13:16a

Samaria will bear her guilt: There is a textual issue concerning the Hebrew word that the BSB translates as bear her guilt:

1. The Masoretic Text has “it/she will be held guilty Samaria.”BDB (#816). For example:

   Samaria will be held guilty (NET) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GNT, GW, NASB, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, NRSV)

2. The LXX has “Samaria will be destroyed.”A possible root is BDB (#3456) “be desolate.” For example:

   Samaria will become desolate (REB) (KJV, NCV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions and commentaries.This interpretation is favored by Keil, Garrett, McComiskey, Davies, Macintosh, and Wood. The word guilt implies that a person has sinned. The phrase bear her guilt means the people of Samaria will suffer the consequences of their sin.TWOT (#180) says that the meaning can shift from the sinful act that brings guilt to the status of guilt/culpability (deserving punishment) to the act of punishment. In this verse the meaning is the act of punishment because of their guilt.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

The people of Samaria are guilty as charged (GW)

The people of Samaria must bear the consequences of their guilt (NLT)

Samaria will pay the penalty (NJB)

Samaria will be punished (CEV)

Samaria: It is possible that the name Samaria represents the nation of Israel here, as “Ephraim” often does elsewhere.Dearman (pages 332–333) and Wood (page 222). The NCV translates “Samaria” as “The nation of Israel.” However, it is not certain. It makes good sense for Hosea to speak of the literal city and people of Samaria at that time, just prior to the Assyrian invasion of Samaria.Stuart (pages 208–209) suggests that at that time Samaria was the only major reminder left of the once successful, influential Northern Kingdom. It is recommended that you follow the majority of versions that translate the name either as Samaria or “the people of Samaria.”

13:16b

because she has rebelled against her God: This line gives the basis or reason for Samaria’s guilt.McComiskey (page 227). Samaria is guilty of rebellion against God. A Hebrew word, translated here as because (“for” in some versions), introduces the reason. Introduce this reason in a natural way in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

For she has defied her God (NJPS)

Samaria will be punished for turning against me. (CEV)

her God: This phrase points to the relationship that the people should have with God. Hosea may intend to give attention to how inexcusable their behavior is. They rebel as if he is not their God.Macintosh (page 555). Some versions leave the word her implied. However, it is recommended that you translate the complete phrase, her God.

God: In this clause, the Hebrew word for God is a form of elohim and not YHWH. Use your general term for God here.

13:16c–e

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning.

^16c They will fall by the sword;

^16d their little ones will be dashed to pieces,

^16eand their pregnant women ripped open.

These three lines describe the terrible consequences of the people’s rebellion against God. They will suffer and die in war. The first line is a more general statement. The second and third lines give specific examples.

There is an ellipsis in the third line. In some languages the verb may need to be supplied. For example:

and their pregnant women will be ripped open

The second and third lines are passive in form. In some languages, it will be more natural to use active forms. For example:

^16dthe enemy will dash Samaria’s little ones to pieces,

^16ethey will rip open the pregnant women.

13:16c

They will fall by the sword: This phrase can mean that the Assyrian army will kill some people using swords. The same phrase can be a figure of speech that means people will die in war, regardless of the weapon used. It is a standard description of the devastation of war.IVPBBC Hosea 13:16. Some versions, such as the BSB above, translate the Hebrew phrase more literally. Others translate the wider meaning of war. Either way to translate this phrase is acceptable. Here are some other examples:

Her people will die in war. (GNT)

They will be killed by an invading army (NLT)

13:16d

their little ones will be dashed to pieces: This line is probably meant literally.

Here are some other ways to translate this line:

children will be beaten against rocks (CEV)

their children will be smashed to death (GW)

13:16e

their pregnant women ripped open: This line is also probably meant literally.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

their pregnant women ripped open by swords (NLT)

their pregnant women disemboweled (NJB)