OET interlinear HOS 1:6

1:6a

Gomer again conceived and gave birth to a daughter: Although the verse does not explicitly say that Hosea was the father, it is implied here.Andersen and Freedman (page 187). See how you translated the similar sentence in 1:3b.

In Hebrew, there is no explicit transition between the birth of Hosea and Gomer’s first child in 1:3 and the birth of their second child here in 1:6. In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit that some time passed between the two births. For example:

Soon Gomer became pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter. (NLT)

Later, Gomer had a daughter (CEV)

daughter: In languages that do not use a gender-specific word such as daughter, you may need to use a phrase such as “female child.”

Notice that the CEV leaves implicit the information that Gomer “conceived again.” Describe this event in a way that is natural in your language.

1:6b

Name her Lo-ruhamah: The literal meaning of the Hebrew name Lo-ruhamah is “Not having obtained mercy/love.” This name covers more than one aspect of meaning. For example:

Not pitied (RSV)

Not Loved (NIV footnote)

No Mercy (CEV footnote)

Choose an expression in your language that includes one or more of these aspects of meaning. It is important that your translation communicates the meaning of the name to your readers. Otherwise your readers will not know why the LORD told Hosea to give her that name.

Here are some other ways to translate this name:

• Omit the Hebrew name and write the meaning of the name in the translation. This is a good option, especially if it is a custom in your culture to give children names with meanings that the people understand. For example:

  Call her name Not pitied (RSV)

  Name her ‘Unloved’ (GNT)

• Write the Hebrew name in the translation and give the meaning in a footnote. Many English versions do this. For example:

  Name her Lo-Ruhamah (NCV) Here is the NCV footnote:

  [Lo-Ruhamah] This name in Hebrew means “not pitied.” (NCV)

• Write both the Hebrew name and the meaning in the translation. If you do this, avoid giving the impression that the LORD explained the meaning of the name to Hosea. The GW uses brackets to accomplish this. For example:

  Name her Lo Ruhamah [Unloved].

If your readers are not familiar with this use of brackets, the first two options may be preferable to this one.

The names of Gomer’s next two children are discussed in 1:9a and 2:23b–c. Consider the context carefully to see whether you can use the same method to translate all three names. See especially the notes on 2:23b–c.

1:6c

for: In Hebrew, this word introduces a two-part reason for the LORD’s command that Hosea should name his child Lo-ruhamah. Most English versions translate this word as for or “because.” For example:

because I will not pity Israel anymore (NCV)

Some versions leave the connection implied. Introduce this two-part reason in a natural way in your language.

I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel: This is the first reason that the LORD told Hosea to name his daughter Lo-ruhamah. The name will indicate to them that the LORD will no longer show them love or mercy.

have compassion: This is the verb in Hebrew from which Lo-ruhamah’s name is derived. You should translate this phrase with the same word or phrase that you used to describe the meaning of Lo-ruhamah’s name. For example, if you said that her name means “Not pitied,” you should also translate the verb here as “show pity.”

the house of Israel: This phrase is a figure of speech that refers here to the nation of Israel, specifically the people of that nation.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Israel (REB)

the nation of Israel (NET)

the people of Israel (GNT)

Try to translate the phrase house of Israel consistently, if the context is the same. In some verses, such as 1:4c, this phrase occurs in a different context, so your translation there may be different.

1:6d

that I should ever forgive them: In Hebrew, this clause is closely related to the previous statement, “I will no longer show love to the house of Israel.” It gives the second part of the reason for Lo-ruhamah’s name. Her name indicates that the LORD will no longer forgive them. Both clauses have a similar, negative meaning.See Follingstad for a comprehensive discussion of the particle ki. McComiskey (page 24) says that the second clause further develops the thought of the first clause. According to Andersen and Freedman (page 192), the conjunction ki is “resumptive or assertive.” Their translation connects the two clauses with the word “or.” Dearman (page 92) agrees with Andersen and Freedman that the negative word “not” in the first clause modifies the second clause as well. Dearman connects the two negative statements with the word “and.”

Here are some other ways to express the relationship between these clauses:

• Use a conjunction such as “and” or “or.” For example:

  I will no longer show love to the people of Israel or forgive them (NLT)

  I will no longer have mercy and forgive Israel (CEV)

• Start a new sentence or clause at this point. Leave the connection implied. For example:

  I will no longer love the nation of Israel. I will no longer forgive them. (GW)

  I shall never again show love to Israel, never again forgive them. (REB)

ever forgive them: In Hebrew, an emphatic form of the verb forgive is used here. It corresponds to the emphasis expressed in the phrase “no longer” in 1:6c. Some versions, such as the GW and REB quoted above, use an emphatic word or phrase in both 1:6c and 1:6d. The NET is similar:

I will no longer have pity on the nation of Israel. For I will certainly not forgive their guilt. (NET)

Other English versions use one expression of emphasis to cover both phrases. For example:

I will no longer have mercy and forgive Israel. (CEV)

Emphasize this phrase in a way that is natural in your language.