Hosea

Hosea front

Introduction to Hosea

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of Hosea

1. God tells Hosea to marry Gomer as a picture of how Israel relates to Yahweh (1:1–3:5)
2. Israel betrays, wanders, and sins; Yahweh appeals and pleas to return to him (4:1–7:3)
3. The conflict between Yahweh and Israel explained in various ways (7:4–13:8)
   • Similes: oven, cake, dove, bow (7:4–16)
   • Israel openly lies and rebels (8:1–14)
   • The end of Israel predicted (9:1–17)
   • Similes: grapes, vine, calf, lion, children, birds, and doves (10:1–11:11)
   • Israel sins, betrays, and breaks alliances (11:12–12:1)
   • Israel’s history remembered (12:2–13:16)
   • Idolatry (13:1–8)
4. Israel is hostile to Yahweh (13:9–16)
5. Yahweh’s last appeals to Israel (14:1–9)

What is the Book of Hosea about?

This book contains the prophecies of Hosea, son of Beeri. Hosea lived in the northern kingdom of Israel. He often called this kingdom Ephraim or Samaria. Hosea prophesied for about 38 years and predicted that Assyria would destroy the northern kingdom of Israel.

Hosea began to prophesy around 753 B.C., just before King Jeroboam II died. At this time, the kingdom of Israel was prosperous but spiritually weak. Hosea warned how Yahweh would punish Israel unless the people turned back to Yahweh and were faithful to him.

How should the title of this book be translated?

This book is traditionally named “The Book of Hosea” or just “Hosea.” Translators may also call it “The Book About Hosea” or “The Sayings of Hosea.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Who wrote the Book of Hosea?

Although this book tells what Hosea prophesied, it is uncertain whether Hosea wrote the book himself. It was probably written after Samaria, the capital of the norther kingdom, was destroyed in 721 B.C.

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Why did God command Hosea to marry a prostitute?

God told Hosea to marry the prostitute Gomer. This represented how the kingdom of Israel related to Yahweh. Israel was unfaithful to Yahweh and broke the covenant with him. This is compared to a woman who is unfaithful to her husband breaks her marriage agreement with him. (See: Metaphor and faithful, faithfulness, trustworthy and covenant)

What is a lawsuit?

Many cultures have a process for resolving disputes through law courts. These legal disputes are called lawsuits. The Book of Hosea contains some legal terms. This is because Yahweh is spoken of as if he were a husband accusing his wife in court of being unfaithful to him. Part of the Book of Hosea follows the form of a lawsuit. A problem is identified (4:1), someone is accused (4:4), someone is found guilty (4:15), and the guilty ones will be punished (5:1).

Who did the people of the kingdom of Israel worship?

Israel was supposed to worship Yahweh alone. But they worshiped both Yahweh and the Canaanite gods such as Baal. This was a major reason why Yahweh judged the kingdom of Israel. (See: god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry and judge, judgment)

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

What does the phrase “the declaration of Yahweh” mean?

The prophet used the phrase “the declaration of Yahweh” to mark a message as truly coming from God.

Why are English translations of Hosea very different?

Hosea 4–14 has many problems of interpretation. Some phrases in Hosea are beyond how we currently understand the Hebrew language. Many English versions have translated these difficult sections very differently.

What does the term “Israel” mean in Hosea?

In Hosea, “Israel” is used only to refer to the northern kingdom of Israel. It is not used to refer to the southern kingdom or to the two kingdoms together. (See: kingdom of Israel)

Hosea 1

Hosea 1 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 1:2-11.

Special concepts in this chapter

Hosea’s marriage

God does not approve of prostitution, but he told Hosea to marry a prostitute so that the message of Israel’s unfaithfulness would be shown to the people. (See: faithful, faithfulness, trustworthy)

Hosea’s marriage to Gomer is a metaphor for the kingdom of Israel’s relationship to Yahweh. Israel was unfaithful to Yahweh and broke the covenant with him. Gomer was a woman who was unfaithful to her husband broke her marriage agreement with him. (See: Metaphor and covenant)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

Hosea 1-4 is controlled by a metaphor that Hosea lived out. He was personifying the relationship between Israel and Yahweh. Hosea played the part of Yahweh, and Gomer played the part of Israel.

Hosea 1:1

This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “the word that Yahweh God spoke” (See: Idiom)

This is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

The events in this book happened during the time of these kings. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.

Hosea 1:2

Here “prostitution” represents the people being unfaithful to God. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 1:3

These are names of people. (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 1:4

Here “house” means “family,” including Jehu’s descendants. (See: Metaphor)

This expression refers to kingdom of Israel. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 1:5

Here “bow” refers to the power of the army. Alternate translation: “the military power of Israel” (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 1:6

This name means “no mercy.” The translator may choose to represent this meaning as the name. Alternate translation: “No Mercy” (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 1:8

This name means “no mercy.” The translator may choose to represent this meaning as the name. See how you translated this in Hosea 1:6. Alternate translation: “No Mercy” (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 1:9

This name means “not my people.” The translator may choose to represent this meaning as the name. Alternate translation: “Not My People” (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 1:10

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea.

This emphasizes the great number of Israelites. (See: Simile)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “which no one can measure or count” (See: Active or Passive)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Where God said to them” (See: Active or Passive)

This expression probably refers to Jezreel, the city where crimes had been committed by kings of Israel, and which was a symbol of God’s punishment of them.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will say to them” (See: Active or Passive)

Hosea 1:11

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “God will gather them together” (See: Active or Passive)

This expression might refer to the land where the people of Israel were in captivity.

This refers to the time when God will put his people back in the land of Israel. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hosea 2

Hosea 2 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations prefer to set apart quotations. The ULT and many other English translations set the lines of this chapter, which is poetry, farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. Hosea 1-2 is a single series forming one narrative.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

Many relationships are used in this chapter that are metaphors for the relationship between Israel and her God. Brother, sister, husband, wife, mother, and children are examples. (See: Metaphor)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

This chapter creates an abrupt change of address. The prophet is now addressing the children directly in the first few verses, but the whole chapter is written against Gomer as an illustration of Israel as an adulterous people. God uses Gomer as an illustration to teach the people of Israel how they should be faithful to him. (See: adultery, adulterous, adulterer, adulteress and faithful, faithfulness, trustworthy)

Hosea 2:1

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea.

This exclamation may be presented as a statement. Alternate translation: “You are my people!” (See: Exclamations)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has shown you compassion” (See: Active or Passive)

Alternate translation: “kindness” or “mercy”

Hosea 2:2

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea.

This is a complaint by one person against another person in a court of law.

Here “mother” refers to the nation of Israel. (See: Metaphor)

Yahweh is stating that Israel, spoken of here as a woman, is no longer acting like a wife to Yahweh. Instead Israel has turned away from following and worshiping him. (See: Metaphor)

Yahweh can no longer be in relationship with the nation of Israel as a husband would be to his wife. (See: Metaphor)

A wife who is adulterous leaves her husband to sleep with another man. This is how Israel was acting toward Yahweh. (See: Metaphor)

This imagery suggests that Israel is relying on the idols and not Yahweh. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 2:3

Yahweh will no longer protect and provide for Israel because the nation has turned away from him. In Israel, husbands were obliged by law to provide clothes for their wives. Not to do so was a sign that a man was rejecting his wife. The full meaning of this may be made clear. (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Yahweh will change Israel to resemble the wilderness, which is a region that is bare and unproductive. (See: Simile)

Here “thirst” refers to the need to worship and rely on Yahweh, not idols, or Israel will not be able to survive as a nation. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 2:4

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea.

The Israelites are acting like they do not belong to Yahweh. Just as their parents did not worship God, Neither do they. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 2:5

The previous generation who sought out other gods were considered prostitutes for they were unfaithful to Yahweh. (See: Metaphor)

Here “my lovers” refers to Baal and other false gods, whom Israel has chosen to worship instead of Yahweh. The list of things are essential items that allow the people to live. (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 2:6

Yahweh is talking to Hosea.

This passage indicates that Yahweh will prevent his people from finding success and prosperity, becuase they continue to worship idols. (See: Metaphor and Parallelism)

Hosea 2:7

Israel will return to Yahweh not because of their love for him, but because they are disappointed by their worship of Baal. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 2:8

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea.

Hosea 2:9

This probably means that Israel’s harvests and flocks will fail. Yahweh will remove his blessings from Israel, and the people will be left alone and in danger of attack. (See: Metonymy)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that the people used to clothe themselves” (See: Active or Passive)

Hosea 2:10

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea.

This means God will humiliate the people of Israel in front of the other nations nearby. See how you translated this in Hosea 2:3. (See: Metaphor)

No one will try to help Israel. Here “hand” refers to God’s power to punish. (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 2:12

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea about what he will do to Israel.

This refers to payment that Israel received from the false gods or Baals. This direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “that these were the wages that her lovers had given to her” (See: Metaphor and Direct and Indirect Quotations)

Yahweh will destroy the vineyards and fruit trees by allowing other trees and weeds to grow among them. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 2:13

Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Hosea 2:14

Yahweh is speaking about Israel.

Alternate translation: “I, Yahweh, will bring her back to me”

Hosea 2:15

As Yahweh lead Israel out of Egypt, he will lead Israel to the Valley of Achor so that Israel will hope again in Yahweh.

Yahweh hopes that the nation of Israel will repent and again choose to worship him as their God. (See: Metaphor)

Some modern versions understand the Hebrew word to mean “She will sing.”

Hosea 2:16

This means the people of Israel will love and be faithful to Yahweh just as a wife is to a husband. (See: Metaphor)

“Baal” means “master” and also refers to the false god that the Canaanites worship. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 2:17

The Israelites will not speak the names of Baal and the idols again. The people are represented by their mouths. Alternate translation: “For I will cause you to not speak the names of the Baals” (See: Synecdoche)

Hosea 2:18

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea about what he will do to Israel.

This phrase is used to talk about a future restoration between Israel and Yahweh.

Yahweh’s new covenant will include peace for the animals.

Yahweh will keep Israel’s enemies away from them, there will be no more war, the people will be safe. Here “the bow, the sword, and the battle” represent war. (See: Metonymy)

This expression refers to living in safety. (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 2:19

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea about what he will do for Israel.

Yahweh will be like the husband, and Israel will be like Yahweh’s wife. (See: Metaphor)

This can be restated to remove the abstract nouns. Alternate translation: “and do what is right, just, faithful, and merciful” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hosea 2:20

Here “know” means to acknowledge Yahweh as their God and to be faithful to him.

Hosea 2:21

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea about what he will do for Israel.

Hosea 2:22

The land will meet the need for grain, new wine, and olive oil. These things will also meet the needs of Jezreel. The land and these products are spoken of as if they were people who could meet the needs of others. (See: Personification)

Here the name of this valley stands for all the people of Israel. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 2:23

Yahweh is speaking to Hosea about what he will do for Israel.

When God makes his people safe and prosperous in their land again, they are spoken of if they were agricultural crops. Alternate translation: “I will take care of the Israelite people as a farmer plants his crops and takes care of them” (See: Metaphor)

This name means “no mercy.” The translator may choose to represent this meaning as the name. See how you translated this in Hosea 1:6. Alternate translation: “No Mercy” (See: How to Translate Names)

This name means “not my people.” The translator may choose to represent this meaning as the name. See how you translated this in Hosea 1:9. Alternate translation: “Not My People” (See: How to Translate Names)

This name means “you are my people.” The translator may choose to represent this meaning as the name. Alternate translation: “You Are My People” (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 3

Hosea 3 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter focuses on the meaning of the illustration of Hosea’s marriage. It is a very short chapter written in prose to show the truth of Israel’s relationship with Yahweh. After bearing a number of children for Hosea, Gomer leaves him and prostitutes herself with other men, showing little to no regard for their marriage covenant. (See: covenant)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

This chapter contains a continuation of the metaphor played out in chapter 2. Hosea is told to go and buy his wife out of slavery. Gomer must have been captured and held as a slave due to her adulterous activity. (See: Metaphor and adultery, adulterous, adulterer, adulteress)

Hosea 3:1

This refers back to Hosea 1:2. Yahweh again tells Hosea to love an adulterous woman.

By loving the adulterous woman, Hosea will be an example of Yahweh’s love for Israel. (See: Symbolic Action)

People ate raisin or fig cakes during festivals where they worshiped false gods.

Hosea 3:2

This was the price to buy a slave.

“15 pieces” (See: Numbers)

This can be stated in modern units. Alternate translation: “330 liters of barley” (See: Biblical Volume)

Hosea 3:4

Just as Hosea lived without his wife because she committed adultery, Israel will live without a king and without worshiping God, because they committed idolatry.

Hosea 3:5

Here “seek” means they are asking God to accept them and their worship.

Here “David” represents all the descendants of David. Alternate translation: “a descendant of David to be their king” (See: Metonymy)

Alternate translation: “in the future”

Here “trembling” represents feelings of awe and humility. Alternate translation: “they will come back to Yahweh and will humble themselves, honor him, and ask for his blessings” (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 4

Hosea 4 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The author stops using the metaphor of a husband/wife relationship and begins using a new illustration using lawsuits. God is suing the people of Israel because of all the wrong they have done. (See: Metaphor)

Special concepts in this chapter

Lawsuits

Lawsuits are special cases where people go to court when they have a legal issue to resolve between them. Normally, one party is accusing another party of having done wrong.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metonymy

Metonymy is used in the first few verses of this chapter. Metonymy is a figure of speech in which a thing or idea is called not by its own name, but by the name of something closely associated with it. Bloodshed is associated with murder. Stumbling represents sinning. (See: Metonymy and sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Hosea 4:1

This chapter begins Yahweh’s argument against the unfaithful Israelites.

Yahweh stating that the people of Israel have sinned against him and broken his covenant is spoken of as if Yahweh were accusing them in court. (See: Metaphor)

This is a complaint by one person against another person in a court of law. See how you translated this in Hosea 2:2.

Hosea 4:2

Here “bounds” stands for the limits of what the law allows. Alternate translation: “The people have disobeyed the law in every possible way” (See: Metaphor)

Here “bloodshed” stands for “murder” which often involves making the victim bleed. Alternate translation: “you commit one murder after another” (See: Abstract Nouns and Metonymy)

Hosea 4:3

This expression refers to drought, when no rain falls for a long time.

becoming weak and dying because of sickness or lack of food

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “are dying” (See: Active or Passive)

Hosea 4:4

Yahweh is speaking about Israel.

a complaint by one person against another person in a court of law

No one should accuse another person of anything because everyone is guilty of something.

Hosea 4:5

Here “stumble” means to disobey God or even to stop trusting him. (See: Metaphor)

Here “mother” refers to the nation of Israel. See how you translated this in Hosea 2:2. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 4:6

In 4:6, Yahweh is talking to the priests about the people of Israel. But in 4:7, he is talking about the priests, not to them. It is possible for the translator to follow the example of the UST, which portrays Yahweh as talking to the priests also in 4:7.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “My people are perishing because you, the priests, have not properly taught them about me so that they will obey me” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “knowledge” refers to the knowledge of God. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hosea 4:7

This could mean: (1) “honor” is a metonym that represents Yahweh, and “shame” is a metonym that represents idols. Alternate translation: “They have stopped worshiping me, their honorable God, and now worship shameful idols” or (2) some Bible versions translate this as “I will exchange their honor for shame.” This means Yahweh will take away the things which the priests honor and cause the priests to be ashamed. (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 4:8

When people sinned, they would offer sacrifices so God would forgive them. The priests were allowed to eat these sacrifices. The priests eating these sacrifices for sin is spoken of as if they would actually feed on the people’s sins. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Metaphor)

The priests want the people to sin more so that the people will offer more sacrifices that the priests may eat. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hosea 4:9

Alternate translation: “The people and the priests will be punished in the same way”

Alternate translation: “their habits” or “their conduct”

Hosea 4:10

Yahweh is talking about Israel.

Alternate translation: “but not have children”

The people have stopped worshiping and following God.

Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. This can be stated in the first person. Alternate translation: “from me” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Hosea 4:11

Yahweh is talking about Israel.

The people of Israel are pursuing sex outside of marriage and drinking too much wine. In doing these activities they have forgotten Yahweh’s commands. These actions are spoken of here as if they were someone who could prevent other people from understanding the importance of obeying Yahweh. (See: Personification)

Hosea 4:12

Idol worshipers used walking sticks to help them predict the future. The walking sticks are spoken of here as if they were people who spoke prophecies. (See: Personification)

Worshiping the idols and sleeping with the temple prostitutes has developed in the people of Israel the desire to always sin against Yahweh in these ways. Here “mind” is spoken of as if it were a separate person who was able to convince the people to disobey Yahweh. (See: Personification)

has convinced the people to sin (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 4:13

Yahweh is talking about Israel.

It was common for the people to set up idols in these places, often called “high places” in the Old Testament.

Hosea 4:14

These were women who had sexual relations with men who came to worship certain idols. This was viewed as a sacred action in honor of the false gods.

Yahweh will destroy the nation of Israel because they do not understand or obey God’s commandments. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 4:15

Yahweh is talking about Judah and Israel.

God knows how sinful Israel has become and does not want Judah to do the same thing.

The people of Judah are being warned not to go to the cities of Gilgal or Beth Aven to worship idols in those places. Gilgal was once a place where Yahweh had been worshiped, but it had become a place of idol worship.

This was a city on the border between the northern kingdom of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin in the southern kingdom. (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 4:16

Israel is compared to a young cow that will not obey its master. (See: Simile)

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that he cannot continue to take care of the people because they are stubborn. Yahweh no longer taking care of his people is spoken of as if he were a shepherd that could not take his lambs into the field to eat because they are stubborn. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will not shepherd a rebellious people.” or “Therefore Yahweh will not continue to take care of them.” (See: Metaphor and Rhetorical Question)

Here Yahweh is speaking of himself in the third person. It can be stated in the first person. Alternate translation: “How can I” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Hosea 4:17

Yahweh is talking about Israel.

Here “Ephraim” represents the whole northern kingdom of Israel, which is a metonym for the people who live there. They chose to worship idols, instead of Yahweh. Yahweh is commanding Hosea to not try to correct them. The people of Israel will not listen. (See: Synecdoche and Metonymy)

Hosea 4:18

The rulers are not ashamed of what they are doing when they worship idols and turn against Yahweh.

Hosea 4:19

Here “wind” represents God’s judgment and anger against the nation of Israel. Yahweh will allow the enemy army to defeat the people of Israel and take them as captives. (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

Hosea 5

Hosea 5 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter continues using the poetic form exclusively.

Special concepts in this chapter

The author uses Ephraim and Israel interchangeably. They both refer to the northern kingdom of Israel. Judah is also mentioned and refers to the southern kingdom of Judah. Benjamin is part of the southern kingdom of Judah. (See: How to Translate Names)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

This chapter is full of metaphors and similes. The writer uses these figures of speech to show how Yahweh will treat his people for not obeying his instructions. (See: Metaphor and Simile and people of God)

Hosea 5:1

Yahweh is talking about Israel.

A snare and a net are both objects used to catch prey. In this case, the priests and the royal household had devised ways to keep the people away from Yahweh, while enticing them into idolatry. Mizpah and Tabor were places for idol worship in the land of Israel. (See: How to Translate Names and Metaphor)

Hosea 5:2

Here “rebels” refers to all of those people who had turned away from Yahweh, and “deep in slaughter” could refer to the murder of innocent people, or to the slaughter of animals offered to pagan idols. (See: Metaphor)

The translator can represent this as “You rebels,” because God is really talking to the rebellious people of Israel.

Some modern versions interpret the Hebrew expression as standing for wickedness.

The translator can represent this as “I will punish all of you.”

Hosea 5:3

Yahweh is talking about Israel.

Here, “Ephraim” and “Israel” both refer to the whole northern kingdom of Israel, and represent the people who live there. Here God says that he knows what they are like and what they are doing. (See: Synecdoche and Metonymy and Parallelism)

Ephraim is presented in terms of a prostitute because the people have become unfaithful to God, as a prostitute is faithful to no man. (See: Simile)

Hosea 5:4

This means they have the desire to be unfaithful to God. They want to worship idols.

The translator can represent this as “to turn to me … they do not know me,” or “to turn to me … they do not know me, Yahweh.”

Israel no longer obeys Yahweh in any way. They do not acknowledge Yahweh as their God.

Hosea 5:5

Yahweh is talking about Israel.

This describes “pride” as a person who testifies against the people of Israel in court. Their prideful attitude and behavior show that they are guilty of no longer obeying Yahweh. (See: Personification)

The two kingdoms will become completely disobedient to God because of their pride and sin. (See: Idiom)

Hosea 5:7

This could mean: (1) this means the Israelites were marrying people from other nations and having children with them or (2) this means the Israelite parents were unfaithful to Yahweh and they were teaching their children to worship idols.

The people of Israel were supposed to celebrate during the new moon. Here this expression seems to describe the new moon festival as a beast that will eat the people and their fields. However, it is hard to interpret this expression; many versions translate it without making much sense of it. However, the overall meaning is certainly that God will punish the people for their unfaithfulness to him. (See: Personification)

Hosea 5:8

Yahweh is talking about Israel.

Here “horn” and “trumpet” mean the same thing. This command is given to the people of Gibeah and Ramah to emphasize that the enemy is coming. (See: Doublet)

Here “Benjamin” represents the soldiers from the tribe of Benjamin. This may be a request for them to lead the people into battle. But modern versions make various attempts to interpret this expression. (See: Synecdoche)

This was a city on the border between the northern kingdom of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin in the southern kingdom. See how you translated this in Hosea 4:15. (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 5:9

Alternate translation: “I will do to the tribes of Israel what I have declared”

Hosea 5:10

Yahweh is talking about Judah and Israel.

To “move a boundary stone” refers to moving the landmark that marked the border of some property, which was a crime under Israelite law. (See: Simile)

Yahweh’s wrath against Judah will be like a large stream of water that destroys them. In the scriptures, emotions and moral qualities are often spoken of as if they were liquids. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 5:11

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This statement is made twice for emphasis. Here “Ephraim” refers to the people of the northern kingdom of Israel. Alternate translation: “I will punish the people of Israel severely” (See: Parallelism and Synecdoche and Active or Passive)

Here “walked” represents the idea of worshiping. (See: Metaphor)

The Hebrew word translated here as “idols” is uncertain in its meaning, and is translated by modern versions in many different ways.

Hosea 5:12

Yahweh is talking about Judah and Israel.

A moth on a piece of wool and rot in a piece of wood are both destructive. Yahweh will destroy both nations. (See: Simile)

These two terms are translated in various ways because the meaning of the Hebrew word is either very broad or it is uncertain.

Hosea 5:13

Both Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel) and Judah (the southern kingdom of Israel) realized that they were in danger. (See: Metaphor)

Ephraim and Judah asked Assyria for help instead of asking Yahweh for help. “Great king” was a title for the king of Assyria.

Here “he” refers to the king of Assyria.

Hosea 5:14

Yahweh is talking about Judah and Israel.

Yahweh is going to pursue and attack Ephraim like a lion. (See: Simile)

Yahweh is going to treat Judah in a similar way. Yahweh is showing his displeasure with both the northern and the southern kingdoms. (See: Simile)

Yahweh is emphasizing that he is the one that is bringing judgment on all of his people.

As a lion tears apart the animal it is eating, so Yahweh will tear his people away from their homes and country. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 5:15

Yahweh will leave his rebellious people.

Try to come into God’s presence by means of worship and sacrifice. Alternate translation: “ask me to pay attention to them” (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 6

Hosea 6 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter continues using the poetic form to show how Yahweh will still show mercy to his wayward people, the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Gilead is an area in the northern kingdom of Israel where several of the tribes lived. (See: mercy, merciful)

Special concepts in this chapter

Change in speaker

There is a change in person from 6:1-3 to 6:4-11. In the first passage, the speaker is an anonymous Israelite, but in the rest of the chapter, the speaker is Yahweh.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

Throughout the chapter, the author uses the metaphor of prostitution to say that his people have abandoned him. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 6:1

The people of Israel confess their need to repent.

God has punished the people of Israel because they disobeyed him and worshiped idols. (See: Parallelism)

Israel believes that God will be merciful to them when they repent and he will deliver them from their troubles. (See: Parallelism)

Hosea 6:2

This represents a short period of time. Israel believes God will quickly come to rescue them from their enemies. (See: Idiom)

“2 days … day 3” (See: Numbers and Ordinal Numbers)

Hosea 6:3

Here “know” means not only to learn God’s character and laws, but also to become faithful to him.

Yahweh will come to help his people just as surely as the sun rises each morning. (See: Simile)

Hosea 6:4

Yahweh is speaking.

God is expressing that his patience is coming to an end and what remains is judgment. Alternate translation: “it is hard to know what to do with you!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hosea 6:5

Through his prophets, Yahweh has pronounced destruction on the rebellious nation. The destruction, here called “cutting to pieces,” is as sure as the condemnation. (See: Metaphor)

Here the prophet Hosea is speaking to God. He may mean that when God gives the command for someone to die as punishment, it is like a bolt of lightning that strikes. Or he may mean that God’s commandments allow people to know the truth, just as light makes objects visible. (See: Simile)

Alternate translation: “Yahweh’s commands”

Hosea 6:6

Yahweh is speaking.

This grammatical construction in Hebrew signals here the idea of “more than,” as the next line shows (“and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings”). Alternate translation: “For I desire faithfulness more than sacrifice”

Hosea 6:7

This could mean: (1) this refers to Adam, the first man or (2) this is a metonym that represents the people who live in a city in Israel called Adam. Alternate translation: “Like the people in the city of Adam” or (3) this refers to people in general. The word “Adam” means “man” or “humankind.” Alternate translation: “Like all of humankind” (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 6:8

Yahweh is speaking.

“Footprints of blood” probably represents the evildoers and their acts of murder. (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 6:9

We do not know what this refers to. Were priests actually guilty of attacking people on their way to Shechem, which was an important religious and political center? Or is the prophet saying that the priests have “killed” true knowledge and worship of Yahweh? It is best to translate this expression as plainly as possible.

Hosea 6:10

Yahweh is speaking.

Here “prostitution” refers to Ephraim’s worship of false gods. (See: Metonymy)

Israel has become unacceptable to God because of her actions.

Hosea 6:11

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “I have set a time of harvest for you also, Judah” (See: Active or Passive)

Here “harvest” represents God’s final judgment on Israel and Judah. (See: Metaphor)

prosperity and security

Hosea 7

Hosea 7 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter continues using poetic forms to speak of Yahweh’s anger over the sin of the people. The people are not seeking Yahweh; they are seeking other gods and looking for salvation from other nations like Egypt and Assyria. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning, god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry and save, saved, safe, salvation)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Baking

Baking of bread is an extended metaphor in this chapter. Yahweh uses various aspects of this activity to show his displeasure with their sins. (See: Metaphor)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Israel and Ephraim

This chapter begins by using two different names for the same group of people: Israel and Ephraim. It also mentions Samaria, which was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel.

Hosea 7:1

Yahweh is speaking.

Making Israel obedient to God again and receivers of his blessing is spoken of as if it were healing. (See: Metaphor)

The people are selling and buying products dishonestly. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

This is a group of people who are attacking other people without cause.

Hosea 7:2

The people’s evil deeds are probably spoken of here as if they were other people ready to accuse them of their crimes. (See: Metaphor)

Here God is represented by his “face” which emphasizes his presence and awareness. Alternate translation: “and I see it all” (See: Synecdoche)

Hosea 7:3

Yahweh is speaking. The Hebrew text is not clear in various places. However, many people interpret it as describing the royal officials as being unfaithful to God, and also as planning to assassinate the king, and then carrying out their plans. This seems to have happened more than once. These crimes are mentioned as illustrations of the wickedness into which the nation has sunk.

Hosea 7:4

The people committed spiritual adultery by worshiping idols and being unfaithful to Yahweh. They were probably also being unfaithful to their husbands or wives by sleeping with other people. (See: Metaphor)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. This means the people had strong desires to do evil. Alternate translation: “like an oven which the baker heats” (See: Simile and Active or Passive)

This is a part of the process of making bread.

Hosea 7:5

This is perhaps a festival held by the king.

This probably means to unite or join with someone. It may mean that the king joins with his officials to mock things or people that should not be mocked, even God himself. (See: Idiom)

Hosea 7:6

The court officials’ plotting is described. Their anger is what motivates them to kill their king.

This means like a fire burns in an oven, these people have strong evil desires within them. The people’s desires are represented by their “hearts.” (See: Simile and Metonymy)

The word “smolders” means something is burning slowly without a flame. Alternate translation: “Their anger grows slowly and quietly” (See: Metaphor)

The intensity of their anger is spoken of as if it was a very hot fire. Alternate translation: “it gets very intense” (See: Simile)

Hosea 7:7

This compares their anger to the heat that comes from an oven. (See: Simile)

This seems to mean that the court officials kill their kings. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 7:8

Yahweh is speaking.

This is probably a reference to the efforts made by the northern kingdom’s kings to ally themselves with other nations for protection against attack.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Here “Ephraim” refers to the northern kingdom of Israel. The nation is weak, as flat bread that has not been doubled over in the oven by the baker for more strength. Alternate translation: “The people of Ephraim are like a cake that no one has turned over” (See: Synecdoche and Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Hosea 7:9

Here “gray hairs” represent old age. (See: Metonymy)

However, this “old age” is clearly a way of saying that the northern kingdom is getting weaker and weaker, because the nation does not know it is “old.” (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 7:10

Yahweh is speaking.

This describes “pride” as a person who testifies against the people of Israel in court. This means their prideful attitude and behavior show that they are guilty of no longer obeying Yahweh. (See: Personification)

Israel’s lack of interest in Yahweh is spoken of as if he was lost and they were not trying to find him. Alternate translation: “nor have they tried to get him to pay attention to them” (See: Metaphor)

Here “this” refers God allowing foreigners to defeat them and make them weak.

Hosea 7:11

Doves were thought to be foolish birds. (See: Simile)

These were powerful nations that Israel could ask for help.

Hosea 7:12

Yahweh is speaking.

This is a way to catch birds. Yahweh continues to compare the people of Israel to doves. When they go to Egypt or Assyria for help, Yahweh will punish them. (See: Metaphor)

Yahweh speaks of the way he will judge Israel as if they were birds that he would catch in a net. Alternate translation: “I will hunt them like birds” or “I will catch them like a hunter catches birds” (See: Simile)

This expression extends the metaphor of the birds.

Hosea 7:14

Yahweh is speaking.

It was usual for idol worshipers to eat ceremonial meals while reclining on couches or beds.

Here no longer worshiping God is spoken of as turning away from him. Alternate translation: “they no longer worship me” (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 7:15

This may be a military metaphor, in which God training the Israelites to love him and obey him is spoken of as if he had been training their men for war. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 7:16

Yahweh is speaking.

That is, a bow that has no bowstring, or that has no tension. (See: Simile)

Here “tongue” refers to what the officials say. Alternate translation: “because they insult me” or “because they curse me” (See: Metonymy)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word mockery, you could express the same idea with a verbal form. Alternate translation: “This is why people in Egypt will mock and laugh at Israel” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hosea 8

Hosea 8 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter continues to use the poetic form to communicate several other ways the people of Israel have sinned against God. First, Yahweh notes that they have set up a king without consulting him. Next, they set up or reinstalled the golden calves of Samaria. Last, they were seeking help from other nations like Egypt and Assyria. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Special concepts in this chapter

This chapter contains some references to the “calf of Samaria.” This most likely refers to an image that was set up by an earlier king of Israel. He did this in order to discourage his people from going to Jerusalem, which was part of the southern kingdom of Judah.

Hosea 8:1

Yahweh is speaking about the coming of the Assyrian army to attack the northern kingdom.

The eagle, a bird of prey, is sometimes used to represent the enemies of Israel. Alternate translation: “As an eagle hunts another animal, the enemies of Israel are coming to capture my people” (See: Metaphor)

Here “broken” represents “disobeyed,” “violated.” (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 8:2

Alternate translation: “are faithful to you”

Hosea 8:4

Yahweh is speaking.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “but the result will be that I will destroy the people” (See: Active or Passive)

Hosea 8:5

This could mean: (1) this is the prophet speaking. Alternate translation: “Yahweh has rejected your calf” or (2) Yahweh is speaking. Alternate translation: “I myself have rejected your calf” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

The people worshiped an idol that looked like a calf, so Yahweh is speaking of their worship as if it were the calf itself. Alternate translation: “Because you worship your calf idol, your worship” (See: Metonymy)

Anger is often spoken of as if it were a fire. Alternate translation: “I am very angry with these people” (See: Metaphor)

Yahweh asks this question to express his anger about his people being impure. “I am angry with these people because they have no desire to be innocent.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hosea 8:6

Yahweh is speaking.

Hosea 8:7

To sow or plant the wind is to act in useless or destructive ways. To reap the whirlwind is to suffer disaster from one’s own actions. (See: Metaphor)

Here “head” refers to the part of the plant where the grain is. A stalk with no head has nothing to give to the farmer. In the same way, Israel’s actions will result in nothing good. (See: Idiom)

If any of Israel’s actions do happen to result in something good, Israel’s enemies will come and take it from them. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 8:8

Yahweh is speaking.

“swallowed” means to be defeated and taken into exile. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The enemies of Israel have taken the Israelites away to other lands” (See: Metaphor and Active or Passive)

Hosea 8:9

People often think of donkeys as being stubborn. This means the people of Israel refused to listen to Yahweh but instead went to the people of Assyria for help. (See: Simile)

Ephraim’s alliances with other nations are spoken of as if they had paid them to become prostitutes for Ephraim. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel have tried to pay other nations to protect them” (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 8:10

That is, because the Assyrian king, also called “the Great King,” will make the people suffer.

Hosea 8:11

Yahweh is speaking.

Hosea 8:12

Yahweh is describing a hypothetical situation. Here “ten thousand times” is an exaggeration that means no matter how many times he gave the people the law, they would still refuse to obey him. Alternate translation: “Even if I wrote down my law for them very many times, they would” (See: Hypothetical Situations and Hyperbole)

“10,000” (See: Numbers)

Hosea 8:13

Yahweh is speaking.

Because of their sin, God will send his people away as slaves to the Egyptians.

Hosea 9

Hosea 9 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The chapter is written in poetic form to speak of Yahweh’s displeasure with Israel’s sins. He is showing the many ways in which they do not honor him. The priests and kings do not understand how they have totally broken their covenant with Yahweh. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and priest, priesthood and covenant)

Special concepts in this chapter

Exile

Because the covenant has been broken, the people will be exiled into another land. This actually shows the mercy of God toward his people. He did not destroy them; he simply moved them to another place. However, this chapter goes into detail about many parts of their society to show how far they have moved away from truly worshiping Yahweh. (See: mercy, merciful and people of God)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Change in speaker

In verse 16, Yahweh is speaking; but in verse 17, Hosea starts speaking. There is a change in pronouns; the use of “my God” must imply that someone other than Yahweh is speaking.

Hosea 9:1

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

Hosea 9:2

This describes the threshing floor and the winepress as if they were humans that can feed someone. This means that the harvest will not provide enough grain for threshing to meet the needs of the people, and that it will not provide the grapes for pressing to make enough wine. (See: Personification and Metonymy)

There will not be enough grape juice to make wine with.

Hosea 9:3

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

This expression signals that Yahweh continues to view the land of Israel as his property, not the property of the Israelites.

This is food that the Israelites would normally refuse to eat because it would make them unacceptable to Yahweh. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 9:4

Here “mourners’ food” refers to what people would eat while they mourning because they were defiled and not acceptable to God. This means Yahweh will consider the people’s sacrifices to be defiled and he will not accept them. (See: Simile)

The people of Israel will have food to eat, but Yahweh will not accept it as a sacrifice.

The unclean food is spoken of as if it were able to go places by itself. Of course, people actually had to take it with them. (See: Personification)

Hosea 9:5

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

Hosea uses this question to emphasize that the people will no longer be able to observe their festivals when their enemies defeat them and take them captive. Alternate translation: “You will not be able to celebrate the festivals that Yahweh appointed for you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Both of these mean the same thing. (See: Parallelism)

Hosea 9:6

Here “they” still refers to the people of Israel. You can continue stating this is second person. Alternate translation: “if you escape” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Egypt and Memphis refer to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “the army of Egypt will capture you. You will die there, and the people in the city of Memphis will bury you” (See: Metonymy)

Briers growing in the places where Israelites stored their silver is spoken of as if the briers were human enemies that would take the Israelite’s precious possessions for themselves. Alternate translation: “Sharp briers will grow where they store their treasures of silver” (See: Metaphor)

Here “sharp briers” and “thorns” mean the same thing. To have briers and thorns growing represents a land that has become desolate and like a wilderness. (See: Doublet and Metonymy)

Here “tents” represents the Israelites’ homes. (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 9:7

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

Hosea says these two similar phrases to emphasize that Yahweh will soon judge the people of Israel for their evil deeds. (See: Parallelism)

These phrases mean basically the same thing. This could mean: (1) that the people regarded the prophets as madmen or (2) that the prophets had become crazy because of the sins that the people had committed. (See: Parallelism)

Here “prophet” and “inspired man” both mean a person who claims to receive messages from God. It is implied that these people are false prophets and only thought they received messages from God. (See: Doublet and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

The phrases “great iniquity” and “great hostility” share similar meanings. The iniquity of the people manifested itself in hostility towards Yahweh and his prophets. (See: Doublet)

Hosea 9:8

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

A “watchman” watches outside his city to see if danger is coming. The prophet warning the people when they are sinning and are in danger of having his God punish them is spoken of as if he were a watchman for the city. Alternate translation: “The prophet is like a watchman for God over Ephraim” (See: Metaphor)

Some versions translate this passage as “The prophet with my God is the watchman over Ephraim.”

This refers to prophets in general that God has appointed. Alternate translation: “Prophets are” or “True prophets are” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

Here “Ephraim” represents all the people of Israel. (See: Synecdoche)

A “bird snare” is a trap used to catch a bird. This means the people of Israel do whatever they can to stop God’s prophet. Alternate translation: “the people set a trap for him wherever he goes” or “the people do all they can to harm him” (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 9:9

“The people of Israel have sinned and become very corrupt as they did at Gibeah long ago.” This is probably a reference to the shocking actions of the tribe of Benjamin recounted in Judges 19-21.

Hosea 9:10

Yahweh is speaking.

This refers to when Yahweh first started his relationship with the people of Israel by claiming them as his own special people.

Both of these statements emphasize situations that are pleasing to a person. This means Yahweh was very happy when his relationship with the people of Israel started. (See: Parallelism and Simile)

This is the name of a mountain in the land of Moab where the false god Baal was worshiped. (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 9:11

Yahweh is speaking.

The people of Ephraim, or the northern kingdom of Israel, will lose everything that makes other nations respect them. Their glory will quickly disappear, as a bird flies away. Alternate translation: “their glory will be like a bird that flies away from them” (See: Simile)

Hosea 9:12

When God stops helping the northern kingdom, it will be as if he physically turned away from them. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 9:13

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

This speaks of the people being in a safe place as if they were a tree planted in a peaceful meadow. Alternate translation: “The nation of Israel was once beautiful and pleasant like the city of Tyre, like a tree that someone plants in a meadow” (See: Metaphor)

Here “Ephraim” represents the whole northern kingdom of Israel. These places refer to the people who live in them. (See: Synecdoche and Metonymy)

The word “children” are the people from that nation. Alternate translation: “but the people of Israel will bring out their children” (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 9:14

Hosea uses a question to emphasize that he wants Yahweh to give the people of Israel what they deserve. Alternate translation: “This is what I ask you, Yahweh, to give them: give them” (See: Rhetorical Question)

To “miscarry” means that a pregnancy ends too early and the baby dies. Hosea is asking that all the nation’s women be like that.

Hosea 9:15

Yahweh is speaking.

Yahweh is stating that he will force Israel out of his land, the land of Canaan. Here “my house” represents Canaan. (See: Metonymy)

the men who serve the king

Hosea 9:16

Yahweh is speaking in verse 16. Hosea begins speaking in verse 17.

Yahweh speaks of the people of Israel as if they were a diseased tree that does not produce fruit and is ready to be cut down. This is a statement that the people have become weak, and that soon their enemies will come and defeat them. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 10

Hosea 10 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter is written in poetic form and continues the theme of Israel’s many sins against Yahweh. Even though Israel prospered for a time as they multiplied their sins, Yahweh was leading them toward destruction. (See: sin, sinful, sinner, sinning)

Special concepts in this chapter

Yahweh’s relationship to his people was not based on his people’s actions. Even though they rebelled, Yahweh still desired to rescue them. (See: people of God)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Jacob

The repeated use of different names for the two kingdoms can be confusing. In verse 11, “Ephraim” refers to the northern kingdom of Israel, and “Judah” refers to the southern kingdom of Judah. However, Jacob is also mentioned. This use of “Jacob” makes us think of the earlier unified nation and may also refer to a future unified nation. (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 10:1

Hosea is speaking about Israel.

Israel is spoken of as a vine that was very fruitful. For a while the people prospered and were strong. (See: Metaphor)

This vine produces more fruit than normal.

Both of these mean as the people prospered and grew stronger and richer.

Hosea 10:2

The “heart” refers to the whole person, emphasizing their emotions and desires. Alternate translation: “They are deceitful” (See: Synecdoche)

Here “guilt” is a metonym for the punishment that is associated with it. This punishment is spoken of as if it was a heavy load for them to carry. Alternate translation: “now is the time that Yahweh will punish them for their sins” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Hosea 10:3

Hosea is speaking about Israel.

The people wills say that their kings could not have helped them. Alternate translation: “Even if we had a king now, he could not help us.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hosea 10:4

Here “empty words” refers to lies. Alternate translation: “They speak lies” (See: Idiom)

What they people called justice in their laws and legal decisions is spoken of as if it were a plant sprouting up. Alternate translation: “So their decisions are not just; instead, they are harmful” (See: Metaphor)

Their lies and injustice spread throughout their nation and harm everyone like poisonous plants. (See: Simile)

Hosea 10:5

Hosea is speaking about Israel.

This was a city on the border between the northern kingdom of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin in the southern kingdom. See how you translated this in Hosea 4:15. (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 10:6

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The Assyrians will carry them away” (See: Active or Passive)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “And the people of Israel will be very ashamed because they had worshiped idols” (See: Doublet and Active or Passive)

Many versions interpret the Hebrew word in this passage as “advice,” “plans,” or “intentions.”

Hosea 10:7

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The Assyrians will destroy the king of Samaria” (See: Active or Passive)

This means the king of Samaria will be as helpless as a small piece of wood that waves of the water toss back and forth. (See: Simile)

Hosea 10:8

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The Assyrians will destroy Israel’s high places, where the people acted very wickedly” (See: Active or Passive)

People do not normally speak to things that cannot think or hear them. Translators may choose to have a different format for this passage if their languages do not allow such speech. Alternate translation: “The people will say, ‘We wish the mountains would cover us!’ and ‘We wish the hills would fall on us!’” (See: Apostrophe)

Hosea 10:9

Yahweh is speaking.

This is probably a reference to the shocking actions of the tribe of Benjamin recounted in Judges 19-21. See how you translated this in Hosea 9:9.

This passage probably means that the people of the present time continue to act in the same ways that their ancestors did at Gibeah. Alternate translation: “and you think just as they did” (See: Metaphor)

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that those in Gibeah who do wrong will certainly have to endure war. And this speaks of the people having to endure war when their enemies come as if war were a person that would catch up with them. Alternate translation: “War will certainly come on those who do wrong in Gibeah.” or “Enemies will certainly attack those who do wrong in Gibeah.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Metaphor)

Here “son of” is an idiom that means “having the characteristic of.” Alternate translation: “those who do wrong” or “the evildoers” (See: Idiom)

Hosea 10:10

Yahweh is speaking.

This refers to the many sins of Israel.

Hosea 10:11

A heifer loves to thresh because they can walk around freely without a yoke. Yahweh means that he has allowed the people of Israel to be free and have a pleasant life. (See: Metaphor)

Here “yoke” refers to suffering and slavery. Yahweh has been kind to the people of Israel, but the people have been unfaithful to him. So he will punish them and send them away as slaves. (See: Metaphor)

Here “Judah” refers to the people of the southern kingdom and “Jacob” is the people of the northern kingdom. This means God will cause difficult times for both kingdoms. (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)

a tool used to smooth the land and cover the seeds after plowing

Hosea 10:12

Yahweh is speaking.

Righteousness and covenant faithfulness are spoken of as if they were crops that could be sown and harvested. The abstract nouns “righteousness” and “faithfulness” can be stated as “right” and “faithful.” Alternate translation: “Plow, now, and do what is right, and you will reap the fruit of faithful love” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

When the ground is “unplowed” it is not ready to be planted. Yahweh means he wants the people to repent so they can start doing what is right. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 10:13

Wickedness and injustice are spoken of as if they were crops that could be sown and harvested. (See: Metaphor)

The result of deception are spoken of as if they were a food that could be eaten. Alternate translation: “You now suffer the consequences of having deceived each other” (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 10:14

The coming war is being compared to a battle long ago.

This is the name of a king who destroyed the city of Beth Arbel around 740 BC. His army murdered women and children in the attack. (See: How to Translate Names)

This is likely the name of a city of the tribe of Naphtali. (See: How to Translate Names)

Hosea 10:15

Here “Bethel” represents the people who live there. The prophet addresses the people of Bethel as if they were there listening to him. (See: Metonymy and Apostrophe)

Hosea 11

Hosea 11 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter continues using the poetic form to communicate about Yahweh’s relationship to the northern kingdom of Israel.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Metaphor

This chapter contains an extended metaphor of Israel as a male child in the care of Yahweh, his parent. (See: Metaphor)

Rhetorical question

Yahweh uses rhetorical questions to show his disappointment and anger at Israel’s persistent rejection of him. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hosea 11:1

Yahweh is speaking of caring for Israel like a parent cares for a child.

Yahweh is speaking about the people of Israel as if they were a young man. Yahweh is referring to when he first started his relationship with the nation. (See: Metaphor)

“son” refers to the people of God the Father. Alternate translation: “I led my son out of Egypt” (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 11:2

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The more I called them to be my people, the more they refused me” (See: Active or Passive)

Hosea 11:3

Yahweh is speaking about how he cared for Israel.

Yahweh refers to Israel as a small child whom he taught to walk. (See: Metaphor)

This expression continues the metaphor. Alternate translation: “took care of them”

Hosea 11:4

Yahweh loved his people in ways that they as humans could understand and appreciate. (See: Parallelism)

Yahweh is speaking of the nation of Israel as a hardworking animal whose work he made easier. (See: Simile)

This expression continues the metaphor in which Israel is pictured as a young child. It may mean that Yahweh provided for all their physical needs.

Hosea 11:5

Yahweh is speaking about Israel.

This question means that the nation of Israel will once again be slaves as they were in Egypt. (See: Rhetorical Question)

The nation of Israel will be captives of Assyria as a result of their refusal to remain faithful to Yahweh. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hosea 11:6

Here “sword” represents the enemies of Israel who will destroy Israel’s cities. (See: Metonymy)

Gates offered security to city inhabitants from their enemies, and the bars secured the closed gates. To destroy the bars meant to take away the people’s security. (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 11:7

Here God is speaking about himself in the third person. It can be stated in first person. Alternate translation: “Though they call to me, the Most High” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Yahweh will not allow anyone to help Israel because they turned away from him.

Hosea 11:8

Yahweh is speaking about Israel.

Yahweh loves his people so much that he will not totally destroy them. These questions may be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “I will not give you up, Ephraim. I will not hand you over, Israel.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Yahweh loves his people so much that he will not totally destroy them. These questions may be translated as statements. Alternate translation: “I do not want to act toward you as I acted toward Admah or make you like Zeboyim—cities that I destroyed along with Sodom” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Here “heart” represents God’s will and decisions. (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 11:9

God is not like people, who often decide very quickly to take revenge.

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word wrath, you could express the same idea with an adjective such as “angry.” Alternate translation: “I will not come to you and be angry with you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hosea 11:10

Yahweh is speaking about when he will restore his people.

Worshiping and honoring Yahweh is spoken of as if it were following him (See: Metaphor)

Yahweh making it possible for his people to return to his land is spoken of as if he were calling to his people. (See: Simile)

Hosea 11:11

They will come home quickly as a bird returns to its nest. “Trembling” may refer to the fluttering of a bird’s wings. It may also signal the people’s feelings of humility and reverence for God (See: Simile)

“what Yahweh has declared” or “what Yahweh has solemnly said.” See how you translated this in Hosea 2:13.

Hosea 11:12

Yahweh is talking about Israel and Judah.

Lies and deceitful acts are spoken of as if they were objects that the people of the northern kingdom surrounded Yahweh with. (See: Parallelism and Metaphor)

Here “Judah” refers to the people who live there. This speaks of being loyal to God as “going about” with him. However, many versions have different interpretations of this difficult passage. (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

Hosea 12

Hosea 12 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Jacob

There is a parallel between Jacob and the northern kingdom of Israel. In the same way that Jacob returned to Yahweh, the northern kingdom should repent of their idolatry and turn back to Yahweh. (See: repent, repentance)

Hosea 12:1

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

Here “Ephraim” represents all the people of Israel. Also “wind” represents something that is useless or temporary. The people of Israel doing things that will not help them is spoken of as if they eat the wind. (See: Synecdoche and Metaphor)

East winds were very hot and destructive to the land. Here it represents anything that is destructive. The people doing things that will destroy themselves is spoken of as if they are following the east wind. (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)

The people of Israel sent olive oil as a present to the king of Egypt to try and persuade him to help them.

Hosea 12:2

Yahweh stating that the people of Judah have sinned against him and broken his covenant is spoken of as if Yahweh were accusing them in court. See how you translated a similar phrase in Hosea 4:1. (See: Metaphor)

Here “Judah” and “Jacob” both represent the people of Judah. Alternate translation: “against the people of Judah … punish them for what they have done … repay them for their deeds” (See: Doublet and Metonymy)

This is a complaint by one person against another person in a court of law. See how you translated this in Hosea 2:2.

Hosea 12:3

Hosea the prophet is speaking about Jacob the ancestor of the Israelites.

Jacob wanted to take his brother’s place as the firstborn, so he tried to keep his brother from being born first. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hosea 12:4

Jacob fought with an angel so that the angel would bless him. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hosea 12:5

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Here “name” represents the entire character of God. Alternate translation: “is his name to which we pray” or “is his name by which we worship him” (See: Active or Passive and Metonymy)

Hosea 12:6

This refers to obeying God’s law and doing what is right.

Hosea 12:7

Hosea the prophet is speaking about Israel.

The merchants use scales that do not accurately measure the weight of the money or products they are buying or selling.

The merchants cheat their customers by lying to them and taking more money than they should.

Hosea 12:8

These two phrases mean the same thing and mean that the people of Ephraim consider themselves to be very prosperous. (See: Parallelism)

Becoming wealthy by trading is spoken of as finding wealth. Alternate translation: “I have made much money” (See: Metaphor)

These two phrases mean the same thing and emphasize that the people of Ephraim consider themselves to be blameless. Learning that someone has sinned is spoken of as finding sin in that person. Alternate translation: “they will not discover that I have done anything sinful” (See: Doublet and Metaphor)

Hosea 12:9

Yahweh is speaking to the people of Israel.

This could mean: (1) “I am Yahweh your God, who brought your ancestors from the land of Egypt” or (2) “I have been your God ever since you were in the land of Egypt” or (3) “I became your God when you were in the land of Egypt”

This could mean: (1) Yahweh is threatening to force the people of Israel from their homes and make them live in tents. So, here to “live in tents” would represent being sent into exile, or (2) it is a promise that after their exile the people will live in tents again, and Yahweh will take care of them as he did when the Israelites left Egypt. So, here “to live in tents” would represent a return to an ideal situation when Yahweh took care of his people. (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 12:10

Here “hand” represents the one who carries out an action. Alternate translation: “Through the prophets” (See: Synecdoche)

Hosea 12:11

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

The altars where the people worshiped will be thrown down and become piles of stones. (See: Simile)

Hosea 12:12

Here “Jacob” and “Israel” refer to the same person. Jacob’s name became Israel later in his life.

Hosea 12:13

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

That is, Moses.

Hosea 12:14

The anger that the people have caused in Yahweh is extremely great.

Here “blood” refers to the guilt incurred by people who murder others. God will not forgive their sins. (See: Metonymy)

The idea of making someone suffer the results of his own actions is spoken of as if those actions were objects that were thrown back at him. Alternate translation: “will make him suffer from his own disgraceful actions” (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 13

Hosea 13 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter uses poetry to communicate Yahweh’s disgust and anger with the northern kingdom of Israel.

Special concepts in this chapter

“Israel” and “Ephraim” are terms used to speak about the people of the northern kingdom. Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom. (See: How to Translate Names)

This chapter makes it clear that the northern kingdom is going to be nearly decimated as a people. They will no longer exist as a nation.

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Rhetorical question

Hosea uses rhetorical questions throughout this chapter. They are not questions requesting information but rather questions indicating some emotion like anger or dissatisfaction. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hosea 13:1

Yahweh is speaking.

Hosea uses the term “Ephraim” to refer to the entire northern kingdom, although it was also the name of one of the ten tribes. Hosea seems to be speaking of a long-past time, when the northern kingdom was strong and honored, unlike at the present time. (See: Synecdoche)

It is understood that people were trembling because they were afraid of Ephraim. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “there was trembling among the people” or “people trembled in fear” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Here “exalting” means to make oneself important. (See: Metaphor)

When the people of Ephraim began worshiping Baal, they grew weak, and their enemies defeated them. Here “died” refers to the nation growing weak. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 13:2

Here “they” refers to the tribe of Ephraim and the entire nation of Israel, who followed Ephraim’s example.

Part of idol worship was kissing idol figures that were images of calves. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

Hosea 13:3

These expressions state that Israel is temporary and will soon disappear if they continue to worship idols instead of following Yahweh. (See: Simile)

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “that the wind blows away” (See: Active or Passive)

Hosea 13:4

Yahweh is speaking of his people as if they had been a flock of sheep that he found wandering in the wilderness. He says that he claimed them there for his own.

Hosea 13:5

Yahweh claimed the Hebrew people as his own special people, and he took care of them there.

Hosea 13:6

The image of sheep is continued with this expression.

Becoming arrogant is spoken of as one’s heart being lifted up. Alternate translation: “you became proud” (See:Metaphor)

Hosea 13:7

Yahweh is speaking.

These are wild animals that attack and kill other animals. Yahweh continues to say that he will destroy his people for their sins. (See: Simile)

Hosea 13:8

These are wild animals that attack and kill other animals. Yahweh continues to say that he will destroy his people for their sins. (See: Simile)

The words “would attack” are left out because they are understood. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “like a bear would attack an animal that takes her cubs” (See: Ellipsis and Active or Passive)

The words “would devour them” are left out because they are understood. Alternate translation: “as a lion would devour them” (See: Ellipsis)

Hosea 13:9

Yahweh is speaking.

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that no one will be able to help the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “there will be no on able to help you.” (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hosea 13:10

Yahweh asks these questions to tell Israel that when they rebel against him, no king or ruler can help them. Only Yahweh can save them from destruction. (See: Rhetorical Question)

Hosea 13:12

Yahweh is speaking.

These two phrases are similar and mean basically the same thing. (See: Parallelism)

The northern kingdom’s iniquity and guilt are spoken of as if they were objects that could be kept for a purpose. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 13:13

Here Yahweh speaks of the suffering the people of Israel will suffer as if it were the pains of child birth. (See: Metaphor)

Yahweh now describes the people of Israel as the baby to which the mother is giving birth. The baby is unwise because it does not want to be born. The people do not want to repent and obey Yahweh. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 13:14

Yahweh is speaking.

Yahweh uses these questions to tell the people of Israel that he is not going to save them from dying. He will certainly punish them. Alternate translation: “I will certainly not rescue them from death and from going down to Sheol.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)

Yahweh speaks to “death” and “Sheol” as if they were people. Yahweh uses questions to say that he will destroy the people soon. Alternate translation: “Now I will cause plagues and let the people of Israel die. I will destroy them and send them to Sheol.” (See: Personification and Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)

Not to think about having compassion is spoken of as if compassion were hidden so that it cannot be seen. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word compassion, you could express the same idea with an adjective. Alternate translation: “I have no compassion for them” or “I will not be compassionate towards them” (See: Metaphor and Abstract Nouns)

Hosea 13:15

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

This expression seems to stand for the nations around the northern kingdom, especially Judah, the southern kingdom. (See: Metaphor)

A wind from the east was very hot and destructive. Here it refers to the armies from the east that Yahweh will send to destroy the people of Israel. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea continues to describe how God will punish the people of Israel. Here water represents life, vitality, and strength. (See: Metaphor)

This refers to all of the peoples’ possessions. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 13:16

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

Here “Samaria” refers to the people in the city of Samaria who are guilty of rebelling against God. (See: Metonymy)

Here to “fall” represents dying. (See: Euphemism)

Here the “sword” represents the enemy soldiers who used swords in battle. (See: Metonymy)

These phrases can be put into the active voice. Alternate translation: “the enemy will dash their young children to pieces, and they will rip open the pregnant women” (See: Active or Passive)

Hosea 14

Hosea 14 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This last chapter of Hosea ends with hope. In this chapter, Hosea calls for Israel to confess to Yahweh and repent. This chapter continues to be written in poetic form, using metaphors and other devices to communicate God’s love for his sinful people. (See: confess, confession, repent, repentance, love, beloved, sin, sinful, sinner, sinning and people of God and Metaphor)

Why are confession and repentance even suggested here for a people that Yahweh has already condemned to be destroyed? It is because this is a teaching that Yahweh is a merciful God who loves his people. (See: mercy, merciful)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

Speaker

The use of first and second person in this chapter often signifies a change in speaker. In this chapter, Hosea is speaking to the northern kingdom to tell them that Yahweh loves them. There are several places in this chapter where the writer switches from the third person to the second or the first person. This may cause some confusion about who is speaking.

Hosea 14:1

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

Sinning is spoken of here as if it were falling. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 14:2

This probably means words of confession and praise. Alternate translation: “Confess your sins” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

What a person says is called the fruit of his lips. Modern versions have different translations of this difficult passage. Alternate translation: “our words and songs of praise” (See: Metonymy)

Hosea 14:3

Hosea is speaking

Here people are represented by their “hands” to refer to the people making things. Alternate translation: “to the idols we made” (See: Synecdoche)

This expression stands perhaps for the entire nation. It indicates God’s enormous compassion for his people.

Here the act of God having compassion is spoken of as if it were an object that someone experiencing that compassion had found. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word compassion, you could express the same idea with an adjective. Alternate translation: “finds one who is compassionate” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Hosea 14:4

Yahweh is speaking.

Stopping the people from turning away from God is spoken of as if he were healing them. (See: Metaphor)

The failure of the people to obey God is spoken of as if they had physically turned away from him. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 14:5

God is spoken of as if he were dew that brought needed moisture to plants, and Israel is spoken of as if it were one person, and as if he were a flower that could blossom. (See: Simile and Metaphor)

The picture of Israel in the form of a plant is continued here, but this time in the form of a tall cedar tree in Lebanon, which was known for such trees. (See: Simile)

Hosea 14:6

This passage continues the same image. (See: Simile)

Hosea 14:7

Yahweh is speaking.

The people of Israel will once again live protected by God. Israel is spoken of as living in his shade. (See: Metaphor)

Israel’s new prosperity is spoken of in agricultural terms. (See: Simile)

Just as Lebanon’s wine was famous, so Israel will be famous. Alternate translation: “People everywhere will know about the nation of Israel” (See: Simile)

Hosea 14:8

This passage signifies that God will stop the people of Israel from worshiping idols any longer. (See: Rhetorical Question)

A cypress is a tree whose leaves stay green all year. This represents Yahweh and his blessings on Israel. (See: Simile)

Here “fruit” represents every good thing that comes from Yahweh. (See: Metaphor)

Hosea 14:9

Hosea the prophet is speaking.

The prophet uses these questions to say that wise people will understand and listen to what has been said to them. (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)

Yahweh’s commandments are spoken of as ways to walk in. (See: Metaphor)

Disobeying Yahweh is spoken of as if it were stumbling while walking. (See: Metaphor)