This verse consists of a promise that is supported by a divine oath.

I will not execute my fierce anger renders the Hebrew somewhat literally. Execute translates the Hebrew verb meaning “do” or “make.” My fierce anger is literally “blaze of my nostril.” The receptor language may have a similar idiom to express extreme anger. If not, it may be possible to say “my burning anger” (English Standard Version) or “my glowing anger.” Good News Translation does not express the fierceness of the anger well.

I will not again destroy Ephraim is literally “I will not turn to destroy Ephraim” (similarly New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), which, in this context, means God will not turn from his purpose of love. New English Bible says “I will not turn round and destroy Ephraim.” Similar translations are “I will not turn to destroy Ephraim” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy), “and I will not return to the plan to destroy Ephraim” (Bible en français courant), and “nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim” (New International Version). However, Revised Standard Version and many other translations understand this line to mean that God will not destroy Israel again, but this interpretation does not fit the context. At this time Yahweh had not destroyed Ephraim a first time. He had only planned to do it. And even when something has been destroyed, there is no point in speaking about destroying it again.

As usual, Good News Translation uses “Israel” instead of Ephraim (see comments on 4.17). Since God is addressing the Israelites here, some languages may prefer to say “you, Ephraim” (similarly Contemporary English Version).

For I am God and not man: Human beings may change their plans and purposes, but God, who is not like humans, does not change from his purpose of love. This line has the effect of an oath. For renders the Hebrew word ki. Here it introduces the grounds for God not destroying Israel. The word man is used in the generic sense of “human being” (Good News Translation).

The Holy One in your midst: The Hebrew word for Holy emphasizes the idea of God being separate, away from what is common or evil. Not only is that the very nature of God, but the “separate” one is in your midst! This is an idea that fits with the story of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, located in the middle of the camp of Israel. Here it means that God continues to be that close to Israel. And this is the reason why he will not destroy his people. In your midst also reminds us of the presence of God in the Temple (see 2 Chr 7.1-2). However, the Temple was in Jerusalem, in the land of Judah, not in northern Israel. The Hebrew expression for in your midst emphasizes the idea that God is very close to them, and is with them. And even though they did not have the Temple in the northern kingdom of Israel, God was still in their midst. Good News Translation says simply “I … am with you.”

And I will not come to destroy: The last Hebrew word in this line can mean “into the city” (King James Version), but this reading does not make sense here. However, another possible, but rare, meaning of the Hebrew word for “city” is “anger/fury.” So Good News Translation interprets the Hebrew to mean “in anger,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh is similar with “in fury.” This meaning makes sense. Revised Standard Version emends the text to read to destroy, but this change is unnecessary.

A translation model for this verse is:

• I will not punish you in my raging anger,
I will not turn to wipe out Ephraim,
for I am God, not just a human.
I am among you, I am holy,
I will not come in anger.

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 .