OET interlinear ZEC 10:2

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

כִּ֧י

that/for/because/then/when

The word For introduces the reason Zechariah gives for the command to ask Yahweh for rain rather than trusting in idols and diviners. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that what follows is a reason.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

הַ⁠תְּרָפִ֣ים דִּבְּרוּ אָ֗וֶן

(Some words not found in UHB: that/for/because/then/when the,teraphim speak deceit and,the,diviners see lie and,the_dreams_of of_(the),worthlessness tell Abel they,comfort on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in yes/correct/thus/so wander like flock_of_sheep/goats afflicted that/for/because/then/when not shepherd )

Since household idols cannot speak, this represents the false messengers that claim to speak for the household idols. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [the false prophets who profess to speak for your dead household idols speak iniquity]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

דִּבְּרוּ אָ֗וֶן

speak deceit

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of iniquity, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [speak wicked things]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

וַֽ⁠חֲלֹמוֹת֙ הַ⁠שָּׁ֣וא יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ

and,the_dreams_of of_(the),worthlessness tell

Zechariah is using the possessive form to describe dreams that are characterized by the emptiness. If a speaker of your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could express this idea in another way. Alternate translation: [and they claim to have visions from their gods but they are just making things up]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

נָסְע֣וּ כְמוֹ צֹ֔אן יַעֲנ֖וּ כִּֽי אֵ֥ין רֹעֶֽה

wander like flock_of_sheep/goats afflicted that/for/because/then/when not shepherd

The point of this comparison is that just as a flock with no shepherd wanders and suffers, so do the people who rely on idols and diviners. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: [they wander and suffer just as a flock wanders and suffers when there is no shepherd to guide them]

Note 6 topic: writing-pronouns

נָסְע֣וּ כְמוֹ צֹ֔אן

wander like flock_of_sheep/goats

The pronoun they refers to the people, not to the idols or the diviners just mentioned. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: [the people journey like a flock]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

הֶ֖בֶל

Abel

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of vanity, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [worthlessly]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

אֵ֥ין רֹעֶֽה

not shepherd

Here Zechariah is speaking as if a leader who guides and protects people were a shepherd. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [there is no leader to guide and protect them]