14:9a–b

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning:

^9a Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

^9b whoever is discerning, let him know them.

^9a Whoever is wise, let him understand these things: ^9bwhoever is discerning, let him know them: In Hebrew, both these parallel lines begin with a question: “Who is wise/discerning?” This question introduces the topic of a wise/discerning person. There are two main ways to interpret the relationship of each topic to the next clause:

1. The topic is followed by an exhortation for a wise/discerning person to act in a certain way. In other words, if a person is wise/discerning, he should act in a certain way. For example:

   Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. (NIV2011)

   Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. (NAB) (BSB, ESV, GNT, NAB, NASB, NET, NIV2011, NJB, NLT, REB, RSV)

2. The topic is followed by a statement that describes the way that a wise/discerning person acts. In other words, if a person is wise/discerning, he will act in a certain way as a result. For example:

   Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. (NIV)

   Those who are wise understand these things; those who are discerning know them. (NRSV) (CEV, GW, NCV, NIV, NJPS, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a majority of versions and commentaries.Commentaries that support interpretation (1) include Dearman, Macintosh, Hubbard, Stuart, Garrett, and Andersen and Freedman. McComiskey supports interpretation (2). Carroll (pages 304–305) gives three interpretations for the two verbs: jussive sense, introducing a final clause, and expressing a consequence. He does not give a preference. The form of the Hebrew verbs used for “understand” and “know” normally indicates an exhortation, not simply a statement.The form of the verb used here is a jussive. See NET footnote (a).

14:9a

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things: Here are some other ways to translate this line:

Let the wise understand these words (NJB)

Let the wise consider these things (REB)

People who are wise should/must understand these things.

Whoever is wise: In this context the meaning of the Hebrew word is “prudent in religious affairs.”BDB (#2450). Dearman (pages 344–346) describes wisdom here as “a patterned, disciplined response to the ways [of YHWH’s modes of action and instruction] revealed.”

understand: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as understand means “understand, know (with the mind).” It refers to a person who has insight and who makes good use of knowledge.BDB (#4000). TWOT (#239) says that the Hebrew word “is a power of judgment and perceptive insight and is demonstrated in the use of knowledge.”

these things: This phrase refers to everything that Hosea has said in this book.Keil (page 108), Dearman (pages 344–346), Davies (page 309) and McComiskey (page 236). Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

these words (NJB)

what is written here (GNT)

14:9b

whoever is discerning, let him know them: Here are some other ways to translate this line:

let the intelligent grasp their meaning (NJB)

and let the prudent acknowledge them (REB)

People who are sensible should/must know these things.

discerning: In Hebrew, this word is a form of the same word that the BSB translates as “understand” in 9a.The Niphal participle form. The meaning is similar: “intelligent, discreet, discerning, have understanding.”BDB (#4000) Niphal.

know them: See the note on know in 2:20b.TWOT (#838) says the word “expresses a multitude of shades of knowledge gained by the senses.” In this context, the word refers to a person gaining knowledge of the truth that Hosea has spoken. That includes learning what is true, being attentive to it and living by it.Macintosh (page 582) translates it as “observing, taking note of.”

The word them refers to “these things” in 9a.

14:9c–e

Notice the three poetic lines. The first line gives a topic “The ways of the LORD” and a statement about the topic. Those ways “are right.” The second and third lines give two different responses to the topic.

^9cFor the ways of the LORD are right;

^9dand the righteous walk in them

^9ebut the rebellious stumble in them.

14:9c

For the ways of the LORD are right: The For introduces a reason or basis for what Hosea says in 9a–b.Literally kî. McComiskey (page 237) describes the word here as indicating “proximate cause.” The reason it is wise to understand Hosea’s words is because Yahweh’s ways are right. Stuart (pages 219–220) calls this line the “governing basis for both knowledge and behavior.” The reason that wise and discerning people should understand and know these things is because the ways of the LORD are right. Some versions, such as the BSB above, use the word “for” to introduce this reason. Some other leave the reason implied. For example:

The ways of the Lord are right; (NIV)

Use a natural way in your language to indicate that this clause is a reason.

the ways of the LORD: Here, as is common in wisdom writings, the word ways is used as a metaphor that compares behavior/conduct to a road or path.Hubbard (page 233). Here are some things this phrase means or describes:

1. The ways of the LORD are his own actions and behavior.HALOT (electronic edition, page 232) 5.

2. The ways of the LORD are what is morally and ethically right.Andersen and Freedman (pages 647–648), Macintosh (page 582).

3. The ways of the LORD are the basis of his guidance and requirements for his people.Dearman (pages 344–346), Keil (page 108), Carroll (pages 304–305), and Davies (page 311).

right: The Hebrew word means “just,” “upright.”HALOT (electronic edition, page 450) 5 and BDB (#3477) 3. The word describes actions that are correct/proper.

14:9d–e

and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them: These two lines refer to two ways that people respond to the LORD and to his teachings. Some people choose to follow him and his teachings, which leads to life. Other people choose to reject him and his teachings, which leads to death.See also Deuteronomy 30:19–20.

14:9d

the righteous walk in them: This line describes a righteous person as one who follows the ways of the LORD, his commands, and his high standard of moral conduct. Here are some other ways to translate this line:

the godly walk in them (NET)

righteous people live by them (GW)

Good people live by following them (NCV)

the righteous: In Hebrew, this word means “just,” “upright,” or “devout.” It describes people who have good character and who behave correctly according to the LORD’s moral and ethical standards.HALOT (electronic edition, page 1002) 5 and BDB (#3072) 3.

walk in them: This phrase is a metaphor that compares the way people think and behave to walking.HALOT (electronic edition, p. 247) 6 and BDB (#1980) II 3.

The words in them refer back to the ways of the LORD. Here are some other ways to translate the phrase walk in them:

live by them (GW)

live by following them (NCV)Stuart (page 219–220).

14:9e

but the rebellious stumble in them: This line describes a rebellious person as one who has trouble because he/she does not follow the ways of the LORD. Here are some other ways to translate this line:

Rebellious people stumble over them. (GW)

But in those paths sinners stumble and fall (NLT)

But sinners stumble and fall because they ignore them. (GNT)

but: This word introduces a contrast. Here it indicates that there is a difference between rebellious people and righteous people. Introduce this contrast in a natural way in your language.

the rebellious: The Hebrew word means those who “transgress,” “rebel.”A participial noun = those who transgress. HALOT (electronic edition, page 981) 3a and BDB (#6586) 2. Here it refers to people who are disloyal to the LORD and his ways.

stumble in them: This phrase is a metaphor that compares rebellion against the LORD and his ways to physical stumbling and/or falling. The Hebrew word for stumble means stumble or “stagger.”HALOT (electronic edition, pages 502–503) and BDB (#3782) 1b. As in 9d, the words in them refer back to the ways of the LORD.

This phrase is figurative and means to stumble over the ways of the LORD, his commands, and his standard of moral conduct. A person who stumbles chooses not to obey the LORD’s commands. As a result, he suffers downfall and ruin.McComiskey (pages 236–237) says that “Ephraim’s ways will lead to death. Macintosh (page 582) says that they will suffer “utter ruin.”

Here the phrase does not refer only to a temporary or minor difficulty. These are Hosea’s final words that refer back to the book of Hosea as a whole. In these chapters, he includes many serious warnings. People who reject the LORD suffer ruin and death as a result. Here those warnings are in view. (See also Hosea 4:5a and 5:5a–c)