SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021 – Page 24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 13:13

13:13a

Labor pains come upon him: This line is a figure of speech that describes the pain that Israel experiences. The pain is like the pain a mother feels when she gives birth to a child.

There are two main interpretations of the time reference in this clause.

(1) Present. It refers to Israel at the time of Hosea. For example:

Pangs of childbirth assail him (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

(2) Future. It refers to Israel at a time yet to come. For example:

The labor pains of a woman will overtake him (NET Bible)
#
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions. The verse makes good sense as a description of Israel at that time.

There are at least two possible aspects of this pain:

(a) It is severe. The nation of Israel suffers terribly as a result of sin.

(b) It signals a time for birth. The nation of Israel has the opportunity to be reborn, by repenting and returning to the LORD.

Both aspects may be intended here. Some versions make the second aspect explicit. For example:

They have the opportunity to live again (God’s Word)

13:13b

but: In Hebrew, there is no explicit contrast. However, many versions regard 13b to contrast with 13a. They supply a word such as but to indicate that contrast. Some versions do not indicate it. Indicate the connection of 13b to 13a in a natural way in your language.

he is an unwise son: This is a new figure of speech that compares Israel to an unwise child. Wisdom in the Old Testament means to live according to the LORD’s standards of right and wrong. In this figure of speech, Israel, like the infant, is described as being capable of such wisdom, but he does not use it.

13:13c

When the time arrives, he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb: This clause gives the reason for the previous line. The child has no wisdom, because he chooses not to be born.

The Hebrew clause begins with a word that introduces this clause as a reason. Some versions use a word such as “for” to indicate it. For example:

…for at the right time he does not present himself at the opening of the womb. (English Standard Version)

Many other versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible above, allow the context to indicate that this is a reason. Indicate that this is a reason in a natural way in your language.

Some versions make it explicit that the child chooses not to be born. For example:

like a child about to be born, who refuses to come out of the womb. (Good News Translation)
-or-
they are like a child who resists being born. (New Living Translation (2004))

When the time arrives: In Hebrew, this phrase is a single word meaning time. The context indicates that here time refers to the time to be born.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

at the right time (English Standard Version)
-or-
his time is due (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
like a child about to be born (Good News Translation)

he fails to present himself at the opening of the womb: The phrase he fails to present himself refers to the infant failing to move into the birth position.

The phrase at the opening of the womb is more literally “at the breaking forth of children.” It refers to the part of a woman’s body through which an infant is born.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he does not leave the womb (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
but won’t come out of its mother’s womb (God’s Word)

© 2021 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 13:14

13:14a–d

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

14a I will ransom them from the power of Sheol;

14b I will redeem them from Death.

14c Where, O Death, are your plagues ?

14d Where, O Sheol, is your sting ?

There are two main interpretations of these four clauses:

(1) The first two clauses are rhetorical questions. The implied answer is “No.” The LORD indicates by means of these rhetorical questions that he will punish Israel. For example:

Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? (New Revised Standard Version)

The second two clauses are also rhetorical questions. The LORD taunts death, implying, “Where is the destruction that you should bring to Israel? For example:

O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your destruction? (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) The first two clauses are statements. The LORD promises to save the people of Israel. For example:

I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. (English Standard Version)

The second two clauses are rhetorical questions. In light of the LORD’s preceding promise to save Israel, he here mocks death because it can no longer destroy. For example:

O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? (English Standard Version)
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It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions and commentaries. It best fits the context of judgment in the surrounding verses.

Some versions translate in a way that makes the implied meanings more explicit. For example:

Will I deliver them from the power of Sheol? No, I will not! Will I redeem them from death? No, I will not! O Death, bring on your plagues! O Sheol, bring on your destruction! (NET Bible)
-or-
Should I, the Lord, rescue you from death and the grave? No! I call death and the grave to strike you like a plague. (Contemporary English Version)

The Good News Translation translates the rhetorical questions in the first two clauses as statements:

I will not save this people from the world of the dead or rescue them from the power of death. (Good News Translation)

This may be a good translation option if a rhetorical question is not natural or effective in your language.

13:14a–b

ransom…redeem: The Hebrew word for ransom means “transfer ownership of a person or object to another.” The Hebrew word for redeem means here “reclaim [Israel] as one’s own.” In this context of ransoming/redeeming from death, the words could be translated as “save/rescue.” For example:

Will I save them from the place of the dead? Will I rescue them from death? (New Century Version)

power of Sheol: The Hebrew phrase is more literally “hand of Sheol.” In Hebrew a common figurative meaning of “hand” is power or strength.

The word Sheol can refer to “place of the dead” or just “death.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the power of Sheol (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the place of the dead (New Century Version)

Some versions leave the word power implied. For example:

“Should I ransom them from the grave? (New Living Translation (2004))

13:14c–d

Where: Here the word Where does not ask about the literal location of plagues and destruction. It is used as part of a taunt. See interpretation (1) above. Some versions translate the taunt in a different way. For example, the New Living Translation (2004) translates the rhetorical questions as commands:

O death, bring on your terrors! O grave, bring on your plagues! (New Living Translation (2004))

plagues: The Hebrew word means any kind of disease that causes death.

sting: There are two main interpretations of the meaning of the Hebrew word:

(1) It means “destruction.” For example:

O Sheol, where is your destruction? (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) It means sting. For example:

O Sheol, where is your sting? (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The most common meaning of the Hebrew word is “destruction.” It has good support from the majority of versions and scholars. However, both interpretations have good version support, so it is recommended that you give the other option in a footnote. For example:

This is what the Masoretic Text probably means. Some ancient and modern versions have “sting” here.

13:14e

Compassion is hidden from My eyes: The Hebrew word translated as Compassion is found only here in the Old Testament and the meaning is debated. There are two main interpretations of this line:

(1) The LORD will not show compassion. For example:

I will no longer have pity for this people. (Good News Translation)

(2) The LORD will not change his plan to save his people. For example:

I won’t even think of changing my plans. (God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. It better fits the recommended interpretation in 14:a-d and the context of judgment in the surrounding verses.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

I refuse to show mercy. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
For I will not take pity on them. (New Living Translation (2004))

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 13:15

13:15a–f

Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come—a wind from the LORD…: This verse describes the unexpected result of a condition. There are two possible interpretations:

(1) 15a is the condition. 15b–f is the unexpected result. For example:

15a Though he flourishes among his brothers, 15b an east wind will come (Revised English Bible)

(2) 14e is the unexpected result. 15a is the condition. For example:

14e “I will have no compassion, 15a even though he thrives among his brothers. (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries.

Here are some ways to show a condition and unexpected result:

• Introduce the condition in 15a. Leave the unexpected result implied. For example:

15a
Though Ephraim bears more fruit than his brothers, 15b the wind from the east wind will come (New Jerusalem Bible)

• Leave the condition implied. Introduce the unexpected result in 15b. For example:

15a Ephraim was the most fruitful of all his brothers, 15b but the east wind—a blast from the Lord —will arise in the desert. (New Living Translation (2004))

• Introduce both the condition in 15a and the unexpected result in 15b. For example:

15a
Even though he flourishes among his brothers, 15b nevertheless, an east wind will come….

Indicate the condition and unexpected result in a natural way in your language.

13:15a

Although: The Hebrew clause starts with a word that introduces a condition. See the examples above for other ways to indicate a condition and unexpected result.

he flourishes: The word he refers to Ephraim. Some versions make the pronoun referent explicit. For example:

Though Ephraim bears more fruit (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Hebrew word for “flourish” means to “show fruitfulness” or “flourish.”

The tense of the verb indicates that he continued to flourish up to the time that Hosea spoke these words.

Here are some other ways to translate this time span:

he thrives (New International Version)
-or-
he flourishes (Revised English Bible)

Translate this time span in a natural way in your language.

among his brothers: There are two main textual issues in this clause. The first concerns the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as among :

(1) The LXX has “between/among.” For example:

Though he flourishes among his brothers (Revised English Bible)

(2) The Masoretic Text has the word “son.” For example:

Although he, a son of brothers, flourishes

(no English versions)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with all versions.

There is also a textual issue concerning the Hebrew word for brothers in this phrase. These are the two main options:

(1) The Masoretic Text has brothers. For example:

Though Ephraim may flourish among his brothers (New American Bible, Revised Edition)

(2) Some scholars think that the original word was “reeds.” For example:

For though he flourish among reeds (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. It has good support from scholars and early versions.

Here the word brothers refers to the tribes of Israel. The phrase “Although he flourishes among his brothers” implies that the tribe of Ephraim has become great or very important among the tribes of Israel. Some versions make that implication explicit. For example:

No matter how much you prosper more than the other tribes (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The people of Ephraim have become important among their relatives. (God’s Word)

13:15b–c

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning.

15b an east wind, will come—a wind from the LORD

15c
rising up from the desert.

an east wind will come—a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert: This is the second part of the clause that begins with 15a. The phrase from the LORD indicates that these lines describe a judgment from the LORD against Ephraim. The flourishing of Ephraim will not prevent it.

The phrase east wind often refers to the sirocco. The sirocco is a devastating, drying wind that comes from the desert to the east of Israel.

Here, however, the phrase is figurative. It compares the armies of Assyria to the sirocco.

Some ways that they are similar are that:

(a) They both come from the east.

(b) They both cause destruction.

Most versions translate the phrase here as the east wind or wind or something similar. They leave the comparison to the Assyrian armies implied. It is recommended that you translate in a similar way if possible.

However, it may be confusing or unnatural in some languages to use this figure of speech. If that is true in your language, here are some other ways to translate this figure of speech:

• Change the figure of speech to a simile. For example:

15b
⌊ the enemy is like⌋an east wind ⌊that ⌋ will come—a wind from the LORD

15c rising up from the desert.

• Change the figure of speech to a simile and make explicit the way that they are similar. For example:

15b
⌊ the enemy will destroy like⌋an east wind ⌊that ⌋ will come—a wind from the LORD

15c rising up from the desert.

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

15b The LORD will send the enemy. They will come from the east,

15c moving swiftly from the wilderness.

• Use a different figure of speech with the same meaning that is natural in your language.

The east wind figure of speech continues in 15d–f. If you make a change in 15b–c you may need to make changes to 15d–f to concord with it. For example, if in 15b–c you translate the meaning without the figure of speech, you may need to translate 15d–f without the figure of speech there as well.

desert: This word refers to dry and barren land where very few people live. Another way to translate desert is “wilderness” (English Standard Version).

13:15d–e

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning.

15d
His fountain will fail,

15e and his spring will run dry.

These lines describe the effect of the drying wind on the water sources of Israel. They will dry up.

fountain…spring: The Hebrew words for fountain and spring are closely related. The word for fountain means a water source. The Hebrew word for spring also means “source” or “headwaters.”

Here are some other ways to translate these lines:

his spring will dry up; his well will become dry (NET Bible)
-or-
All their flowing springs will run dry, and all their wells will disappear. (New Living Translation (2004))

Another option is to combine these two lines 15d–e. For example:

dries up streams of water (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and it will dry up their springs and wells (Good News Translation)

fail…run dry: The Hebrew words for fail and run dry both mean to “dry up.”

13:15f

The wind will plunder his treasury of every precious article: This clause probably refers to the plunder of Ephraim by Assyrian armies. The LORD used them to judge Ephraim.

Here are four acceptable ways to describe this event:

• Say that the east wind plunders. For example:

However, the Lord ’s scorching wind will come from the east…. The wind will destroy every precious thing in their storehouses. (God’s Word)

• Say that it is the LORD who plunders. For example:

the Lord will send a wind from the east…. He will destroy from their treasure houses everything of value. (New Century Version)

• Say that the enemy plunders. For example:

an east wind will come, a blast from the Lord rising over the desert….The enemy will plunder his wealth, all his costly treasures. (Revised English Bible)

• Leave the agent of plundering implied. For example:

Every precious thing they own will be plundered and carried away. (New Living Translation (2004))

treasury: There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word for treasury in this context:

(1) The word means treasury. A treasury is a place where valuable things are stored. For example:

to strip his treasury of everything worth having (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The word means “treasure(s)” (valuable things). For example:

That [wind] shall plunder treasures, Every lovely object. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

The display will follow interpretation (1). However, the Hebrew word can mean either treasures or the place treasures are stored. So either interpretation is acceptable.

every precious article: The Hebrew phrase for every precious article is more literally “every vessel of preciousness.” This phrase refers to objects of value, such as those made of silver or gold. It may refer in particular to treasures of the king and or temple, but it could include those of the general population as well.

Here are some other ways to translate the phrase:

all its treasures (New International Version)
-or-
your precious treasures (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
everything of value (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 13:16

13:16a

Samaria will bear her guilt: There is a textual issue concerning the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as bear her guilt :

(1) The Masoretic Text has “it/she will be held guilty Samaria.” For example:

Samaria will be held guilty (NET Bible)

(2) The LXX has “Samaria will be destroyed.” For example:

Samaria will become desolate (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions and commentaries. The word guilt implies that a person has sinned. The phrase bear her guilt means the people of Samaria will suffer the consequences of their sin.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

The people of Samaria are guilty as charged (God’s Word)
-or-
The people of Samaria must bear the consequences of their guilt (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Samaria will pay the penalty (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Samaria will be punished (Contemporary English Version)

Samaria: It is possible that the name Samaria represents the nation of Israel here, as “Ephraim” often does elsewhere. However, it is not certain. It makes good sense for Hosea to speak of the literal city and people of Samaria at that time, just prior to the Assyrian invasion of Samaria. It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that translate the name either as Samaria or “the people of Samaria.”

13:16b

because she has rebelled against her God: This line gives the basis or reason for Samaria’s guilt. Samaria is guilty of rebellion against God. A Hebrew word, translated here as because (“for” in some versions), introduces the reason. Introduce this reason in a natural way in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

For she has defied her God (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
Samaria will be punished for turning against me. (Contemporary English Version)

her God: This phrase points to the relationship that the people should have with God. Hosea may intend to give attention to how inexcusable their behavior is. They rebel as if he is not their God. Some versions leave the word her implied. However, it is recommended that you translate the complete phrase, her God.

God: In this clause, the Hebrew word for God is a form of elohim and not YHWH. Use your general term for God here.

13:16c–e

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning.

16c
They will fall by the sword;

16d
their little ones will be dashed to pieces,

16e and their pregnant women ripped open.

These three lines describe the terrible consequences of the people’s rebellion against God. They will suffer and die in war. The first line is a more general statement. The second and third lines give specific examples.

There is an ellipsis in the third line. In some languages the verb may need to be supplied. For example:

and their pregnant women ⌊will be ⌋ ripped open

The second and third lines are passive in form. In some languages, it will be more natural to use active forms. For example:

16d the enemy will dash Samaria’s little ones to pieces,

16e they will rip open the pregnant women.

13:16c

They will fall by the sword: This phrase can mean that the Assyrian army will kill some people using swords. The same phrase can be a figure of speech that means people will die in war, regardless of the weapon used. It is a standard description of the devastation of war. Some versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible above, translate the Hebrew phrase more literally. Others translate the wider meaning of war. Either way to translate this phrase is acceptable. Here are some other examples:

Her people will die in war. (Good News Translation)
-or-
They will be killed by an invading army (New Living Translation (2004))

13:16d

their little ones will be dashed to pieces: This line is probably meant literally.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

children will be beaten against rocks (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
their children will be smashed to death (God’s Word)

13:16e

their pregnant women ripped open: This line is also probably meant literally.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

their pregnant women ripped open by swords (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
their pregnant women disemboweled (New Jerusalem Bible)

General Comment on Hosea 13:16a–e

The Hebrew pronouns that refer to Samaria within this verse vary in number and gender. 16a–b has feminine singular, “she/her.” 16c–d has masculine plural, “they/their.” 16e has masculine singular, “his.” This amount of variation within a single verse is not natural in some languages. Translate these references to the city and people of Samaria in a natural way in your language.

Here are some possible options:

• Use a combination of singular and plural pronouns. For example:

Samaria shall bear her guilt, because she has rebelled against her God; they shall fall by the sword, their little ones shall be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open. (Revised Standard Version)

• Use only singular pronouns. For example:

Samaria must be punished for rebelling against me. Her people will die in war; babies will be dashed to the ground, and pregnant women will be ripped open.” (Good News Translation)

• Use only plural pronouns. For example:

The people of Samaria are guilty as charged because they rebelled against their God. They will be killed in war, their children will be smashed to death, and their pregnant women will be ripped open. (God’s Word)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:1

Division 14:1–9

A message of repentance and promise

This division concludes the book of Hosea. The mood is hopeful and the verses are poetic. Hosea pleads with the people of Israel to return to the LORD. If the people repent, the LORD will forgive them and restore their nation. The book of Hosea ends with a wise saying that is like a proverb. Here are some other examples of section headings:

Repentance to Bring Blessing (New International Version)
-or-
The Repentance and Reconciliation of Israel (New Jerusalem Bible)

Section 14:1–3

Hosea pleads with his fellow Israelites to return to the LORD

Hosea is the speaker in this section. He urges the people of Israel to acknowledge their sin and their need for the LORD. He gives them an example of a prayer that will express their repentance. Here are some other examples of section headings:

Hosea’s Plea to Israel (Good News Translation)
-or-
Turn back to the Lord (Contemporary English Version)

Paragraph 14:1–3

14:1a

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God: In this clause, Hosea urges the nation of Israel to return to the LORD. This clause implies that the people are to repent and submit to the LORD.

O Israel: Here Hosea addressed the people of Israel directly. Some versions have added the word O to make it clear that O Israel is a term of address (vocative). Use a vocative that is natural in your language when a person speaks to a group of people.

The name Israel is a figure of speech that represents all the people of Israel. Some versions translate this meaning explicitly. For example:

Return to the Lord your God, people of Israel. (Good News Translation)

Return…to the LORD your God: In Hebrew, the form of the word Return here indicates an invitation or plea. Another way to translate Return is “come back.” For example:

Israel, come back to Yahweh your God (New Jerusalem Bible)

The Hebrew preposition translated as to indicates that the people need to fully and seriously return to the LORD. Some versions make this meaning more explicit by repeating the plea or by adding special punctuation. For example:

Israel, return! Come back to the Lord your God. (Contemporary English Version)

the LORD your God: The pronoun your in this phrase is a reminder to the people that the LORD is still their God, in spite of their sins. In some languages, this pronoun may imply that the LORD is not Hosea’s God. If that is true in your language, you may use the inclusive pronoun “our.”

14:1b

for you have stumbled by your iniquity: This clause states the reason for Hosea’s plea.

In Hebrew the clause begins with a word that introduces a reason. Some versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible above, translate this word as “because” or for.

Some other versions leave the reason implied. Use a natural way in your language to indicate that this clause is a reason.

The Hebrew word for iniquity is the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “iniquity” in Hosea 13:12. See the note there on “iniquity…sin” for more information.

stumbled: The literal meaning is to fall physically. Here it has the figurative meaning of “to fail” or to be “ruined.” The people have sinned and have experienced ruin and failure as a result.

Here are two ways to translate this meaning:

• Translate the word as “stumble” and leave the figurative meaning implied. For example:

For you have stumbled because of your iniquity. (English Standard Version)

This option is acceptable in languages in which the figurative meaning will be understood.

• Translate the meaning directly. For example:

For your sin has been your downfall! (NET Bible)
-or-
Because your sins have ruined you.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:2

14:2

In this verse, Hosea explains how the people should return to the LORD. He offers a model prayer. It shows that a true return requires humility and sincere words.

14:2a

Bring your confessions and return to the LORD: According to OT teaching, people took an offering to God when they came to him. See Exodus 23:15; 34:20. The usual offering was an animal. Here, however, Hosea told them to take an offering of their words instead of an animal.

The words they should offer are the words that Hosea tells them to say to the LORD in the rest of this verse and in 14:3.

Some versions make clearer what words Hosea refers to here. For example:

Come back to the Lord and say these words to him: “Take away all our sin and kindly receive us…. (New Century Version)
-or-
Come back to the Lord with your words of confession (Revised English Bible)

14:2b

The Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures has been used as the source line for 2b–c because it follows the recommended interpretations.

(Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures) Say to him: “Forgive all guilt and accept what is good: In this clause Hosea tells the people how to begin their prayer.

Forgive all guilt:
The word Forgive means to “take away guilt.” For information on the word guilt see the note in Hosea 13:12 on “guilt…sins.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

Take away all iniquity (English Standard Version)
-or-
Forgive all our sins (New Living Translation (2004))

And accept what is good: There is a textual issue regarding the Hebrew word that the Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures translates as what is good.

(1) The Hebrew word is: good. For example:

accept what is good (English Standard Version)

(2) The Hebrew word is: “word/speech.” For example:

accept our prayer (Good News Translation)

#(3) The Hebrew word is: “graciously.” For example:

and graciously receive us (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow option (1). It has the best support from lexicons. However, in this context, the phrase what is good refers to words of confession and repentance in prayer. For that reason option (2) is also acceptable.

14:2c

(Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures) instead of bulls we will pay [the offering of] our lips: The Hebrew clause is more literally “so that (or: and) we may pay bulls our lips.” There is a textual issue concerning the Hebrew word for bulls :

(1) The Hebrew MT has bulls. For example:

Accept our good sacrifices of praise instead of bulls. (Contemporary English Version)
#
(2) The LXX has “fruit.” For example:

accept that which is good and we will offer the fruit of our lips (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with the majority of versions. It is similar to the first part of the verse in which Hosea urges the people to take their words of repentance to the LORD.

There are two acceptable ways to understand the connection of this clause to the preceding one:

• This clause explains the phrase “what is good” in the preceding clause The offering of praise from our lips is what is good. For example:

Accept what is good, namely the praise of our lips as equal to an offering of bulls.

• This clause gives the result of what is said in the preceding clause. God’s acceptance of our prayer of repentance allows us to offer praise as a result. For example:

Accept our penitential prayer, that we may offer the praise of our lips as sacrificial bulls. (NET Bible)

we will pay [the offering of] our lips: Here the Hebrew word for pay means to make a payment to fulfill a vow. The words the offering of are not in the Hebrew text but they are implied by the reference to bulls.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause part:

we may offer you the sacrifice of praise (New Living Translation (1996))
-or-
we will dedicate to you our lips. (New Jerusalem Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:3

14:3

Hosea’s model prayer continues in this verse. It includes a list of three main sins that the people should confess and turn away from:

(a) trust in foreign powers

(b) trust in military strength

They should stop depending on these things and depend instead on the LORD. They should acknowledge that the Lord is the one who cares for people like themselves, who have become like orphans.

14:3a

Assyria will not save us: In this part of the prayer, the people admit to the LORD that the nation of Assyria will not save them from their enemies. Instead they promise to trust in the LORD to save them from danger.

Assyria may be a figure of speech that represents all foreign nations that Israel relied on to protect them. Most versions leave the figurative meaning implicit.

save: This word means “deliver/save” from peril.

14:3b

nor will we ride on horses: In this part of the prayer, the people promise to trust in the LORD to save them from danger. They will not trust in their own military strength.

At that time, armies used horses in battle to carry soldiers and to pull chariots.

Here, riding horses is probably a figure of speech that represents the armies and the military strength of the Israelites. Hosea refers to horses in a similar way in 1:7.

Some versions make it more explicit that the Hebrew words refer to using horses in war.

Here are some other ways to translate this promise:

we will not mount war-horses (New International Version)
-or-
We will not ride warhorses (NET Bible)
-or-
and war horses cannot protect us. (Good News Translation)

horses: In Hebrew, this word is a collective singular “horse” that indicates horses. In many languages, it is more natural to use plural here, as in the Berean Standard Bible.

14:3c

We will never again say, ‘Our gods!’ to the work of our own hands: In this part of the prayer, the people acknowledge that idols are objects that humans have made. They are not gods, and the people promise to stop worshiping them.

In some languages, it may be more natural to use indirect speech here. For example:

We will never again say that the things our hands have made are our gods. (God’s Word)

gods: In Hebrew, this word is plural. However, there are two interpretations of the intended meaning:

(1) It means gods. The word refers to more than one idol. For example:

Never again will we say to the idols we have made, ‘You are our gods.’ (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It means god/God. The Hebrew word is a plural of majesty that refers to one god. For example:

Nor will we say again, ‘Our god,’ (New American Standard Bible)

The Display will follow interpretation (1), but either interpretation is acceptable. Follow the interpretation that is the most natural in your language in this context.

the work of our own hands: This phrase refers to “idols.”

14:3d

For in You the fatherless find compassion: In this part of the prayer, the people acknowledge that the LORD shows compassion to orphans.

The first word in the clause introduces a reason. The reason that the people should repent and return to the LORD is because he shows compassion to orphans. Some versions use a word such as For or “since” to introduce this reason. Some other versions leave it implied that this clause is a reason. For example:

In you the orphan finds mercy. (English Standard Version)

Use a natural way in your language to indicate that this clause is a reason.

This part of the prayer implies that Israel is fatherless. The people have become orphans because of their rebellion against the LORD. The prayer is a request that the LORD will show compassion and restore his relationship with them as his children.

fatherless: The Hebrew word means “orphan, fatherless.” Many versions translate the word as “orphan.” For example:

for you are the one in whom orphans find compassion. (New Jerusalem Bible)

compassion: The Hebrew word for compassion means to “love deeply, have mercy, be compassionate.”

The words compassion and “fatherless” link this last chapter of Hosea to the first two chapters of the book. Forms of the Hebrew word for compassion rhm occur in Hosea 1:6; 2:1, 19, 23. In those verses, the name of Hosea’s daughter was Lo-ruhamah “not loved” (or “not shown compassion”). The name indicated that the LORD no longer loved or had compassion for Israel.

The name of Hosea’s son, Lo-ammi “not my people” indicated that the LORD was no longer Israel’s father. In 2:23, however, the LORD promised that one day he would again love Israel and that the people would again become his own people. Here in 14:3d, this same promise is affirmed.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:4

Section 14:4–8

The LORD promises to forgive and restore the Israelites

The LORD is the speaker in this section. In Hosea 14:4–7, the LORD gives his response to the people’s prayer of repentance in the form of a poem. In 14:8, he reminds the people that he will not tolerate idols. He also promises to care for the people and bless them. Here are other examples of section headings:

The Lord Promises to Forgive (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
The Lord Promises New Life for Israel (New Jerusalem Bible)

Paragraph 14:4–7

This paragraph is a poem with thirteen lines. In Hebrew, verses 4–6 each have three lines. Verse 7 has four lines.

4a
I will heal their apostasy;

4b
I will freely love them,

4c for My anger has turned away from them.

5a
I will be like the dew to Israel;

5b
he will blossom like a lily

5c and take root like the cedars of Lebanon.

6a
His shoots will sprout,

6b and his splendor will be like the olive tree,

6c
his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.

7a
They will return and dwell in his shade;

7b
they will grow grain

7c and blossom like the vine.

7d
His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

The poem has two main parts. In 14:4, the LORD gives his response to Israel’s prayer in direct, nonfigurative words. He promises them healing, love and forgiveness.

In 14:5–7, the LORD describes aspects of his healing, love and forgiveness more fully. Each line in this part of the poem is a figure of speech (simile or metaphor) that compares the LORD or Israel to something from nature that was familiar to people in that part of the world.

Verses 5–7 each end with the name “Lebanon.” “Lebanon” refers to the mountainous area of northern Galilee and modern-day Lebanon. It is a fertile and fragrant region.

14:4a

I will heal their apostasy:
The Hebrew word for apostasy means “falling away” or “backsliding.”

The Hebrew word for heal is figurative here. It means to heal hurts of the nation, involving the LORD’s restored favor and forgiveness. This healing may include several aspects:

(a) The LORD will heal/correct the people’s rebellious, willful spirit.

(b) The LORD will heal/correct the problems that their waywardness has caused.

(d) The LORD will forgive them.

(e) The LORD will restore their covenant relationship.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

I will cure them of their unfaithfulness (God’s Word)
-or-
I will heal their disloyalty (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I will forgive them for leaving me (New Century Version)
-or-
The Lord says, “I will bring my people back to me. (Good News Translation)

14:4b

I will freely love them: Some versions supply the word “and” here. Others, like the Berean Standard Bible, do not. For example:

The phrase freely love them indicates that God’s love for the people is voluntary and not forced. It also indicates that his love is generous.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

Generously will I take them back in love (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
I will love them with all my heart (Good News Translation)
-or-
I will heal you and love you without limit. (Contemporary English Version)

14:4c

for My anger has turned away from them: The phrase anger has turned away means to stop being angry. This clause implies that the LORD’s judgment against Israel is now complete.

The first word in the clause introduces a reason. The reason that the LORD will heal and love them unconditionally is because he has turned his anger away from them. Some versions use a word such as for or “because” to introduce this reason. Some other versions leave the reason implied. For example:

I will no longer be angry with them. (God’s Word)

Use a natural way in your language to indicate that this clause is a reason.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

because I am not angry with them anymore (New Century Version)
-or-
for my anger will be gone forever (New Living Translation (2004))

them: The Hebrew word here is literally “him.” The singular pronoun refers to the nation of Israel as one group. However, it may be more natural in some languages to continue to use the pronoun them to refer to the people of the nation, as in 4a–b and many versions, including the Berean Standard Bible above.

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 13:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 13:14

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 13:15

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 13:16

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:3

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:4

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