8:1a

Put the ram’s horn to your lips!: The LORD is the implied speaker of these words. In some languages, it will be helpful to make this explicit. For example:

The Lord says, “…. (GNT)

The clause that the BSB translates as Put the ram’s horn to your lips! is literally “to your mouth a horn.” This clause implies that the person should blow the horn. This clause is similar to the cultural gesture “Blow the ram’s horn” in 5:8. In both contexts, the purpose of blowing the horn is to warn the people of danger. Here the danger is specified as an approaching enemy (8:1b).

Here are some ways to translate this cultural gesture:

• Keep the gesture. This option is appropriate if the gesture has the same meaning in your culture. For example:

  Put a ram’s horn to your mouth (NJPS)

• Keep the gesture and add the purpose of the gesture. For example:

  “Sound the alarm on the ram’s horn (GW)

  Blow the ram’s horn to sound the alarm! (Voice)

• Translate the purpose or meaning of the gesture. For example:

  “Sound the alarm! (NLT)

  “Warn the people that their enemies are coming.

ram’s horn: If people in your culture do not blow instruments made from an animal’s horn,The Hebrew word used here is šopar. A different Hebrew word, ḥaṣoṣrah, is used to refer to a metal trumpet. you may use a word like “trumpet” that has a similar function, as many English versions have done.

8:1b

An eagle looms over the house of the LORD: In the BSB, this clause is a metaphor. In Hebrew, it is a simile: “like the eagle over the house of the LORD.” Both figures of speech compare the implied topic (an enemy) to an eagle that flies or circles over the house of the LORD. An enemy army and an eagle are similar, because both are large, strong, and swift. An army and an eagle also attack their opponents or prey.

Here are some ways to translate these figures of speech:

• Use a metaphor. Make the similarity explicit if it will be helpful. For example:

  Now an eagle is swooping down to attack my land. (CEV)

• Use a simile. Make the topic or the similarity explicit if it will be helpful. For example:

  The enemy descends like an eagle on the people of the Lord (NLT)

  A powerful army will soon attack my people like an eagle.

eagle: In Hebrew, this word can refer to an eagle, a vulture, or a similar kind of large bird that eats other birds or small animals. English versions interpret this word in two ways:

1. The word refers here to an eagle. For example:

   Like an eagle (NASB) (BSB, CEV, GNT, GW, KJV, NASB, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, REB)

2. The word refers here to a vulture. For example:

   One like a vulture (ESV) (ESV, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions and commentaries. Eagles attack and eat live animals. Most vultures eat only dead animals.

If eagles are not known in your area, here are two ways to translate the word:

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

  a large fierce bird

• Substitute another large bird that attacks and eats smaller birds or animals.

over the house of the LORD: This phrase indicates that the eagle is ready to attack or has already started to attack the house of the LORD. There are two main ways to interpret the meaning of the phrase the house of the LORD in this context:

1. It refers to the nation of Israel. For example:

   Enemies are swooping down on my land like eagles! (GNT) (CEV, GNT, NCV, NLT)Versions like the NJB (“disaster is swooping on Yahweh’s home”) or the BSB (“the house of the LORD”) have not been listed, because they could be interpreted either way.

2. It refers to the temple. For example:

   The enemy swoops down on the Lord’s temple like an eagle. (GW) (GW, NET, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). In this context, it is the northern kingdom of Israel that is threatened by Assyria.The identity of the enemy is not stated. However, according to Jewish tradition the eagle refers to the Assyrian army that was about to attack the northern kingdom of Israel. Hubbard (page 145) and Dearman (pages 216–217). The temple of the LORD was in Jerusalem, in the southern kingdom of Judah.

Here are some other ways to translate this verse part:

An eagle flies/circles over Israel, ready to attack

The enemy swoops down on the Lord’s people like an eagle. (NCV)

8:1c

8:1d

8:1c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^1cbecause the people have transgressed My covenant

^1dand rebelled against My law.

In these lines, the LORD gives the reason why an enemy will soon attack Israel.

because: The Hebrew text and many versions introduce this reason with a conjunction. For example:

for they have broken their covenant with me, and have rebelled against my law. (NET)

In some languages, it may be more natural to introduce the reason without a conjunction. For example:

they have violated my covenant (REB)

Use a natural way in your language to introduce the reason.

the people have transgressed My covenant: In this clause, the words the people refer to the people of Israel. In some languages, it may be helpful to make this explicit. For example:

The Israelites have broken my agreement (NCV)

Israel, you broke our agreement (CEV)

My covenant…My law: In this context, the phrase My covenant probably refers to the covenant that the LORD made with Moses on Mount Sinai.McComiskey (page 119). That covenant included the people's promise that they would obey his laws. See Exodus 19:5–8. In Hebrew, the word law also means “instruction” or “teaching.”Macintosh (page 293), Davies (page 197), and TWOT (#910d).

Here are some other ways to translate these clauses:

they have violated my covenant and rebelled against my instruction (REB)

The Israelites have broken my agreement and have turned against my teachings. (NCV)