OET interlinear HOS 10:13

10:13a–c

In this verse, Hosea continues to speak directly to the people of Israel. These verse parts are another saying about sowing and reaping. It contrasts with the saying in 10:12a–c. There, the saying figuratively reminds the people of Israel that the LORD requires them to be righteous and loving. But here the saying describes how the people actually lived. They were wicked and evil.

Notice the parallel parts:

^13a You have plowed wickedness

^13band reaped injustice;

^13c you have eaten the fruit of lies.

10:13a

10:13b

10:13a–b

You have plowed wickedness and reaped injustice: This is a metaphor. It compares people who live in wicked ways to people who plow (and by implication plant seeds) and then harvest a crop. People who plow wickedness will harvest a crop of evil.

Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

  You have planted wickedness and harvested evil. (GW)

  You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice (ESV)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

  You have been like people who plant wickedness and harvest a crop of evil.

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

  You have lived sinfully and are now full of evil.

In Hebrew, the contrast between 13a–c and 12a–c is implied. Some versions make it explicit by adding the word “but” to introduce this contrast. Use a natural way in your language to indicate this contrast.

You have plowed wickedness: This phrase contrasts with “sow for yourselves righteousness” in 12a. The Hebrew word for “plow” here probably implies sowing in addition to plowing.Macintosh (page 425). One method of growing crops was to scatter the seed and then plow it into the ground.This practice is mentioned by Hubbard (page 182), who suggests the following paraphrase: “But instead of all this, you have grooved (ploughed) into your way of life the seeds of iniquity.” Many versions use only the word plowed, but it may be better to use a word or phrase that more clearly shows the contrast to “sow.” For example:

cultivated (NLT)

planted (GNT)

The Hebrew word for wickedness means to do wrong.TWOT (#2222a), HALOT (electronic ed., page 1296). It is the opposite of the righteousness that God commanded them to sow in 12a.See Stuart (pages 170–171) and Macintosh (page 425).

and reaped injustice: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “you have reaped injustice/badness.” The phrase contrasts with “reap love” in 12b. It indicates that injustice is the result of wicked behavior. The word injustice is very similar to the Hebrew word for wickedness in 13a. Both words mean to do what is wrong.TWOT (#1580b). Hubbard (page 181) suggests that the word conveys a sense of violence in the doing of wrong. McComiskey (page 180) suggests that the word is often translated as “injustice” but in most occurrences it has the general sense of wickedness. Macintosh (page 425) suggests “what is wrong—opposite of goodness.”

10:13c

you have eaten the fruit of lies: This clause is part of the metaphor in 13a–b that compares the people of Israel to people who plant seeds and then harvest a crop. In this clause, the people of Israel are compared to people who eat fruit of deception/lies.

Here are some ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the metaphor. For example:

  you have eaten the fruit of lies (NRSV)

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

  It is as if deception has been your food.

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

  You have been deceitful in all you do.

In Hebrew, the word lies refers to either the act of lying or the lies that result from that action.TWOT (#975b), Andersen and Freedman (page 569). Stuart (pages 170–171) suggests “dishonesty.” Macintosh (page 425) and Wood (page 211) suggest “deceit.” To eat deception/lies is probably a figurative way to say that lies and deceit characterized the people’s conduct.Macintosh (page 425). Deception was normal behavior for them. See Hosea 11:12.

There are two main ways to understand the phrase fruit of lies. Either option is valid.

• The phrase fruit of lies means fruit that consists of deception/lies. The deception/fruit that Israel eats is the product of Israel’s wickedness and evil.Keil (page 88) and Davies (page 247). For example:

  You have eaten lies, which is the fruit that your wickedness produced.

• The phrase fruit of lies means fruit that comes/results from deception/lying. The fruit that Israel eats is the product of deception/lies.Andersen and Freedman (page 569). For example:

  You have eaten the fruit that your lies produced. (GW)

10:13d

Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your mighty men: There are two main ways to understand the relationship of this clause to the clauses that surround it:

1. This clause is related to the clauses that follow it. It gives the reason for the coming destruction (see 10:14).Wood (page 211), McComiskey (page 180), and Stuart (pages 170–171). For example:

   ^13dBecause you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your warriors, ^14atherefore the tumult of war shall arise among your people, and all your fortresses shall be destroyed (ESV) (BSB, CEV, GNT, GW, ESV, NASB, NCV, NIV, NJB, NRSV, REB)

2. This clause is related to the clause that precedes it. It explains the deception/lies that Israel has eaten.Hubbard (pages 181–182) and Wood (page 211). For example:

   ^13cYou have eaten the fruit of lies—^13dtrusting in your military might, believing that great armies could make your nation safe. (NLT) (NJPS, NLT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries.McComiskey (page 180) discusses several factors that support this option. One important factor is the change of number on the pronoun “you” from plural in 13a–c to singular here through verse 14. This indicates a break in the flow of thought and provides a connection between this clause and verse 14a.

Because: This word introduces the reason for the destruction that 10:14 tells about. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this reason.

you have trusted in your own way: In Hebrew, the pronoun you is plural in 13a–c. However, it is singular in this clause. Hosea may be thinking of the nation as one unit.See Davies (page 248). However, another option is suggested by Macintosh (page 426). He cites Kimchi, who proposed that the singular pronoun indicates Hosea is addressing the king of Israel. However, evidence in favor of this proposal is not sufficient to recommend it for translation. Translate the pronoun here and in 10:14 in a way that is natural in your language.

The word trusted means to place confidence in a person or an object.

way: There are textual and interpretation issues with the Hebrew word for strength:

1. The Masoretic Text has “you have trusted in your own way.” Here way should be interpreted as military strength or power.HALOT (electronic ed., page 231) sense 7. Favored by Andersen and Freedman (page 569), Hubbard (page 182), and Wood (page 211). HOTTP recommends the MT with a B rating (almost certain), but it suggests the translation “on your way.” For example:

   you have trusted in your power (NRSV) (CEV, GW, NCV, NIV, NLT, NRSV)

2. The LXX has “you have trusted in your chariots.”Favored by Stuart (pages 170–171) and Davies (page 248). The BHS editors suggest that the original reading of the word was bǝrikbǝka, “in your chariots.” See the NET footnote on this word. For example:

   you have trusted in your chariots (REB) (GNT, NET, NJB, REB, RSV)

3. The Masoretic Text has “you have trusted in your own way.” In this context, it may refer to the way that the nation of Israel conducts its affairs.HALOT (electronic ed., page 231) sense 4. Also McComiskey (page 180) and Macintosh (page 425) For example:

   you have trusted in your way (NASB) (BSB, ESV, KJV, NASB, NJPS)

You may follow option (1) or (2). Both options make good sense in the context of military strength and the following reference to warriors.Most versions under option (3) also imply a trust in military strength here. All but the ESV use punctuation and wording that connect Israel’s reliance on their own “way” to reliance on their many warriors. The Display will follow option (1).

and in the multitude of your mighty men: In Hebrew, this phrase does not begin with the word and. The BSB and some other versions supply it. The absence of this word in Hebrew probably indicates that Israel’s strength consisted in their mighty men. The mighty men were not a separate item in addition to their strength.

Here are some ways to express the more accurate meaning:

…trusting in your military might, believing that great armies could make your nation safe. (NLT)

you have trusted in your power, in your great numbers of warriors (adapted from NJB)

The Hebrew word for “mighty man” means “strong or valiant man,” or “military hero.”HALOT (electronic ed., page 172) 1. “manly, vigorous” and 2 “(military) hero.” Also, McComiskey (page 180) and Andersen and Freedman (page 570).

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

soldiers (NCV)

mighty men (KJV)

powerful forces (CEV)