Paragraph 2:8–13

In this paragraph, Hosea continues to use the image of an adulterous wife to represent the unfaithful nation of Israel. The LORD will punish the Israelites for their worship of the false god Baal. They trusted Baal to provide for their needs instead of trusting the LORD. Similarly, Hosea will punish Gomer, because she was unfaithful to him.

The notes and translation advice in this paragraph focus mainly on the way that the LORD intends to punish Israel. So you may want to add a footnote to remind your readers that this paragraph also refers to the way that Hosea will punish his wife Gomer.

2:8a

she does not acknowledge: The Hebrew verb that is used here can mean either “know” or “acknowledge/admit.” So there are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) “She does not acknowledge.” She (Israel) knew the truth, but she refused to admit that her husband (the LORD) was the one who supplied her needs. For example:

she would never acknowledge (Good News Translation)
-or-
she has refused to acknowledge (NET Bible)

(2) “She did not know.” She (Israel) was not aware that her husband (the LORD) provided her food. For example:

she did not know (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
she had never realized before (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most commentaries. Verse 2:7d implies that Israel did know that the LORD had been her provider in the past.

2:8b

that it was I who gave her: In Hebrew, the pronoun I that is used here indicates emphasis. The Berean Standard Bible expresses this emphasis by using special wording.

Other languages may be able to use an emphatic pronoun. Use a natural way in your language to express this emphasis.

grain, new wine, and oil: These three items are often listed together in the Old Testament (for example, Deuteronomy 7:13). They were basic products of agriculture that the nation depended upon to sustain them. Together they represented everything that the LORD had provided for the Israelites.

grain: This word refers to any kind of grain. In languages that do not have a general word for grain, here are two other options:

• Use the word for a specific grain crop, such as wheat or rice.

• Use a more general term, such as “crop” or “what is harvested.”

new wine: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as new wine refers to wine that has been pressed recently from grapes. It is not yet fermented or is just beginning to ferment.

Here is another way to translate this word:

fresh wine

Some versions do not specify new wine, probably because the emphasis is on the LORD’s provision of the wine, not on its age. If it is awkward to express the concept of newly made wine, you may want to use a more general term. For example:

wine (New Revised Standard Version)

wine: wine is an alcoholic drink. It is made from the juice of a fruit called grapes. When grape juice ferments, it becomes wine.

In some areas, people may not be familiar with grapes or with wine.

If that is true in your area, here are some other ways to translate wine :

• Use a specific term for another alcoholic drink made from fruit. For example:

pomegranate wine
-or-
a drink like palm wine

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

fruit juice/water
-or-
grape juice

oil: See the note in 2:5d.

2:8c

who lavished on her: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lavished is literally “multiplied.” It indicates that the LORD gave it generously.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

giving her more and more (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
I gave her much (New Century Version)

silver and gold—which they crafted for Baal: These two phrases describe the unexpected way in which the people used the silver and gold that the LORD gave them. The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crafted is a somewhat general verb for action taken on an item. It could mean “to do,” “to use,” or “to make.” It does not indicate specifically how the people used silver and gold for Baal. They may have used it to make idols of Baal, but they may also have used it in other ways that were related to Baal worship. For that reason, you should use a general phrase to translate this statement. For example:

which they used for Baal (New International Version)
-or-
which they have spent on Baal (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
which they used in worshiping Baal (NET Bible)

Some versions use punctuation marks to emphasize the fact that the Israelite’s behavior was unexpected. It was the LORD who gave them these gifts, but instead they used the gifts to honor a false god. For example, the NET Bible uses a hyphen and exclamation mark for emphasis:

silver and gold—which they used in worshiping Baal! (NET Bible)

The New Century Version creates similar emphasis by using the word “but”:

I gave her much silver and gold, but she used it for Baal. (New Century Version)

Use a natural way in your language to emphasize that this behavior was unexpected.

they: The preceding pronouns “she/her” in 2:8a–c refer to the nation or people of Israel. The following pronouns in 2:9b–10a are the same. Here in 2:8c, the pronoun they is used. You should use a phrase or pronoun in your language that clearly refers to the nation or people of Israel.

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