4:11b–12a

(NRSV) Wine and new wine: In this phrase, the two terms for wine function together as a unit. The repetition emphasizes the intoxicating effect of wine. The distinction in meaning between the two words for wine is not important here. So some versions have only “wine.” For example:

Wine has robbed my people of their understanding. (NLT)

For translation advice on the word wine, see the note on 2:8b.

(NRSV) Wine: The Hebrew word that many English versions translate as Wine is the normal word for “wine.” It does not refer to wine that has been aged for a long time. In some languages, a phrase such as “old wine” may have a wrong connotation. If that is true in your language, you should simply use your term for “wine,” as the NLT has done.

(NRSV) take away the understanding. My people consult…: There are two ways to interpret the possible connection of the phrase My people to the word understanding.This issue of interpretation overlaps with a textual issue that involves the verse numbering. The Masoretic Text places the phrase My people at the beginning of 4:12. The LXX places the phrase at the end of 4:11. Unfortunately, the differences in verse numbering do not line up with the differences in meaning in the English versions. For example, the NIV places the phrase “of my people” at the start of 4:12, but connects it to the word “understanding” at the end of 4:11. The NET also translates this phrase as “understanding of my people,” but it places the entire phrase at the end of 4:11. To minimize confusion over differences in verse numbering, the Notes will discuss this issue in terms of the way it affects the meaning. The English versions will be listed according to how they connect the phrase “my people,” not according to where they divide the verse numbers.

1. The phrase My people does not connect to the previous word understanding. The phrase My people serves as the subject of the verb consult that follows it. For example:

   take away the understanding. My people consult… (NRSV) (BSB, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NRSV)

2. The phrase My people connects to the previous word understanding. They are parts of a larger phrase: “understanding of my people.” For example:

   take away the understanding of my people. They consult… (NET) (CEV, GNT, NET, NIV, NJB, NLT, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In Hebrew, the position of the phrase My people in relation to the verb consult highlights the fact that it is God’s own people that consult idols.

Here is another way to express this emphasis:

My own people consult a piece of wood!

(NRSV) take away the understanding: The Hebrew idiom that the NRSV translates as take away the understanding is literally “take away the heart.” The people of Israel considered the heart to be the center of thought and knowledge. To take away the heart meant to interfere with clear thinking. In this context, it meant that the people’s habit of drunkenness led to their lack of clear thinking regarding the LORD and his standards. See “lack of knowledge” under 4:6a.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit whose understanding is being referred to. One way to do this is to refer to people in general. For example:

Wine takes away people’s ability to understand.

Wine keeps a person from thinking clearly.

4:11b