OET interlinear HOS 3:1

3:1a

Then the LORD said to me, “Go show love to your wife again: In this sentence, the Hebrew word order is “said the LORD to me again go show…” There are two ways to interpret the connection of the word again:

1. Go again. The word again modifies the verb Go or the phrase Go show…. For example:

   The Lord said to me, “Go again and show your love…” (GNT) (BSB, ESV, GNT, GW, KJV, NET, NIV, NJB, NLT, RSV)

2. said again. The word again modifies the verb said. This interpretation may indicate that the LORD is continuing the series of speeches described in 1:2–9.Andersen and Freedman (page 294). For example:

   The Lord said to me again, “Go, love… (NRSV) (CEV, NCV, NJPS, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most English versions.Interpretation (1) is also supported by the LXX, Vulgate, and Peshitta. Commentaries that support this interpretation include Macintosh (page 93), Wood (page 181), and Keil (page 66). Interpretation (2) is supported by Stuart, Hubbard (page 90), and Andersen and Freedman (page 294). This command probably refers back to 1:2b, where the LORD told Hosea, “Go, take a prostitue as your wife…” Here the meaning is that Hosea should go and take back his wife so that he can once again show his love to her as her husband.

show love: The Hebrew word translated as love has a broad range of meaning. In this context, it probably means for Hosea to use words and acts of love to reaffirm his marriage. It probably does not mean to “court,” that is, to try to persuade the woman to respond, as in 2:16.Andersen and Freedman (page 295).

your wife: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as your wife is literally “a woman.” For example:

Go again, love a woman (ESV)

Most scholars think that this phrase refers to Hosea’s wife, Gomer.Versions that specify “your wife” include the BSB, GW, NET, NIV, and NLT. Most versions translate this phrase literally. These versions include the CEV, ESV, GNT, NASB, NCV, NJB, NJPS, NRSV, REB, and RSV. Most of these versions are ambiguous, but the ESV, NASB, and NJB indicate by means of a heading or a footnote that they understand the word “woman” to refer to Hosea’s wife, Gomer. Of the commentaries, Stuart thinks this phrase probably refers to a different woman. McComiskey (page 50), Macintosh (page 97), Hubbard (page 54), Wood (page 181), Andersen and Freedman (page 295), Dorsey (page 265), and Bush (page 336) think that it refers to Gomer. This has not been discussed in the Notes as an interpretation issue, because no versions clearly specify that the word “woman” clearly refers to a different woman. The “woman” is further described as an adulteress. This accurately describes Gomer. It is unlikely that the LORD would command Hosea to commit adultery by marrying a different woman who was also an adulteress. A specific reference to Gomer also fits the symbolism of the LORD again showing his love to Israel, the nation that he first chose as his own.Some of the commentators that support the first view are McComiskey, Macintosh, Hubbard, and Bush.

In some languages, a literal translation of the Hebrew phrase may imply that God commanded Hosea to show his love to a different woman. You should translate this phrase so that it refers clearly to Hosea’s wife.

Here are some other ways to translate the whole clause:

Go and love your wife again (NLT)

Go and take back your wife so that you can show her again that you love her.

3:1b

though she is loved by another: There is a textual issue here:

1. The Masoretic Text uses a passive form. It has “woman who is loved by…” In other words, another person is the one who loves, and the woman receives the love. For example:

   loved by someone else (NCV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GNT, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NIV, NJPS, NRSV, REB)The CEV, NRSV, and GNT have, “woman who has (who is committing adultery with) a lover.” Even though they do not retain the Hebrew passive form, they do retain the same meaning. The word “lover” indicates a person who loves the woman.

2. The LXX uses an active form. It has “woman who loves…” In other words, the woman is the one who loves, and another person receives the love. For example:

   loves another man (NJB) (NET, NJB)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions.

If it is not natural to use a passive form in your language, here are two other ways to translate this clause:

• Use an active form that has the same meaning. For example:

  love your wife although another man loves her

• Use a different expression that does not focus on who loves whom. For example:

  love your wife even though she is having an affair

adulteress: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as adulteress is literally “[who] commits adultery.”BART interlinear. It is more specific than a general term such as “immoral.” It refers to a married person who is unfaithful to his or her spouse.

3:1c

Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites: In Hebrew, the words Love her are only implied. The BSB and some other versions supply these words to make explicit that this statement is part of the command “love” in 3:1a. You may want to do the same in your translation.

the Israelites: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as the Israelites is literally “sons of Israel.” It refers here to the entire nation.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Israel (NLT)

the people of Israel (GNT)

3:1d

though they turn to other gods and offer raisin cakes to idols: The word that the BSB translates as offer is literally “love.” This verse part indicates that loving raisin cakes is in some way connected to the worship of other gods. Worshipers may have eaten the cakes as a part of their worship of these false gods, or they may have given the cakes as offerings as the BSB indicates.Macintosh (page 97) and Andersen and Freedman (page 298).

The repetition of the word love (in Hebrew) in this verse effectively contrasts the selfless love the LORD has toward the people of Israel and the self-centered, idolatrous love of the people.Hubbard (pages 91–92).

In Hebrew and also in many English versions, a single word for “love" is used in four places in this verse: “show love to your wife,” “loved by another,” “as the LORD loves the Israelites,” and (NIV:) “love the sacred raisin cakes.” In some languages, a single word can be used in all these contexts. If that is true in your language, consider using it in all four places to show the contrasts. Otherwise, you may need to use more than one word.

offer…to idols: In Hebrew, the words offer…to idols do not occur here. The BSB supplies them to make explicit that these raisin cakes were used in idol worship. Some versions also make explicit how the cakes were used. For example:

take offerings of raisins to idols (GNT)

enjoy the offering cakes made with fruit (CEV)

raisin cakes: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “cakes of grapes.” Raisin cakes were made of dried grapes pressed into a solid mass.Andersen and Freedman (page 298).

If you have no expression for raisin cakes in your language, here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Use a more general term. For example:

  dried grapes

  cakes made with fruit (CEV)

  choice gifts (NLT96)

• Omit the reference to a fruit or a gift and use an expression that refers more generally to worshiping other gods. For example:

  love to worship them (NLT)