4:6a

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: This verse part gives the reason for the words “I will destroy your mother” in 4:5b. It explains that the nation of Israel will be destroyed because of their lack of knowledge.

This is a passive clause. In some languages, you may need to use an active verb and supply the implied subject. For example:

I will destroy them because of their lack of knowledge.

are destroyed: In Hebrew, the form of this verb indicates that destruction will certainly occur. Some versions, such as the BSB, express this certainty by using present tense, as if the destruction has already begun. For example:

My people perish (NJB)

Other versions use future tense. For example:

will be destroyed (NCV)

Use a natural way in your language to indicate that the nation of Israel will certainly be destroyed.

for lack of knowledge: The phrase lack of knowledge has a similar meaning to “no knowledge” in 4:1d (see the note there). It indicates that the people do not know God. They also refuse to obey him. They do not show by their actions that they acknowledge his authority.

for: This word introduces the cause of the people’s destruction. They are destroyed because of their lack of knowledge of God.

Here are some other ways to translate this relationship:

because they do not acknowledge me (GNT)

by refusing to obey (CEV)

4:6b–c

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^6b Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as my priests;

^6c Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.

In these lines, the LORD told the priests that he will no longer allow them or their descendants to serve as his priests.

4:6b

Because: This word introduces the reason that the LORD will reject the priests. He rejects them because they have rejected knowledge.

you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject: The repetition of the word reject emphasizes that the LORD’s response matches the priest’s offense. The REB further highlights this equality by using the words “as” and “so.” As the priests rejected, so the LORD will reject.

As you have rejected knowledge,

so will I reject you as a priest to me.

rejected knowledge: The meaning of rejected knowledge here is similar to 4:1d and 4:6a. See how you translated the similar phrases in those verses.

I will also reject you as My priests: This statement means that the LORD will take away their status as his priests. He will not allow them to serve in that role.

Here are some other ways to translate this statement:

I shall reject you from my priesthood (NJB)

I will refuse to let you be my priests (GW)

you: Most scholars understand the word you here to be the priests who were first mentioned in 4:4b.Some scholars such as Lange (page 52) and Keil (page 78) suggest that “you” refers to the whole nation of Israel as a kingdom of priests. This interpretation is unlikely, since up to this point in this section the LORD has addressed the priests, and the pronoun “you” has consistently referred to the priests. Most other commentators understand “you” to refer to the priests. For example, see Wood (pages 185–186), Stuart (page 78), Macintosh (page 139), and Andersen and Freedman (page 353). Some versions make the pronoun referent explicit. For example:

You priests have refused to acknowledge me (GNT)

In Hebrew, the pronoun you is singular. However, it probably refers to priests as a group, as in 4:4b. See the note there.

4:6c

Since: The word that the BSB translates as Since introduces the reason that the LORD will ignore the children of the priests. He ignores them because the priests have ignored God’s law.

you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget: The repetition of the word forget emphasizes that the LORD’s response matches the priest’s offense. See how you translated the similar situation in 4:6b.

forgotten: Here the word forgotten means to deliberately reject the instruction of the LORD. It does not mean to forget accidentally or temporarily.According to TWOT (#2383), to forget God is similar to not knowing God. Forgetting is not simply a lapse of memory. To forget God is to ignore his commandments (Deuteronomy 8:11). To forget God is to follow other gods (Deuteronomy 8:19); to forget God is to stand in fear of harm and danger, to live fretfully and timidly (Isaiah 51:13). To forget God is to challenge him (Psalm 106:13).

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

rejected (GNT)

refuse to obey (NET)

forsake (REB)

the law of your God: In Hebrew, the word law means “teaching” or “instruction.” Although the word is singular it does not refer to only one law. It refers to the many instructions of the LORD.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

the laws of your God (NLT)

my teaching (GNT)

the teachings of your God (NCV)

I will also forget your children: The phrase forget your children probably means that the LORD will not allow the sons of the priests to become priests.Andersen and Freedman (page 354), Macintosh (page 139), and Hubbard (page 101). Some versions make this idea explicit. For example:

I…will not acknowledge your sons as my priests (GNT)

I will reject your descendants (NET)

your children: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “your sons.” In some Old Testament contexts, the word “sons” refers to both sons and daughters. Here most versions translate this word as children. However, if your language requires you to specify the gender of the child, you should use “sons.” In this context, “your sons” can only refer to male descendants, because only men could become priests.