6:10a
In the house of Israel: The expression house of Israel is a figure of speech that probably refers to the land of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
in Israel (Good News Translation)
-or-
in the nation of Israel (God’s Word)
See how you translated this phrase in 1:6c.
I have seen: These words indicate that the LORD personally witnessed the evil that the people did.
a horrible thing: This phrase refers to something disgusting that people react to with horror. In this context, it probably refers to all kinds of wickedness, including the shameful crimes in 6:9 and also the prostitution in 6:10b–c. Use a general term for something disgusting or horrible that can refer to all these sins. For example:
terrible thing (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
disgusting thing (NET Bible)
-or-
something horrible (New Living Translation (2004))
6:10b–c
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
10b
Ephraim practices prostitution there,
10c and Israel is defiled.
Ephraim…Israel: In this context, the parallel names Ephraim and Israel are used for poetic effect. They both refer to the people of Israel. Some versions make only the name Israel explicit here. For example:
Look at Israel’s prostitution; Israel has become unclean. (New Century Version)
6:10b
practices prostitution: This phrase is similar to the phrase “be promiscuous” in 4:10b. (See that note for more discussion.) It refers literally to the people committing sexual sin. It also refers symbolically to their worship of false gods. If possible, translate this phrase in a way that can refer to both referents. For example:
Ephraim is acting like a prostitute (God’s Word)
-or-
you are unfaithful (Contemporary English Version)
there: This word refers back to the phrase “in the house of Israel” in 6:10a. Some versions leave this word implied. For example:
Ephraim is acting like a prostitute (God’s Word)
6:10c
is defiled: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as is defiled is literally “it has made itself unclean.” The Berean Standard Bible translated the it the same way in 5:3c–d. The word refers to the people’s moral impurity. It also refers to their becoming spiritually impure by breaking the commands of their covenant with the LORD. The people were guilty of both kinds of impurity.
Here are some other ways to translate this Hebrew word:
has become unclean (New Century Version)
-or-
have defiled themselves (New Living Translation (1996))
General Comment on 6:10b–c
In some languages, it may be more natural to combine the parallel parts into one line. For example:
you are unfaithful and unfit to worship me (Contemporary English Version)
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