13:1a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^1aWhen Ephraim spoke, there was trembling;

^1b he was exalted in Israel.

These lines talk about Israel’s past. There was a time when Ephraim had power and high status.

13:1a

When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling: This line is more literally “just as spoke Ephraim trembling.”BART interlinear. The Lexham Hebrew Bible gloss is “as/the moment of speaking Ephraim [there was] terror.

When: This time word introduces two events that occurred simultaneously. People trembled at the same time that Ephraim spoke.”McComiskey (page 213).

Ephraim: Here the name Ephraim probably refers literally to the tribe of Ephraim.The literal reference to Ephraim as a tribe is supported by Keil, Garrett, Macintosh, Hubbard, Davies, McComiskey, and Wood. Some versions make that meaning explicit. For example:

When the tribe of Ephraim spoke, people trembled. (GW)

trembling: The Hebrew word for trembling occurs only here in the Old Testament. The meaning is probably trembling or “fear/horror.”This is the majority view of rabbinic and modern commentators as well as some ancient versions. The Hebrew word also occurs once in a Qumran scroll with the meaning “trembling” or “horror.” See Macintosh (page 518), Hubbard (page 213), and Davies (page 286). Here the word trembling refers to the fearful response of the people to Ephraim.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

People used to fear the tribe of Ephraim (NCV)

When the tribe of Ephraim spoke, the people shook with fear (NLT)

13:1b

he was exalted in Israel: In Hebrew, the word exalted means “lifted” or “raised high.”NIDOTTE (#5951). In this context, the word refers to the power and importance of the tribe of Ephraim in Israel in the past.Some other descriptive words are “glory” (Garrett page 248), “pre-eminence” (Macintosh page 520) or “prominence” (McComiskey page 213). There is a combined textual and interpretation issue about the Hebrew verb form of he was exalted:

1. It is a passive form. he Ephraim was exalted. The implied subject is the people of Israel.The editors of the BHS suggest that the vowels for a Niphal perfect 3rd person masculine singular form be adopted for the word. See the NET footnote for “exalted.” However, this meaning may be possible for Qal as well. See DCH (page 768) 17b “be exalted.” They regarded the tribe of Ephraim to be powerful and important. For example:

   he was exalted in Israel (NRSV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GNT, GW, NAB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, NRSV, REB)

2. It is a reflexive form. Ephraim exalted himself.A reflexive meaning normally has Niphal form. However, this meaning is possible for Qal also. See DCH (page 768) 17b “lift oneself up, exalt oneself.” Alternatively, rabbinic scholar Kimchi proposes the translation “he exalted his head.” The phrase “his head” is implied. The overall meaning is that he made himself important. See Macintosh (pages 519–520). The subject is Ephraim. The tribe of Ephraim made itself powerful and important. For example:

   he exalted himself in Israel (NASB) (KJV, NASB)

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

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

The people of Ephraim were important in Israel. (GW)

he was a power in Israel (NJB)

13:1c

But: This word introduces a contrast in which “he” (Ephraim) again refers to Israel as a nation. This is the way Hosea has used Ephraim everywhere else. See the note on Ephraim in 12:14a.

Ephraim did not thank the LORD or worship him in response. Instead the people sinned by worshiping Baal. Use a natural way in your language to introduce this negative contrast.

he incurred guilt through Baal: This description may refer to the time when Ahab introduced Baal worship. See 1 Kings 16:31. Another way to say he incurred guilt is to say “he sinned.” For example:

But the people of Ephraim sinned by worshiping Baal (NLT)

and he died: The result of Ephraim’s Baal worship was that he died. In Hebrew, this is a past event.Qal waw consecutive. Some versions translate this as future “will die” or as a volitional “must die.” However, the Hebrew word form that is used here should not be translated as a future or volitional.Neither idea is indicated by a series of waw consecutive forms following a perfect form, as occurs here.

The word died does not mean that the people of Ephraim died physically, since the following verse says that they continued to sin.Davies (page 284) and Dearman (page 319). The following verses speak of Israel’s future destruction as a nation. The prophet views this destruction of Ephraim, including all of Israel, as already complete. So died probably refers to the strength and identity of Ephraim, along with Israel, as a nation.Davies (page 284) suggests that they were excluded from his sphere of influence. McComiskey (page 213) suggests that the word “died” denotes the end of a viable relationship to the inheritance and ultimately the end of Israel as a nation. ICC (page 520) suggests the meaning “was accounted dead,” and says that “the strength of the kingdom…was terminally affected.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

and you were destroyed (CEV)

and became as if dead as a nation