7:12a

As they go: This clause probably implies “As they go to Assyria” or “As they go to Assyria and Egypt.” The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as As has various possible meanings, depending on the context.

Here are some other ways to translate the clause:

When they go (New International Version)
-or-

while they are flying (NET Bible)
-or-

Wherever they turn (New Jerusalem Bible)

7:12b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

12b
I will spread My net over them;

12c
I will bring them down like birds of the air.

These lines expand the simile that compares Ephraim to a dove. Here the people of Israel are compared to a flock of birds that the LORD will capture in a net. The nonfigurative meaning is that the LORD will stop the Israelites as they attempt to go to Assyria and Egypt to negotiate alliances.

I will spread My net over them; I will bring them down like birds of the air: These lines figuratively describe the LORD as a bird trapper. A trapper throws a net over the birds just as they are beginning to take off. The net prevents them from flying away so that he can capture them.

birds of the air: In Hebrew, this phrase is a common way to refer to birds. In many languages, it is not natural to make the phrase of the air explicit. For example:

birds (Revised English Bible)

7:12d

I will chastise them when I hear them flocking together: In Hebrew, this verse part is literally “I will chasten them at/when (or: “according to”) a report about/to their assembly.” There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text has the words “report” and “assembly.” For example:

I shall take them captive when I hear them gathering. (Revised English Bible)

(2) Some versions delete the word “report” and change the word “assembly” to “wicked.” For example:

I will chastise them for their wicked deeds. (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with all the commentaries used in preparing these Notes. The LXX and Vulgate both support the use of these words.

There are two main ways to interpret the Hebrew word that precedes “report”:

(1) The word means “at” or when. With this meaning, verse 7:12d refers to the time when the LORD will hear about the Israelites gathering together like a flock of birds. At that time, he will discipline them. For example:

I will discipline them when I hear them flocking together. (NET Bible)

(2) The word means “according to.” With this meaning, verse 7:12d indicates that the LORD will discipline the Israelites. He will do this in a way that accords with a report that is made to an assembly of people. For example:

I will discipline them according to the report made to their congregation. (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This interpretation continues the figurative description of the LORD as a trapper who catches birds in a net.

I will chastise them: In Hebrew, the word chastise is literally “chasten.” This word can refer to moral instruction, rebuke, or punishment. The purpose is to correct wrong behavior. In this context, it indicates that the LORD will discipline or punish the people of Israel. He will probably do this by allowing Assyria to capture them and take them into exile.

Here are some ways to translate 7:12d:

• Use one or more metaphors that continue the figurative language of 7:12b–c. See the New International Version, Revised English Bible, and NET Bible (quoted above).

• Change one or more of the metaphors to a simile. For example:

When I hear them gathering together like a flock of birds, I will punish them.

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

I will chastise them when I hear their bargaining. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

when I hear them flocking together: This clause translates the Hebrew words in a figurative way. It describes the time when a trapper hears the noise of birds that have gathered together in a flock.

This clause refers to the time when the LORD hears news about a group of people who have gathered together. This gathering may refer to Israel’s leaders who meet with representatives of Egypt and/or Assyria to seek aid from them.

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