9:13

Notice the contrast between the parallel parts in bold print:

^13aI have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow.

^13bBut Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter.

There is a strong contrast between Ephraim’s desirable situation in the past and what will happen to their people in the future.

9:13a

I have seen Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow: There is a textual issue here:

1. The Masoretic Text has “Ephraim just as I have seen Tyre [is] planted in pastureland.”According to Davies (page 228), the MT in the first clause is “unintelligible.” Dearman (pages 253–254) says that “there is no consensus…for sorting out either misunderstood terms or errors in the text’s transmission. Andersen and Freedman (page 543) and Stuart (page 152) have similar comments. For example:

   Ephraim, as I have seen, is planted in a pleasant meadow like Tyre! (NASB) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT, NRSV)

2. The LXX has “Ephraim, as I saw, presented their children for prey.” For example: Ephraim’s sons, as I have seen, are destined for a prey (RSV) (GNT, NET, REB, RSV)The NET and the REB apparently follow a different Hebrew source text that has the Hebrew phrase “as lion cubs” instead of the phrase “I have seen Ephraim…children.”

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

As in 9:10, the LORD uses terms from agriculture to describe Israel’s good situation in its early days. The phrase planted in a meadow suggests fertility and growth. This description contrasts with what Ephraim will become later, a nation whose children will be killed.Hubbard (page 166) and Dearman (pages 253–254).

I have seen: This phrase is similar to the phrase “I saw your fathers” in 9:10.

Here is another way to translate it:

I have watched (NLT)

Ephraim, like Tyre, planted in a meadow: This verse part is a simile. The meaning of the simile is affected by the meaning of the Hebrew word that the BSB translates as Tyre. There are two main interpretations:

1. The Hebrew word means the city of Tyre. The simile compares Ephraim to the prosperous Phoenician city of Tyre, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.McComiskey (page 152), Wood (page 206), and Keil (page 126). For example:

   I have seen Israel, like Tyre, given a pleasant place. (NCV) (BSB, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT)

2. The Hebrew word means “palm tree.” The simile compares Ephraim to a palm tree.This meaning is based on an Arabic word with the same consonants. Macintosh (page 372). For example:

   Once I saw Ephraim as a young palm planted in a lovely meadow. (NRSV) (CEV, ESV, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This Hebrew word does not mean “palm tree” anywhere else in the Old Testament.

Ephraim: In this verse, as elsewhere in Hosea, the name Ephraim refers to the nation of Israel. Some versions make Israel explicit here. For example:

If have seen Israel, like Tyre, given a pleasant place. (NCV)

planted in a meadow: This phrase is literally “planted in pastureland.” The word for “pastureland” describes a green meadow that has plenty of water. It is an ideal place for plants to grow.Macintosh (pages 371–372). Here the phrase is used figuratively. It is a metaphor that compares the people of Tyre and Israel to a crop or a garden that is planted in good pastureland. The land provided the people who lived there with opportunities to grow strong and prosperous.Wood (page 206), Keil (page 126), and Macintosh (page 372).

9:13b

But Ephraim will bring out his children for slaughter: In Hebrew, this verse part is more literally “and Ephraim to bring out to one who kills his sons/children.”BART interlinear.

This clause indicates that the children of the people of Israel will be murdered. There are various opinions as to the historical event(s) to which this clause refers. It could refer specifically to the time when the Assyrian army will attack Israel and kill children or it could refer to others who will kill them.McComiskey (page 152) suggests that this statement is metonymy for the Assyrians. Wood (page 206) suggests that this statement connotes frequent murders, civil strife, and also warfare. If possible, translate this statement in a general way that does not indicate who will kill the children.

But: This statement describes a horrible situation that contrasts strongly with the good situation described in 9:13a. Many English versions introduce the contrast with a word such as But. Indicate this contrast in a natural way in your language.

will bring out: In Hebrew, the form of this verb may indicate that the people were forced to bring their children somewhere to be killed.According to Macintosh (page 371), the infinitive construct with lamed expresses obligation, compulsion. He refers to Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar, 114 The Infinitive Construct, Remark 2. Lange (page76) says that this construction = “must lead forth.” Versions that explicitly indicate compulsion include ESV, NJPS, NRSV, and REB. Versions that do not specify compulsion but simply indicate what the people will do include CBSB, EV, GW, KJV, NAB, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT. McComiskey (page 150) uses the wording “will lead out,” but does not comment further. Some versions indicate this explicitly. For example:

must lead out (NRSV)

must bring out (NJPS)

Other versions indicate that the people will bring out their children to be killed. They do not indicate that they are forced to do so. For example:

will bring out (NASB)

will soon bring out (NCV)

You may translate either way.

The Hebrew word for “children” here is masculine plural. This form can refer either to male children or to children in general, including male and female children. In this context of judgment on the entire nation, the word probably refers to all children. Most versions have “children” here.

for slaughter: The form of the Hebrew word that the BSB translates as for slaughter can be translated in several acceptable ways:The Hebrew word form is Qal Participle.

• Translate with a verb that means “to be killed.” For example:

  But the people of Ephraim will bring out their children to be killed (GW)

  But now Israel will bring out her children to be slaughtered. (NLT96)

• Translate with a noun that means “one who kills.” For example:

  so Ephraim will present his children to the slaughterer (NJB)

  but Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer (KJV)

• Translate with a noun that means “the act of killing.” For example:

  But now Israel will bring out her children for slaughter. (NLT)