HOS 11:3 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Καὶ ἐγὼ συνεπόδισα τὸν Ἐφραὶμ, ἀνέλαβον αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὸν βραχίονά μου, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν ὅτι ἴαμαι αὐτούς.
(Kai egō sunepodisa ton Efraim, anelabon auton epi ton braⱪiona mou, kai ouk egnōsan hoti iamai autous. )

BrTr Yet I bound the feet of Ephraim, I took him on my arm; but they knew not that I healed them.

ULT Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk.
⇔ I took them by their arms,
⇔ but they did not know that I healed them.

UST But it was I who taught them to do everything good, as a father teaches his son to walk.
⇔ I was like a father, holding them by their little arms.
⇔ But they did not understand that I was the one who was taking care of them.

11:3 That is, the northern kingdom of Israel; also in verses 8, 9, and 12

OEB ⇔ Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
⇔ taking them up in my arms,
⇔ but they did not know that I healed them.

WEBBE Yet I taught Ephraim to walk.
⇔ I took them by their arms,
⇔ but they didn’t know that I healed them.

WMBB (Same as above)

MSG ^(1-9)“When Israel was only a child, I loved him.
  I called out, ‘My son!’—called him out of Egypt.
But when others called him,
  he ran off and left me.
He worshiped the popular sex gods,
  he played at religion with toy gods.
Still, I stuck with him. I led Ephraim.
  I rescued him from human bondage,
But he never acknowledged my help,
  never admitted that I was the one pulling his wagon,
That I lifted him, like a baby, to my cheek,
  that I bent down to feed him.
Now he wants to go back to Egypt or go over to Assyria—
  anything but return to me!
That’s why his cities are unsafe—the murder rate skyrockets
  and every plan to improve things falls to pieces.
My people are hell-bent on leaving me.
  They pray to god Baal for help.
  He doesn’t lift a finger to help them.
But how can I give up on you, Ephraim?
  How can I turn you loose, Israel?
How can I leave you to be ruined like Admah,
  devastated like luckless Zeboim?
I can’t bear to even think such thoughts.
  My insides churn in protest.
And so I’m not going to act on my anger.
  I’m not going to destroy Ephraim.
And why? Because I am God and not a human.
  I’m The Holy One and I’m here—in your very midst.

NET Yet it was I who led Ephraim,
⇔ I took them by the arm;
⇔ but they did not acknowledge
⇔ that I had healed them.

LSV And I have caused Ephraim to go on foot,
Taking them by their arms,
And they have not known that I strengthened them.

FBV I myself taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the hand,[fn] but they didn't realize I was the one who healed them.[fn]

11:3 Literally, “arm.”

11:3 In the context of the Exodus see Exodus 15:26.

T4T The people of Israel were like a little boy [MET],
⇔ and it was as though it was I who taught them to walk,
⇔ holding them by their hands.
⇔ But they did not realize that it was I who was taking care of them.

LEB • And I myself taught Ephraim to walk; I took them[fn] in my[fn] arms,
• but they did not know that I healed them.

11:? Hebrew uncertain

11:? Hebrew “his”

BBE But I was guiding Ephraim's footsteps; I took them up in my arms, but they were not conscious that I was ready to make them well.

Moff yet I taught Ephraim to walk,
⇔ holding them in my arms;

JPS And I, I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

ASV Yet I taught Ephraim to walk; I took them on my arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

DRA And I was like a foster father to Ephraim, I carried them in my arms: and they knew not that I healed them.

YLT And I have caused Ephraim to go on foot, Taking them by their arms, And they have not known that I strengthened them.

Drby And I it was that taught Ephraim to walk, — He took them upon his arms, — but they knew not that I healed them.

RV Yet I taught Ephraim to go; I took them on my arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

SLT And I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; and they knew not that I healed them.

Wbstr I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

KJB-1769 I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by their arms; but they knew not that I healed them.

KJB-1611 I taught Ephraim also to goe, taking them by their armes: but they knew not that I healed them.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps I gaue to Ephraim one to leade him, who shoulde beare him in his armes: but they knew not that I healed them.
(I gave to Ephraim one to lead him, who should bear him in his arms: but they knew not that I healed them.)

Gnva I ledde Ephraim also, as one shoulde beare them in his armes: but they knewe not that I healed them.
(I led Ephraim also, as one should bear them in his arms: but they knew not that I healed them. )

Cvdl I lerned Ephraim to go, and bare them in myne armes, but they regarded not me, that wolde haue helped them.
(I learned/learnt Ephraim to go, and bare them in mine arms, but they regarded not me, that would have helped them.)

Wycl And Y as a nursche of Effraym bare hem in myn armes, and thei wisten not, that Y kepte hem.
(And I as a nursche of Ephraim bare hem in mine arms, and they knewn not, that I kept hem.)

Luth Ich nahm Ephraim bei seinen Armen und leitete ihn; aber sie merkten‘s nicht, wie ich ihnen half.
(I took Ephraim at/in his poor_(one) and directed/guided him/it; but they/she/them noticed_it not, as/like I to_them half.)

ClVg Et ego quasi nutritius Ephraim: portabam eos in brachiis meis, et nescierunt quod curarem eos.
(And I as_if nutritius Ephraim: gate/doorbam them in/into/on arms(n)s mine, and they_did_not_know that to_take_care_ofm them. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 11:1–11 The LORD’s love for his people

This section refers back to Israel’s history, as do Section 9:10–17 and Section 10:1–8. In all three sections, the LORD describes the joyful beginning of his relationship with the people of Israel and their response of betrayal against him. The earlier sections focus more on the LORD’s punishment. The people will be taken into exile. This section focuses more on his love.

The LORD speaks of his love for Israel in the past (11:1–4), warns them of their future exile and destruction (11:5–7), and assures them that in the future he will turn from his anger and show them compassion. Because of his love for them, he promises that he will bring the people back to the land of Israel (11:8–11).

Here are some other examples of section headings:

The Lord’s Love for Israel (ESV)

Israel Is Like a Bad Son (GW)

Throughout this section, the LORD is the speaker. When he refers to himself, he uses first person pronouns (“I/me/my”) except for verse 10, which has “Yahweh” and “he.” When he refers to the people or nation of Israel, he uses “Ephraim,” “they/them,” or “he/it.” The only exceptions are in 11:8–9. There the LORD uses the pronoun “you(sg)” to speak directly to Ephraim and to Judah.

Paragraph 11:1–4

In this paragraph, the LORD describes his love and care for the nation of Israel during its early days.

11:3a–b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^3aIt was I who taught Ephraim to walk,

^3b taking them in My arms,

These lines are metaphors that compare two things:

They compare the LORD to a father who loves and nurtures his child.
They compare Ephraim/Israel to his child.

11:3a

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,

I myself taught my child Ephraim/Israel to walk.
I was the one who guided the people of Israel like a father teaches his child to walk.

It was I who taught Ephraim to walk: In this clause, the LORD compares himself to a parent who teaches his child to walk.Andersen and Freedman (page 579).

It was I who: The Hebrew uses a pronoun for I that indicates emphasis. Some English versions express this emphasis by using special wording. For example:

I myself taught (NLT)

I was the one who taught (GW)

Other languages may be able to use an emphatic pronoun. You should express this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.

Ephraim: In this clause, as elsewhere in Hosea, the name Ephraim refers to Israel. For example:

It was I who taught Israel to walk (NCV)

taught…to walk: This metaphor probably refers to the LORD’s guidance and care of young Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.Dearman (pages 281–282), Andersen and Freedman (page 579).

Here are some ways to translate this metaphor:

Use a metaphor. For example:
I myself taught Ephraim to walk (NJB)
Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
It was I who guided Israel like a father teaches his child to walk.
Translate the meaning without a figure of speech. For example:
Yet it was I who led Ephraim (NET)

11:3b

taking them in My arms,

I picked my people up in my arms.
I picked them up and carried them in my arms.

taking them in My arms: In the Masoretic Text, the first part of this phrase is more literally “he took them.” The LXX and Peshitta have “I…took him/them.” The last part of this phrase in the MT is literally “on his arms.” The LXX and Peshitta have “on my arm(s).”

The Notes will not discuss these and other textual issues separately, but will combine them with interpretation issues. The Notes will focus on two main ways to interpret the phrase as a whole:

This phrase means that the LORD took his child Ephraim up in his arms. For example:
I took my people up in my arms (GNT) (BSB, ESV,The ESV has been listed here because “took up by their arms” would normally be interpreted as picking a child up. This wording is unusual, however, because a parent who picks up a child does so by holding him under the arms, not by the arms. GNT, NAB, NASB, NJPS, NRSV, REB)
This phrase means that the LORD took his child Ephraim by the arm(s). For example:
I myself took them by the arm (NJB) (CEV, GW, KJV, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NLT)

You may follow either interpretation. They are supported by equal numbers of commentaries.Commentaries that support interpretation (1) include Keil, McComiskey, Davies, and Macintosh. Commentaries that support interpretation (2) include Stuart, Garrett, Hubbard, and Wood. The Display will follow interpretation (1). This interpretation is supported by the LXX and Peshitta. It is also supported by a similar description of the LORD carrying the Israelites through the wilderness like a child (Deuteronomy 1:31).

Interpretation (2) better fits the preceding context of a father teaching his child to walk, holding him by the arms as he guides him in the right direction.This understanding is supported by the lack of the conjunction “and” in the Hebrew text between 3a and 3b. The lack of “and” suggests that the second clause is closely connected to the first. See Hubbard (page 188). It is also supported by the similar description of the LORD guiding the Israelites through the wilderness by means of the cloud and fire (Exodus 40:36–38).

In interpretation (1), the LORD compares himself to a father who lifts his child to hold or carry him in his arms. This comparison may be a further description of what a father does in the overall process of teaching his child to walk. For example, when the child stumbles or grows weary, his father picks him up to give him comfort and encouragement.See Macintosh (page 444) and Pusey (page 111).

11:3c

but they never realized that it was I who healed them.

But they would not admit that I was the one who had healed them. (CEV)
But in spite of this, they refused to acknowledge that it was I who repeatedly healed them when they were sick/wounded and took care of them in other ways.

but: This clause contrasts with the previous one. Most versions use a word such as but or “yet” to indicate this contrast. Indicate this contrast in a natural way in your language.

they never realized that it was I who healed them: The LORD cared for the people of Israel as a father cares for his child. As a result, the people should have been grateful. However, they were not.

they never realized: In Hebrew, this phrase is more literally “they did not know.” There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew verb “know” here:

It means that they did not acknowledge or admit that the LORD was the one who healed them. For example:
But they would not admit that I was the one who had healed them. (CEV) (CEV, GNT, NET, NJPS)
It means that they did not know or realize that the LORD was the one who had healed them. For example:
but they did not know that I healed them (NRSV) (BSB, ESV, GW, KJV, NAB, NASB, NCV, NIV, NJB, NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with a slight majority of commentaries.Commentaries in favor of “did not acknowledge/admit” include Hubbard, Macintosh, Andersen and Freedman, Pusey, and Calvin. Hubbard (page 188) says that “the truth should have been obvious.” Andersen & Freedman (page 581) says, “The people are blamed for rejecting knowledge gained by experience of Yahweh’s healing, not for mere ignorance.” Commentaries in favor of “did not know/realize” include Davies, Garrett, McComiskey, and Wood. Wood (page 212) says that “they were blind to his healing purpose.” Garrett (page 223–224) says they “quickly forgot how the Lord repeatedly restored health.” At this time in Israel’s history, the LORD was leading his people through the desert, and Moses told them that it was the LORD who healed them (Exodus 15:26). So the people must have realized this.Much later, after they were settled in the land of Canaan, it is possible that everyone had forgotten these stories. See Joshua 24:31.

These words are similar to the phrase “she does not acknowledge” in 2:8a. See the comment there. In both places, the meaning is probably that the people were aware of the truth but refused to acknowledge it.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

they have ignored My healing care. (NJPS)

They would not admit that I was the one who had healed them. (CEV)

healed: This word probably refers here to more than just physical healing. In this context, it refers to the many ways that the LORD helped Israel, especially in times of trouble in the wilderness of Sinai.The wider meaning of “heal” is mentioned by Keil (page 90), Dearman (page 282), Hubbard (page 188), and Davies.

However, the word definitely includes the idea of physical healing, and most of the versions used in TN use a form of that word. In Exodus 15:26, the LORD promised that if the people obeyed him, he would keep them from getting any of the diseases that he had caused the Egyptians to suffer, “For I am the LORD who heals you” (BSB). And in Numbers 21:6–10, the LORD directed Moses to provide a bronze snake on a pole. All those who had been bitten by poisonous snakes and would have died were miraculously healed when they looked at the snake.

Some versions translate the word healed here as “cared for” or “took care of.” For example:

I took care of them (GNT)

If you translate the term in a similar way, it is recommended that you also use a term in your language that refers to physical healing.In the four other references in Hosea where a form of the Hebrew for “heal” occurs, it refers to physical healing or treating of wounds in 5:13 and 6:1 and to figurative healing of Israel from sin in 7:1 and 14:4. It does not occur elsewhere in Hosea in the generic sense of “take care of.” For example:

but they have ignored my healing care (NJPS)

but they refused to admit that it was I who healed them and cared for them.