6:16
There are two main ways to interpret the relationship between 6:16 and the previous verses:
(1) Verse 6:16 repeats the main themes of the previous verses in a more concise way. The repeated themes are sin, and the judgment that results. People sinned by following the practices of King Omri and Ahab. As a result the LORD will judge them. For example:
You have kept Omri’s laws and all the practices of the descendants of Ahab, and you have followed their advice. That is why I will ruin you. Your people will be ridiculed. You will bear the disgrace of my people.” (God’s Word)
(2) Verse 6:16 gives the reason for the LORD’s judgment described in 6:13–15. The reason for that judgment is that the people followed the practices of Omri and Ahab. The second part of 6:16 announces another judgment. For example:
Jerusalem, this will happen because you followed the sinful example of kings Omri and Ahab. Now I will destroy you and your property. Then the people of every nation will make fun and insult you. (Contemporary English Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has good commentary and version support. It also does not conflict with 6:13a.
6:16a–c
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
16a
You have kept the statutes of Omri
16b and all the practices of Ahab’s house;
16c
you have followed their counsel.
There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:16b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:16a. For example:
16b and ⌊you have kept⌋ all the practices of Ahab’s house;
These parallel lines give examples from Israel’s history to show how the people had sinned. Omri and his son Ahab were the longest ruling kings in the northern kingdom and were known for their wickedness. They abused their power, they exploited others, and they worshiped idols. See 1 Kings 16:25–33.
6:16a
You have kept the statutes of Omri: This line is more literally “and it has been kept the statutes of Omri.” Many versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, translate this line with an active verb. In some languages, it will be more natural to use passive forms. For example:
The statutes of Omri and all the works of the house of Ahab are observed (New American Standard Bible)
In Hebrew, this sentence starts with “and.” Here the word may indicate that this clause is the concluding indictment against the people. In this context, it does not indicate “because.” For more details, see the note above on “the relationship between 6:16 and the previous verses.” Many versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, leave this word implied.
the statutes of Omri: This line means that the people did the same kinds of things that Omri had done. In this context, the word statutes probably does not refer to laws or ordinances but to customs and practices/behaviors. For more details see 2 Kings 17:7–20.
Here are some other ways to translate this line:
the evil practices of King Omri (Good News Translation)
-or-
you have followed the wicked customs of Omri
6:16b
and all the practices of Ahab’s house: This parallel line means that the people also did the kinds of deeds that King Ahab and his family had done.
The practices of Ahab’s house may include the following evil acts:
(a) Marriage to an idolater
(b) Baal worship
(c) Robbery and murder
(d) Persecution of true prophets
(e) Child sacrifice
(f) Unjust and oppressive measures
(g) Apostasy, depravity, greed and injustice
Ahab’s house: This phrase means “Ahab’s family/household.” His household included his wife, children, dependent relatives, officials and slaves. The phrase probably also included his descendants who later became kings.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
Ahab’s dynasty (NET Bible)
-or-
the descendants of Ahab (God’s Word)
-or-
Ahab’s family (New Century Version)
6:16c
you have followed their counsel: This line means that the people followed the bad example of Omri and Ahab and his family by continuing the same kinds of evil practices.
Here are some other ways to translate this line:
You have continued their policies (Good News Translation)
-or-
by modelling yourselves on their standards (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
you have followed their traditions (New International Version)
counsel: In Hebrew, this word means “plans” or “decisions.” It refers to a person’s usual way of living/acting.
General Comment on 6:16a–c
In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder these three lines into one or two lines. For example.
16a–c you followed the sinful example of kings Omri and Ahab (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
16a–b you have followed the evil practices of King Omri and of his son, King Ahab. 16c You have continued their policies (Good News Translation)
6:16d–e
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
16d Therefore I will make you a desolation,
16e and your inhabitants an object of contempt;
There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 6:16e. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 6:16d. For example:
16e and ⌊I will make⌋ your inhabitants an object of contempt;
These two parallel lines and the next line are three parts of a judgment against the city of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. This judgment was the LORD’s response to the sin described in 16a–c.
Therefore: In Hebrew, this word is more literally “so that” or “to the end that.” The meaning is that judgment was the inevitable consequence of people’s disobedience. It may imply that the LORD had no alternative other than to judge.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
That is why (God’s Word)
-or-
you force me (New Jerusalem Bible)
you…your inhabitants: The referent of you and your is probably the city of Jerusalem and/or the entire kingdom of Judah. The references to both you and your inhabitants probably indicates that the judgment would be against the people as well as the places where they lived.
Here are some other ways to translate these referents:
you and your property (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
you…your citizens (New Jerusalem Bible)
a desolation…an object of contempt: Both phrases describe a situation that is so awful or appalling that people react to it with astonishment and horror.
In Hebrew, the word desolation means both “ruin/waste” and “appalment/horror.”
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
an appalling sight (NET Bible)
-or-
an object of horror (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
give you over to ruin (New International Version)
-or-
let you be destroyed (New Century Version)
The phrase an object of contempt is more literally, “an object of hissing.” This means that people will make a hissing sound in response to the ruin. At that time the act of hissing indicated scorn and ridicule.
If your language group has this custom with the same meaning, you may be able to translate this phrase literally. However, if this custom is unknown or has a different meaning in your language group, here are some other ways to translate it:
will be taunted derisively (NET Bible)
-or-
will be treated with contempt (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
will be laughed at (New Century Version)
6:16f
you will bear the scorn of the nations: There is a textual issue with the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as nations :
(1) The Masoretic Text has “my people.” The word refers to the LORD’s people. They are scorned by other people. The identity of the scorners is left implicit. For example:
and you will endure the insults aimed at my people (Revised English Bible)
(English Standard Version, God’s Word, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible)
(2) The LXX has “of peoples.” The word refers to people of other nations. They scorn Yahweh’s people. For example:
and other nations will make fun of you (New Century Version)
The Display will follow option (1). It makes good sense and has good support from commentators, the Peshitta, and modern versions. However, option (2) also has good support from modern versions and some commentators. You may want to follow this option if it is followed by a major language translation in your area.
This is the third part of the LORD’s judgment against the city of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah. The LORD’s people who live there will bear/endure scorn from people of other nations.
scorn: This word means “reproach” or “contempt.” In this context, it indicates that other nations insult, taunt, or mock the LORD’s people.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
bear the disgrace of my people (God’s Word)
-or-
suffer taunts and mocking directed against my people
-or-
you, my people will be jeered and shamed
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