SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021 – Page 25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:5

14:5a

I will be like the dew to Israel: This clause is a simile in which the LORD compares himself to dew. The word dew refers to the drops of water that appear on plants in the evening and/or morning.

Here are two ways that the LORD is similar to dew:

(a) He gives refreshment.

(b) He provides what is needed for life and health.

Some versions make explicit a way that the LORD and dew are similar. For example:

I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. (New Living Translation (2004))

14:5b

he will blossom like the lily: This clause is a simile that compares Israel to a lily. Israel will blossom in a way similar to a lily.

The Hebrew word for lily refers to a flower. The Hebrew word for blossom means to “bud” or “sprout.” Here it probably refers to a bud opening into a flower blossom.

Here are some ways that Israel will (figuratively) blossom:

(a) The people will reproduce abundantly like a lily.

(b) Israel will be beautiful and fragrant like a lily.

Some versions make explicit that the pronoun he refers to Israel. For example:

Israel will blossom like the lily (New Living Translation (2004))

Some versions have “flowers” instead of lily. This may be a good translation option to follow in languages that do not have a word for lily. For example:

They will blossom like flowers (Good News Translation)

14:5c

and take root like the cedars of Lebanon: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “and it will strike its roots like (the) Lebanon.” There is a textual issue with the name Lebanon in this clause:

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

and he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon (New American Standard Bible)

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

he shall strike root as the poplar (Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions and scholars. Ancient versions also follow this option.

The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as take root is more literally “and it will strike.” The phrase “strike its roots” means to “thrust” roots into the ground.

The clause is a simile that compares Israel’s roots to the roots of a cedar of Lebanon. This comparison implies several things:

(a) Their roots provide nourishment, so Israel will have splendor/glory.

(b) Their roots are hardy, so Israel will become great and last a long time.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

They will be firmly rooted like the trees of Lebanon. (Good News Translation)
-or-
it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon. (New Living Translation (2004))

cedars of Lebanon: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cedars of Lebanon is more literally “like the Lebanon.” There are at least two acceptable ways to translate this expression. They are listed here in order of more specific to less specific:

• Make explicit that this expression probably refers to “cedar” trees that were famous in Lebanon at that time. For example:

He will send down his roots like a cedar of Lebanon. (NET Bible)

• Make explicit that this expression may refer to the trees or forests of Lebanon. For example:

he shall strike root like the forests of Lebanon. (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon (English Standard Version)

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
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SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:6

14:6a

His shoots will sprout: This clause continues the agricultural metaphors of 5b (“lily”) and 5c (“cedar”). The pronoun His refers to the nation of Israel. There are three main ways to interpret the reference of this clause:

(1) The clause refers backward to the cedar in 14:5c. Most versions do not repeat the word “cedar” in this clause, but that would be the most natural referent. For example:

(6c …like the Lebanon cedar,) and put forth his shoots (New American Bible)
-or-
(6c…like the forests of Lebanon.) His shoots shall spread out (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) The clause refers in general to shoots or new branches of any kind of tree. For example:

They will be alive with new growth (Good News Translation)
-or-
They will be like growing branches. (God’s Word)

(3) The clause refers forward to shoots of olive trees in 14:6b. For example:

Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees (New Living Translation (2004))

You may follow either of the first two interpretations. Most versions that are listed under interpretation (2) could also refer to cedar branches because of the preceding context. The Display will follow interpretation (1) along with the majority of versions.

shoots: In Hebrew, this phrase refers to the new growth of branches. The Hebrew word for “sprout” means to “grow out” or “spread.”

Here are some implications of this metaphor:

(a) Israel will have many young shoots.

(b) Israel’s young shoots will spread widely.

Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:

• Use a metaphor. Make the similarity explicit if it will be helpful. For example:

Israel will grow branches ⌊that are numerous and strong ⌋.

• Use a simile. Make the similarity or topic explicit if it will be helpful. For example:

Israel ⌊is like a tree that ⌋ sends out ⌊many ⌋ shoots.
-or-
They will be like spreading branches. (New Century Version)

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

The people of Israel will increase in number and become strong.

14:6b

his splendor will be like the olive tree: This clause is a simile that compares Israel’s splendor to that of an olive tree.

Olive trees grow to an old age and produce valuable oil. The Hebrew word for splendor can also mean “majesty,” “vigor” or “glory.”

This comparison implies several things:

(a) Israel will be beautiful like an olive tree.

(b) Israel will have value like an olive tree.

Many versions translate this word as “beauty/beautiful.” For example:

he will have the beauty of the olive tree (New Jerusalem Bible)

14:6c

his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon: This clause is a simile that compares the fragrance of Israel to that of the cedars of Lebanon. (See the note on paragraph 14:4–7 for the ellipsis in this verse.)

cedars of Lebanon: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cedars of Lebanon is more literally “like the Lebanon.” As in 14:5c, there are at least two acceptable ways to translate this expression. They are listed here in order of more specific to less specific:

• Make explicit that this expression probably refers to “cedar” trees that were famous in Lebanon at that time. Cedar trees have a very pleasant aroma. For example:

and the sweet-smelling cedars in Lebanon (New Century Version)

• Make explicit that this expression may refer to the forests of Lebanon. For example:

and with the aroma of Lebanon Forest (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:7

14:7a

They will return and dwell in his shade: There are textual and interpretation issues in this clause. The first textual issue concerns the relationship of the subject and predicate. The issue of his/my shade will be discussed separately.

(1) The LXX has “they will return and they will sit under his shelter.” With this option, the subject “they” will do two things: return and dwell. Some versions imply return by the phrase “dwell again.” The word dwell functions as a verb. For example:

People will reside again in his shade (NET Bible)

(2) The Masoretic Text has “they will return [those who] dwell in its/his shade.” With this option, those who return are identified as those who dwell in his shade. The word dwell functions as the participial noun “dwellers.” For example:

They that dwell under his shadow shall return (King James Version)

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

There are two main interpretations of the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as return :

(1) The word means “again.” For example:

Again they shall dwell in his shade (New American Bible)

(2) The word means return. For example:

They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow (English Standard Version)

You may follow either interpretation. Interpretation (1) is supported by most versions. Interpretation (2) is supported by more commentaries. Each interpretation implies the other one. The Display will follow interpretation (1) but will include return in the 2nd ML as implied information.

dwell: This word means to inhabit or reside somewhere. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

live (God’s Word)
-or-
reside (NET Bible)

in his shade: There is a textual issue in this phrase regarding the referent of the pronoun his :

(1) The pronoun refers to “Israel.” For example:

People will reside again in his shade. (NET Bible)

(2) The pronoun refers to God. For example:

My people will again live under my shade. (New Living Translation (2004))

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It has good support from commentaries as well as the LXX and the Peshitta. Verses 5 and 6 describe the nation of Israel figuratively as a cedar tree. It is reasonable to assume that this verse continues this figurative description.

The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shade means “shadow, shade, as protection from sun.” Here the meaning is figurative. It refers to the figurative shade/shadow of the tree, which is Israel in the future.

Here are some implications of this figure of speech:

(a) The shade describes the protection offered by the restored state of Israel.

(b) The shade describes the means for the people to flourish.

(d) The shade describes Israel’s covenant with God.

14:7b

they will grow grain: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “they will cause grain to live.” There are two main interpretations of this Hebrew clause:

(1) It means that the people of Israel will grow grain. For example:

they will plant and harvest grain in abundance (NET Bible)

(2) It means that the people will flourish like grain. For example:

They shall flourish like the grain. (English Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It makes good sense without any changes to the grammar of the Hebrew text.

grain: There is a textual issue concerning the Hebrew word for grain:

(1) The word is grain. For example:

They shall bring to life new grain. (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

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

They shall flourish as a garden. (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions. It makes good sense without any changes to the Hebrew text.

14:7c

blossom like the vine: There are two main interpretations of this clause:

(1) The clause is a simile that compares Israel to a vine. Israel will blossom in a way similar to a vine. For example:

And they will blossom like the vine. (New American Standard Bible)

(2) The clause means that the people of Israel will make vines grow. For example:

They will make the vine flourish (New Jerusalem Bible)

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

The word blossom is the same as in 14:5b “he will blossom like the lily.” See the note there for more information on blossom.

The Hebrew word for vine indicates grape vines as a collective. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

They will blossom like grapevines (God’s Word)
-or-
and be fruitful like a vineyard (Good News Translation)

14:7d

His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon: This clause is more literally “its memorial [will be] like the wine of Lebanon.” There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word for “memorial” that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as renown :

(1) The word means “memorial.” A memorial is something that people remember about a thing or a place. For example:

They will be as famous as the wine of Lebanon. (Good News Translation)

(2) The word means “fragrance.” For example:

their fragrance shall be like the wine of Lebanon (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with a majority of versions. It fits the standard meaning of the Hebrew word. The word “fragrance” is not an actual meaning of the Hebrew word in this clause.

This clause is a simile that compares people’s memory of Israel to people’s memory of the wine of Lebanon. Many people knew about the wine of Lebanon and had a high opinion of it. Likewise, many people will know about Israel and have a high opinion of it.

General Comment on 14:7

Many scholars regard the plural Hebrew forms in this verse to refer to the people of Israel and the singular forms to refer to the nation of Israel. Some versions follow the same singular and plural forms as in Hebrew. For example:

People will reside again in his shade;

They will plant and harvest grain in abundance.

They will blossom like a vine,

And his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon. (NET Bible)

Some other versions change the singular or plural forms, perhaps to make the translation easier to read.

Some versions translate most Hebrew singular and plural forms as singular “he/his.” For example:

Men will dwell again in his shade.

He will flourish like the grain.

He will blossom like a vine,

And his fame will be like the wine from Lebanon. (New International Version)

Some other versions translate most singular and plural forms as plural “they.” For example:

They will live again in God’s shadow.

They will grow like grain.

They will blossom like grapevines.

They will be as famous as the wines from Lebanon. (God’s Word)

The New International Version and the God’s Word translations lose some of the distinctions between the nation of Israel (singular forms) and the people of Israel (plural forms). Translate these forms in a natural way in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:8

Paragraph 14:8

This paragraph summarizes some major themes of the book of Hosea:

(a) The LORD is Israel’s true God and will not tolerate the worship of idols.

(b) The LORD is the one who takes care of Israel.

14:8a

O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols?: There are textual issues that have to do with the speaker in this rhetorical question:

(1) The Masoretic Text has “Ephraim what to me again to idols.” In this question to Ephraim, the LORD expresses his own attitude toward idols. For example:

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) Some scholars think that the original words were “Ephraim what to you again to idols.” This question functions as a command that the LORD gives to Ephraim/Israel. He tells Ephraim to avoid idols. For example:

O Israel, stay away from idols! (New Living Translation (2004))

(3) The LXX has “As for Ephraim—what is there any longer between him and idols?” This question functions as indirect speech. The LORD states that Ephraim will avoid idols. For example:

The people of Ephraim will have nothing more to do with idols. (God’s Word)

(4) The Peshitta has “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do again/any_more with idols?’” In this question, Ephraim expresses his own attitude toward idols. For example:

Ephraim [shall say]: “What more have I to do with idols? (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with a majority of versions and commentaries. It makes good sense and does not require changes to the MT.

This clause is a rhetorical question that expects a negative answer. What do I have in common with idols anymore? Nothing! Since the LORD expresses this attitude to Ephraim, it clearly implies that Ephraim also should have nothing to do with idols.

The rhetorical question includes a Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as anymore. In this expression, the Hebrew word means “more” or “further.” A literal translation of this word may incorrectly imply that the LORD had something in common with idols in the past but he will have nothing to do with them in the future. However, the LORD never had anything in common with idols.

Here are some ways to avoid the wrong meaning and to translate the rhetorical question. Each bullet gives an example of a question and a statement.

• Make explicit that he had nothing in common with idols in the past. The word “ever” or “never” implies that the same is true in the present and will be true in the future. For example:

Ephraim, what have I ever had to do with idols?
-or-
O Ephraim, I have never had anything in common with idols!

• Make explicit that he has nothing in common with idols. Leave it implied that the same was true in the past and will be true in the future. For example:

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Ephraim, I have nothing to do with idols.

Use a natural way in your language to translate this rhetorical question.

14:8b

It is I who answer and watch over him: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “I I [will] answer and I [will] watch over him.” In Hebrew, the pronoun I has emphasis. The Berean Standard Bible indicates this with It is I. Indicate this emphasis on the LORD in a natural way in your language.

The verbs in this clause use a form that indicates certainty. Many versions translate this clause with present tense. Some versions have future tense. For example:

It is I who answer and look after you. (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I will answer their prayers and take care of them (Good News Translation)

Translate this clause to indicate certainty in a natural way in your language.

answer:
This word means answer or “respond.” This clause does not say whom the LORD answers. However, this same clause also says “watch over him.” So some versions supply the same pronoun here. For example:

I will answer him and care for him (NET Bible)

The word answer probably implies a response to the needs or the prayers of his people. Some versions make this implication explicit. For example:

I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.

watch over him: In this clause, the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as watch over him means “watchful care” or “protecting.”

14:8c

I am like a flourishing cypress: This clause is a simile that compares the LORD to a tree. In this comparison the tree may represent one or more of the following characteristics:

(a) life

(b) fertility

(d) shelter

flourishing: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as flourishing means “leafy” or “luxuriant.” Here are some other ways to translate this word:

luxuriant (NET Bible)
-or-
evergreen (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
green (New International Version)

cypress: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cypress can mean “fir,” “cypress,” “juniper,” or “pine.” We cannot know which of these trees the word means here. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

I am like a green pine tree (New International Version)
-or-
I am that glorious tree (Contemporary English Version)

14:8d

your fruit comes from Me: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “from me your fruit is found.” The word order gives emphasis to the phrase from Me. For example:

from me comes your fruit. (Revised Standard Version)
-or-

It is from me that your fruit comes.

Indicate this emphasis on the LORD in a natural way in your language.

fruit: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fruit can mean the fruit of trees or vines. When it refers to people it can mean offspring, or the result of actions. Here the word may include all these meanings. Some versions say this in another way. For example:

I am the source of all their blessings. (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 14:8b–d

In Hebrew, 14:8b–d refers to Ephraim using third person “him” and second person “your.” In some languages, it is more natural to make the forms more consistent throughout 8b–d. For example:

8b I will answer your prayers and take care of you. 8c I am that glorious tree, 8d the source of your fruit. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-

8b I will answer their prayers and take care of them. 8c Like an evergreen tree I will shelter them; 8d I am the source of all their blessings.” (Good News Translation)

Translate these word forms in a natural way in your language.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 14:9

Section 14:9

Conclusion

Either Hosea or the LORD may be the speaker in this section. The section is a single verse. It is a type of wisdom saying that is similar to sayings in Proverbs. It urges the reader to be wise by following the ways of the LORD.

Here are other examples of section headings:

Concluding Exhortation (NET Bible)
-or-
Last Words

Paragraph 14:9

14:9a–b

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

9a
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

9b
whoever is discerning, let him know them.

9a
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things: 9b whoever is discerning, let him know them: In Hebrew, both these parallel lines begin with a question: “Who is wise/discerning?” This question introduces the topic of a wise/discerning person. There are two main ways to interpret the relationship of each topic to the next clause:

(1) The topic is followed by an exhortation for a wise/discerning person to act in a certain way. In other words, if a person is wise/discerning, he should act in a certain way. For example:

Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. (NIV2011)
-or-
Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. (New American Bible)

(2) The topic is followed by a statement that describes the way that a wise/discerning person acts. In other words, if a person is wise/discerning, he will act in a certain way as a result. For example:

Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. (New International Version)
-or-
Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions and commentaries. The form of the Hebrew verbs used for “understand” and “know” normally indicates an exhortation, not simply a statement.

14:9a

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things: Here are some other ways to translate this line:

Let the wise understand these words (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Let the wise consider these things (Revised English Bible)
-or-
People who are wise should/must understand these things.

Whoever is wise: In this context the meaning of the Hebrew word is “prudent in religious affairs.”

understand: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as understand means “understand, know (with the mind).” It refers to a person who has insight and who makes good use of knowledge.

these things: This phrase refers to everything that Hosea has said in this book. Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

these words (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
what is written here (Good News Translation)

14:9b

whoever is discerning, let him know them: Here are some other ways to translate this line:

let the intelligent grasp their meaning (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
and let the prudent acknowledge them (Revised English Bible)
-or-
People who are sensible should/must know these things.

discerning: In Hebrew, this word is a form of the same word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “understand” in 9a. The meaning is similar: “intelligent, discreet, discerning, have understanding.”

know them: See the note on know in 2:20b. In this context, the word refers to a person gaining knowledge of the truth that Hosea has spoken. That includes learning what is true, being attentive to it and living by it.

The word them refers to “these things” in 9a.

General Comment on 14:9a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine these parallel statements into one line. For example:

May those who are wise understand what is written here, and may they take it to heart. (Good News Translation)

14:9c–e

Notice the three poetic lines. The first line gives a topic “The ways of the LORD” and a statement about the topic. Those ways “are right.” The second and third lines give two different responses to the topic.

9c For the ways of the LORD are right;

9d and the righteous walk in them

9e but the rebellious stumble in them.

14:9c

For the ways of the LORD are right: The For introduces a reason or basis for what Hosea says in 9a–b. The reason that wise and discerning people should understand and know these things is because the ways of the LORD are right. Some versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible above, use the word “for” to introduce this reason. Some other leave the reason implied. For example:

The ways of the Lord are right; (New International Version)

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

the ways of the LORD: Here, as is common in wisdom writings, the word ways is used as a metaphor that compares behavior/conduct to a road or path. Here are some things this phrase means or describes:

(a) The ways of the LORD are his own actions and behavior.

(b) The ways of the LORD are what is morally and ethically right.

right: The Hebrew word means “just,” “upright.” The word describes actions that are correct/proper.

14:9d–e

and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them: These two lines refer to two ways that people respond to the LORD and to his teachings. Some people choose to follow him and his teachings, which leads to life. Other people choose to reject him and his teachings, which leads to death.

14:9d

the righteous walk in them: This line describes a righteous person as one who follows the ways of the LORD, his commands, and his high standard of moral conduct. Here are some other ways to translate this line:

the godly walk in them (NET Bible)
-or-
righteous people live by them (God’s Word)
-or-
Good people live by following them (New Century Version)

the righteous: In Hebrew, this word means “just,” “upright,” or “devout.” It describes people who have good character and who behave correctly according to the LORD’s moral and ethical standards.

walk in them: This phrase is a metaphor that compares the way people think and behave to walking.

The words in them refer back to the ways of the LORD. Here are some other ways to translate the phrase walk in them :

live by them (God’s Word)
-or-
live by following them (New Century Version)

14:9e

but the rebellious stumble in them: This line describes a rebellious person as one who has trouble because he/she does not follow the ways of the LORD. Here are some other ways to translate this line:

Rebellious people stumble over them. (God’s Word)
-or-
But in those paths sinners stumble and fall (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
But sinners stumble and fall because they ignore them. (Good News Translation)

but: This word introduces a contrast. Here it indicates that there is a difference between rebellious people and righteous people. Introduce this contrast in a natural way in your language.

the rebellious: The Hebrew word means those who “transgress,” “rebel.” Here it refers to people who are disloyal to the LORD and his ways.

stumble in them: This phrase is a metaphor that compares rebellion against the LORD and his ways to physical stumbling and/or falling. The Hebrew word for stumble means stumble or “stagger.” As in 9d, the words in them refer back to the ways of the LORD.

This phrase is figurative and means to stumble over the ways of the LORD, his commands, and his standard of moral conduct. A person who stumbles chooses not to obey the LORD’s commands. As a result, he suffers downfall and ruin.

Here the phrase does not refer only to a temporary or minor difficulty. These are Hosea’s final words that refer back to the book of Hosea as a whole. In these chapters, he includes many serious warnings. People who reject the LORD suffer ruin and death as a result. Here those warnings are in view. (See also Hosea 4:5a and 5:5a–c)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Hosea 2021