OET interlinear HOS 4:7

4:7a

The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me: There is a close connection here between the priests increasing and their sins increasing.

Here are some other ways to express this connection:

Whenever the priests increased, their sins also increased.

The priests kept increasing. When that happened, they also sinned more and more.

they: The pronoun they refers to the priests.

multiplied: The word multiplied refers partly to an increase in the number of priests. Some versions make this idea explicit. For example:

The more of you priests there are, the more you sin against me (GNT)

However, the word multiplied probably also refers to an increase in their prestige and power. As their power grew, so did their sin and so did their influence to corrupt the people.Stuart (pages 78–79) and Macintosh (pages 141–142).

Here is another way to express their increase in both numbers and prestige:

The more their numbers and influence grew, the more their sins against me grew.

sinned: In Hebrew, the form of the verb sinned indicates here that the sinful behavior of the priests was habitual. Some versions, such as the BSB, use past tense to indicate this. Other versions use present tense. For example:

the more they sin against me (NLT)

Use a natural way in your language to indicate that the sinful pattern of behavior of the priests was already established.

4:7b

This verse part is the result of 4:7a. The result of the priests’ increasing sinfulness is that the LORD will humiliate them. For example:

therefore will I change their glory into shame (KJV)

So I’ll turn their honor into disgrace (Voice)

Most versions leave this relationship implied.

The ESV has been used as the source line for 4:7b, because it follows the textual recommendation regarding the pronoun “I” or “they.” It also follows the recommended interpretation regarding “glory” or “Glory.” Notice that the NET and NRSV followed textual option (2), but chose interpretation (1).

(ESV) I will change their glory into shame: There is a textual issue here:

1. The Masoretic Text has “I will exchange their glory.”The MT is supported by Hubbard (page 102), Keil (page 78), Macintosh (page 141), and Pusey (page 49). Wood (page 186) and McComiskey (page 63) follow the MT, but do not discuss the textual issue. This statement continues the pattern that was set in 4:6. The pattern is that the LORD responds to the sin of the priests with a statement of judgment. Here the LORD’s judgment is that he will take away the glory of the priests and give them something disgraceful instead. (CEV, ESV, GNT, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NJPS, REB, RSV)

2. An ancient scribal tradition has “They have exchanged their glory.”According to the NET footnote on this verse, the Masoretic scribes intentionally made this change, because they believed that the received consonantal text was corrupt. This variant is also supported by Andersen and Freedman (page 355) and Stuart (page 72). This tradition is followed by the Targum and by the ancient Syriac translation. In this context, it indicates that the priests rejected their Glory (God) and accepted something disgraceful instead. (BSB, NET, NIV, NJB, NLT, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions and commentaries. The MT makes good sense and fits the overall context of the LORD’s punishment of the priests.

(ESV) their glory: There are two main ways to interpret this phrase:

1. It refers to the glory or honor of the priests. It may refer to their wealth and power or to the high status they enjoyed in the eyes of the people. For example:

   their dignity (NJPS)

   your honor (GNT) (CEV, ESV, GNT, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NET, NJPS, NRSV, REB)Notice that the NRSV preferred “their” to “I” in the textual issue, but here it followed “glory” (small g). The NET also changed their preference in the interpretation issue. It has “their glorious calling.”

2. It refers to God, the Glory of Israel. This is the way this phrase is understood in Psalm 106:20 and Jeremiah 2:11. For example:

   their Glory (NIV)

   the glory of God (NLT) (BSB, NIV, NJB, NLT)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries. This interpretation better fits the context, because the previous high status of the priests contrasts with their shameful removal from the priesthood.

(ESV) shame: In Hebrew, this word here means disgrace, humiliation, or dishonor. It is the opposite of glory and honor.TWOT (#2024a, qalon). See also BDB (#3519, page 459). It identifies sense 3 “honour, dignity of position” as being an antithesis to qalon in Hosea 4:7.

Here are some other ways to translate this whole verse part:

I will take away their honor and give them shame. (NCV)

and so I will turn your honor into disgrace (GNT)