As they go probably means as the people of Israel go back and forth between Egypt and Assyria, seeking help, like a dove flying back and forth. The Hebrew verb for go is the same one used at the end of 7.11. Good News Translation moves this clause to the end of the first sentence without losing the connection to 7.11, saying “as they go by,” but not all languages will be able to do so.

I will spread over them my net: It is not certain what kind of hunter’s net is referred to here. The Hebrew word here is mostly used to refer to a net for catching animals (see, for example, Pro 29.5). In only two references it is used for catching birds, here and in Pro 1.17. It may be the kind that stretches between two poles or trees and is raised to trap birds as they fly by, or it may be the kind that is thrown over birds when they are on the ground to find food. The next line may suggest birds that are caught in the air. If a distinction is necessary, translators may use the expression that makes the best sense in this context. If necessary, the metaphor here can be changed to a simile: “I will catch them like birds in a net.” The figure of the net means that God will bring them trouble and make them captives because of their foolish actions in seeking help from nations that were trying to exploit Israel.

I will bring them down like birds of the air: This line is parallel to the previous one. The two lines show two aspects of a single action. Good News Translation joins them in a single sentence: “But I will spread out a net and catch them like birds….” In many receptor languages it may be possible to maintain the parallelism. Birds of the air is a standard Hebrew expression that may be translated simply “birds” (Good News Translation).

I will chastise them for their wicked deeds: The Hebrew verb for chastise can mean “admonish,” “discipline,” or “punish.” It is a general term to cover all means used by parents for disciplining their children.

Instead of for their wicked deeds, the Hebrew text reads “according to the report to their congregation” (Revised Standard Version footnote). The word for “congregation” refers to any assembly that gathers, usually because they have previously agreed to meet. NET Bible, following the figure of birds, translates “when I hear them flocking together” (similarly New English Bible), but it is questionable whether the Hebrew can mean this. Revised Standard Version partially follows the Septuagint and emends the text to read for their wicked deeds, and Good News Translation follows the same emendation with “for the evil they have done.” This emendation retains part of the Hebrew text, makes sense, and fits the context. However, Hebrew Old Testament Text Project prefers to follow the Hebrew text, rating it a {C} (that is, the committee has considerable doubt), and suggests “according to the announcement [made] to their assembly.” This translation assumes that “the announcement” was an oracle that warned against the very evil the Israelites have done. It is difficult to reconstruct a meaningful context around that suggestion, although it is possible. English Standard Version follows the Hebrew, saying “I will discipline them according to the report made to their congregation.” New English Bible emends the Hebrew verb here, saying “I will take them captive as soon as I hear them flocking” (similarly New International Version, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). Even though this is a smooth rendering, there is no textual support for it. New American Bible also emends the text: “In an instant I will send them captive from their land.” This emendation is less acceptable because it is rather far removed from the standard Hebrew text. A good number of translations emend the text in the same way as Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. If a translation can make good sense using the recommendation of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, that is fine. If not, then Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation provide good alternative models to follow.

A translation model for this verse is:

• As they go, I will catch them like birds in a net,
I will bring them down like birds from the air.
I will punish them as they were told.

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 .