5:8a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^8aThen the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,

^8b in the midst of many peoples,

These lines introduce the second part of the prophecy of 5:7–9. They are very similar to 5:7a, which introduces the first part of the prophecy. A difference is that the phrase “among the nations” does not occur in 5:7a.

5:8a

Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations: The meaning of the phrase among the nations is very similar to the parallel phrase “in the midst of many peoples.”

Most versions translate this phrase as among the nations. However, the Hebrew word for nations often refers to pagan/gentile peoples, in contrast to the people of Israel.HALOT (electronic edition, page 183). The context indicates that pagans/gentiles is the referent here. Some versions make that referent explicit. For example:

And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles (KJV)

5:8b

in the midst of many peoples: This phrase is the same as in 5:7a. See the note on this phrase in 5:7a for more information.

5:8c–d

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^8c like a lion among the beasts of the forest,

^8d like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

There is an ellipsis (a deliberately omitted phrase) in 5:8c–d. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 5:8a. For example:

^8d they will be like a lion among the beasts of the forest,

^8d they will be like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

These parallel lines are similes that compare the remnant of Jacob to a lion.

Here are two ways that the remnant is like a lion:

1. Lions cause great fear in the animals they attack.This similarity is suggested by JFB (page 693). Likewise, the remnant will cause great fear in the people they attack.

2. Lions attack with great force. The animals they attack cannot escape from them.EBC (page 534) suggests that the comparison is to the relentless force with which a lion captures its prey such that no one can rescue it/them. Similarly, NICOT (pages 354–355) suggests the comparison indicates the irresistible conquest of all opposition. Likewise, the remnant will attack with great force. The people they attack will not escape from them.

lion…young lion: In Hebrew, the word lion is a general term that usually refers to an adult lion. The word that many versions translate as young lion has a very similar meaning. In this context, these parallel words for lion are used for poetic effect. The age of the lion is not important.TWOT #1025a. Here is another way to translate these two words:

lion…a fierce lion (NJB)

If lions are not known in your language area, it is suggested that you provide a picture or describe it in a footnote.

among the beasts of the forest…among flocks of sheep: There are two main interpretations of these parallel phrases:A third interpretation, proposed by A&F (page 486), is that the phrase “among animals of a forest” refers to domesticated animals that graze in the woodlands. This interpretation is not included in the Notes, because no versions clearly follow it.

1. The phrase among the beasts of the forest implies that the lion attacks and kills forest animals. The parallel phrase among flocks of sheep implies that the lion also attacks and kills flocks of sheep/goats. For example:

   Those who are left among the nations will be like a lion hunting for food in a forest or a pasture (GNT) (GW, ESV, KJV, NAB, NASB, BSB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJPS, NLT, NRSV, REB, GNT)This is a straightforward, natural way to understand the syntax and punctuation in these versions.

2. The phrase among the beasts of the forest implies that the lion is a fierce, wild animal. It does not necessarily imply that the lion attacks and kills forest animals. The phrase among flocks of sheep implies that the lion attacks and kills flocks of sheep/goats.According TOTC (page 203), the similes compare “the remnant among the rest of the nations to a fierce and fearsome lion (the NIV’s ‘young lion’ is doubtful) wreaking a terrible carnage among sheep.” For example:

   …they will attack as though they were fierce lions pouncing on sheep. (CEV) (CEV, NLT96, NJB)The CEV and the NLT96 may follow this interpretation. Neither has the word “forest.” This omission may indicate that they regard the reference to the forest here only to imply that the lion is strong or fierce (i.e. wild). The NJB’s comma placement may indicate that the description of the lion’s attack applies only to an attack on the flocks of sheep.

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It best fits the parallelism, which depicts two types of prey, wild animals and domesticated animals. These parallel phrases may be a figure of speech. In this figure of speech, the two types of prey indicate all animals. Therefore, the similes imply that the remnant will conquer all surrounding nations, whether they are large and powerful or small and weak.Waltke 2007 (pages 310–312).

Here are some ways to translate the parallel lines:

• Translate 5:8c–d as a single sentence. The parallel lines describe the lion. The remainder of the verse describes what the lion does. For example:

  They will be like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a strong young lion among flocks of sheep and goats, pouncing and tearing as they go with no rescuer in sight. (NLT)

• Translate 5:8c–d as two sentences. The parallel lines about the lion are in one sentence. The remainder of the verse is a separate sentence that refers back to the lion. For example:

  They will be like a lion among animals in the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep. When a lion hunts, it tramples its victims and tears them to pieces and there is no one to rescue them. (GW)

• Combine and/or reorder the parallel lines. Translate the remainder of 5:8c–d as a separate clause that refers back to the lion. For example:

  Those who are left among the nations will be like a lion hunting for food in a forest or a pasture: it gets in among the sheep, pounces on them, and tears them to pieces—and there is no hope of rescue. (GNT)

5:8c

like a lion among the beasts of the forest: See the notes above for the overall meaning of this verse part.

beasts of the forest: This phrase refers to wild animals that live and hide in forests. These animals are in contrast to domesticated flocks in the parallel line (5:8d).

forest: In Hebrew, this word can also refer to a thicket.TWOT #888a and BDB #3264 (page 420).

5:8d

like a young lion among flocks of sheep: See the notes for 8:c–d above for the overall meaning of this verse part.

flocks of sheep: In Hebrew, the word for flocks means “herds” or “groups.” The word for sheep can refer to either sheep, goats, or cattle. However, in this phrase it probably refers to sheep.BDB #5739 (page 727). The phrase flocks of sheep may be a part of speech (synecdoche) that represents domesticated animals in contrast to wild animals.Waltke 2007 (pages 310–312).

5:8e

which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them: This is a conditional clause that is more literally “which if it has passed through and it will trample and it will tear and there is not a deliverer.” This clause describes the actions of the lion and their result.

which tramples and tears as it passes through: This clause part describes how the lion hunts and kills its prey.

which…: Many other versions introduce the condition with the word “when” or “if”The technical term for the word “if” or “when” is the “protasis.” placed after the which at the beginning of 5:8e.

In some languages, it may be more natural to translate 5:8e without using a conditional clause, as the BSB does. For example:

like a fierce lion among flocks of sheep trampling as he goes, mangling his prey which no one takes from him (NJB)

it gets in among the sheep, pounces on them, and tears them to pieces—and there is no hope of rescue (GNT)

tramples: In Hebrew, this word means “trample with one’s feet” or “crush to pieces.”HALOT (electronic edition, page 1245).

Here are some other ways to translate it:

pounces on them (GNT)

jumps on them (NCV)

tears: In Hebrew, this word means “tear” or “rend.” It describes the action of capturing an animal, tearing its flesh, and eating it.TWOT #827.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

mangles (NIV)

rips his prey (NET)

as it passes through: In Hebrew, this word means “travel or pass through a place.”BDB #5674 (page 717).

Here are some other ways to translate it:

When a lion hunts (GW)

As it goes (NCV)

it gets in among the sheep (GNT)

with no one to rescue them: This phrase is the result in this conditional clause.The technical term for the result is the “apodosis.” It is grammatically possible to understand one of the other preceding phrases as the apodosis. However, Waltke 2007 (pages 310–312) offers convincing reasons from the Hebrew syntax and accents that this phrase, “then there is not a deliverer,” is the apodosis. When the lion attacks its prey, then no one is able to rescue it from the lion.

Here are some other ways to translate it:

and there is no one to stop it (NET)

and there is no hope of rescue (GNT)