OET interlinear HOS 12:10

12:10

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^10a I spoke through the prophets

^10band multiplied their visions;

^10c I gave parables through the prophets.

In these lines, the LORD continues to speak. He tells the people that he has communicated in various ways by means of his prophets.

In Hebrew, this verse begins with a word that connects it to the previous verse. In many other places, this word is translated as “and” or “but.”

Here the connection to the previous verse is unclear. These are some possibilities:

1. This verse expands on 12:9a. The LORD led them out of Egypt through his prophet Moses. The LORD continued to guide and teach them through other prophets in the years afterward.McComiskey (pages 206–207, Stuart (page 194), Dearman (pages 311–312), and Keil (page 98).

2. This verse gives a reason why the LORD will make them live in tents again. They knew what the LORD expected from them. He clearly revealed his expectations through the prophets.Stuart (page 194) and Wood (page 217).

3. This verse is information that is secondary to the main prophecy. It is only loosely connected to the surrounding verses.Macintosh (page 502).

Many versions leave the connection of this verse to the previous one implied. Use a natural way in your language to indicate the connection of this verse to 12:9.

12:10a

I spokeThe timeframe is ambiguous. The Hebrew verb form can be understood as either sequential future or sequential past: “I will speak” or “I used to speak.” See Buth (page 359). Versions that translate the verb as future include the LXX and the NJB. The context, however, particularly an unambiguous parallel verb, “multiplied [visions],” suggests that the verb here should also be understood as past. Most versions follow this view. through the prophets: This phrase may indicate that the LORD gave the prophets authority to speak as his representatives.Keil (page 98), Dearman (pages 311–312), Macintosh (page 502), and Hubbard (page 208). Here is another way to make that explicit:

I sent my prophets to warn you (NLT)

12:10b

and multiplied their visions: This clause refers to the many visions that the LORD gave to the prophets throughout Israel’s history.McComiskey (page 206). In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “and I, I multiplied visions.” The explicit pronoun “I" at the front of the clause may indicate emphasis.Ibid. Here are two ways that versions indicate this emphasis:

I myself revealed many visions (NET)

It was I who gave vision after vision (REB)

visions: The Hebrew word can mean either “vision” or word of “revelation.”HALOT (electronic edition, page 301). Since God did not always reveal a message visually, the word “perception” might be a near equivalent. McComiskey (page 206).

12:10c

I gave parables through the prophets: This clause is more literally “and by/through the hand of the prophets I gave parables.” The Hebrew expression “by/through the hand of” indicates the means by which something is done.Or agency. McComiskey (page 206).

There are two main interpretations of the Hebrew word that the BSB translates as gave parables:

1. The word means to tell parables or to use figures of speech.NIDOTTE (#1948) suggests that in this verse it is likely that “compare” is meant and that it may be translated “Through the prophets I create parables.” For example:

   and told parables through the them (NIV) (BSB, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, REB, RSV)

2. The word means to ruin/destroy.HALOT (electronic edition, page 225) III. For example:

   and through the prophets I will bring destruction (NRSV) (CEV, GNT, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most versions follow this view, and it fits the context of the parallel lines well.A main difficulty with interpretation (2) is that the meaning “ruin/destroy” does not occur in the Piel stem used here.

Some versions make explicit the purpose of giving parables. The purpose is to teach. For example:

I taught lessons through the prophets. (GW)