will receive his good gifts,” which shows that they will again enjoy God’s gifts, but the point of respecting them as God’s gifts is left implicit or is missing altogether. Bible en français courant provides a better model for this whole sentence, saying “In the future, they will reverently seek the presence of the Lord and the good things that he gives.”

In the latter days is literally “at the end of the days.” This phrase may mean after the “many days” of 3.4, and in this sense it is synonymous with Afterward, used at the beginning of this verse. Good News Translation renders it simply as “Then” at the beginning of this sentence. Some scholars give it a deeper eschatological meaning, so that the latter days refers to the end times of the world’s history, but such a concept is not yet common at the time of Hosea’s prophecy (so Andersen and Freedman). In any case, this verse refers is to an ideal time when relations between God and Israel will be restored, and the people, now faithful, will enjoy God’s blessings. The time span is undetermined, but the prophet explains that this is what will eventually happen. Helpful models for this phrase are “in days to come” (New English Bible), “in those days to come” (Jerusalem Bible), and “in the future” (Traduction œcuménique de la Bible).

A translation model for this verse is:

• Later the people of Israel will again long for the LORD their God and for a king from the house of David. They will eventually turn in awe to the LORD and to his good gifts.

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 .