HOS 14:8 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.)

OET (OET-RV) Efrayim, what more do I have to do with idols?
⇔ It’s me who answer and look after him.
⇔ I’m like a flourishing cypress tree—
⇔ your fruit comes from me.”

Key: khaki:verbs.
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 ἐπιστρέψουσι καὶ καθιοῦνται ὑπὸ τὴν σκέπην αὐτοῦ, ζήσονται καὶ μεθυσθήσονται σίτῳ· καὶ ἐξανθήσει ὡς ἄμπελος· μνημόσυνον αὐτοῦ, ὡς οἶνος Λιβάνου
(epistrepsousi kai kathiountai hupo taʸn skepaʸn autou, zaʸsontai kai methusthaʸsontai sitōi; kai exanthaʸsei hōs ampelos; mnaʸmosunon autou, hōs oinos Libanou )

BrTr They shall return, and dwell under his shadow: they shall live and be satisfied with corn, and he shall flower as a vine: his memorial shall be to Ephraim as the wine of Libanus.

ULT O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?
⇔ It is I who answer and look after him.
⇔ I am like a luxuriant cypress;
⇔ from me comes your fruit.”

UST You people of Israel, I will completely stop you from worshiping idols.
⇔ It is I, Yahweh, who will take care of you. No idol can do that.
⇔ I am like a cypress tree that grows and stays fresh the entire year;
⇔ all your good gifts come from me.”

BSB O Ephraim,[fn] what have I to do
⇔ anymore with idols?
⇔ It is I who answer and watch over him.
⇔ I [am] like a flourishing cypress;[fn]
⇔ your fruit comes from Me.

14:8 That is, the northern kingdom of Israel

14:8 Or pine or juniper or fir

OEB ⇔ Ephraim – what have I to do with idols!
⇔ It is I the Lord who respond to him and look after him.
⇔ I am like an evergreen cypress,
⇔ from me is your fruit found.

WEBBE Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols?
⇔ I answer, and will take care of him.
⇔ I am like a green cypress tree;
⇔ from me your fruit is found.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET O Ephraim, I do not want to have anything to do with idols anymore!
⇔ I will answer him and care for him.
⇔ I am like a luxuriant cypress tree;
⇔ your fruitfulness comes from me!

LSV O Ephraim, what have I anymore to do with idols? I have answered, and I look after him: I [am] as a green fir-tree,
Your fruit is found from Me.

FBV Ephraim, how much more do I have to warn you about idols?[fn] I have answered and now I am watching.[fn] I am like a tree that is evergreen; your fruit is found in me.

14:8 In other words, God has had enough of the subject.

14:8 To see the people's response.

T4T You people of Israel, do not [RHQ] have anything more to do with idols;
⇔ if you get rid of your idols, I will answer your prayers and take care of you.
⇔ I am like [MET] a strong/green pine tree,
⇔ and your blessings come from me.”

LEB • O Ephraim, what have I to do[fn] with idols? I myself have answered and looked after you.[fn]
• I am like a luxuriant cypress;
• your fruit[fn] comes from me.

14:1 Literally “what for me”

14:1 Hebrew “him”

14:1 Or “your faithfulness”

BBE As for Ephraim, what has he to do with false gods any longer? I have given an answer and I will keep watch over him; I am like a branching fir-tree, from me comes your fruit.

Moff ⇔ What more has Ephraim to do with idols?
⇔ ’Twas I who humbled him,
⇔ ’tis I who will protect him.
⇔ I am like a cypress evergreen:
⇔ his welfare ever comes from me.

JPS (14-9) Ephraim shall say: 'What have I to do any more with idols?' As for Me, I respond and look on him; I am like a leafy cypress-tree; from Me is thy fruit found.

ASV Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have answered, and will regard him: I am like a green fir-tree; from me is thy fruit found.

DRA They shall be converted that sit under his shadow: they shall live upon wheat, and they shall blossom as a vine: his memorial shall be as the wine of Libanus.

YLT O Ephraim, what to Me any more with idols? I — I afflicted, and I cause him to sing: 'I [am] as a green fir-tree,' From Me is thy fruit found.

Drby Ephraim [shall say], What have I to do any more with idols? (I answer [him], and I will observe him.) I am like a green fir-tree. — From me is thy fruit found.

RV Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have answered, and will regard him: I am like a green fir tree; from me is thy fruit found.
(Ephraim shall say, What have I to do anymore with idols? I have answered, and will regard him: I am like a green fir tree; from me is thy/your fruit found. )

SLT Ephraim: What to me yet to images? I humbled, and I will regard him: I as the green cypress From me thy fruit was found.

Wbstr Ephraim shall say , What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him , and observed him: I am like a green fir-tree. From me is thy fruit found.

KJB-1769 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
(Ephraim shall say, What have I to do anymore with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy/your fruit found. )

KJB-1611 Ephraim shall say, What haue I to doe any more with idoles? I haue heard him, and obserued him: I am like a greene firre tree, from me is thy fruite found.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps Ephraim shall say what haue I to do with idols any more? I haue hearde him, and loked vpon him, I am like a greene firre tree, vpon me is thy fruite founde.
(Ephraim shall say what have I to do with idols anymore? I have heard him, and looked upon him, I am like a green fir tree, upon me is thy/your fruit found.)

Gnva They that dwel vnder his shadow, shall returne: they shall reuiue as the corne, and florish as the vine: the sent thereof shalbe as the wine of Lebanon.
(They that dwell under his shadow, shall return: they shall revive as the corn, and flourish as the vine: the sent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. )

Cvdl O Ephraim, what haue I to do with Idols eny more? I wil graciously heare him, & lede him forth. I wil be vnto the as a grene Fyrre tre, vpon me shalt thou fynde thy frute.
(Oh Ephraim, what have I to do with Idols any more? I will graciously hear him, and lead him forth. I will be unto thee/you as a green Fir tree, upon me shalt/shall thou/you find thy/your fruit.)

Wycl Thei schulen be conuertid, and sitte in the schadewe of hym; thei schulen lyue bi wheete, and schulen buriowne as a vyne. The memorial therof schal be as the wyne of Liban.
(They should be converted, and sit in the shadow of him; they should live by wheat, and should buriowne as a vine. The memorial thereof shall be as the wine of Liban.)

Luth Und sollen wieder unter seinem Schatten sitzen. Von Korn sollen sie sich nähren und blühen wie ein Weinstock; sein Gedächtnis soll sein wie der Wein am Libanon.
(And should again under his shadow/shade sit. From grain should they/she/them itself/yourself/themselves nourish/feed and bloom(v) as/like a vine; be memory should be as/like the/of_the wine in/at/on_the Lebanon.)

ClVg Convertentur sedentes in umbra ejus; vivent tritico, et germinabunt quasi vinea; memoriale ejus sicut vinum Libani.
(Turn_aroundntur sittings in/into/on shadow his; they_will_live tritico, and they_will_germinate as_if vineyard; memorial his like wine Libani. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 14:4–8: The LORD promises to forgive and restore the Israelites

The LORD is the speaker in this section. In Hosea 14:4–7, the LORD gives his response to the people’s prayer of repentance in the form of a poem. In 14:8, he reminds the people that he will not tolerate idols. He also promises to care for the people and bless them. Here are other examples of section headings:

The Lord Promises to Forgive (CEV)

The Lord Promises New Life for Israel (NJB)

Paragraph 14:8

This paragraph summarizes some major themes of the book of Hosea:

The LORD is Israel’s true God and will not tolerate the worship of idols.
The LORD is the one who takes care of Israel.
The LORD is the source of Israel’s blessings.

14:8a

O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols?

¶ “O Ephraim, what have I ever had to do with idols?
¶ “People of Israel, I have nothing in common with idols. You^(plur) should also stay away from them.

O Ephraim, what have I to do anymore with idols?: There are textual issues that have to do with the speaker in this rhetorical question:

The Masoretic Text has “Ephraim what to me again to idols.” In this question to Ephraim, the LORD expresses his own attitude toward idols.Option (1) is supported by Andersen and Freedman, Dearman, McComiskey, Hubbard, Keil, Garrett, and Carroll. Carroll (page 303) argues that suggested changes from first to third person, as in the NJB or NJPS, are “unconvincing” for the reason that Yahweh is the speaker throughout the section. For example:
O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? (NRSV) (BSB, ESV, NASB, NET, NIV, NRSV)
Some scholars think that the original words were “Ephraim what to you again to idols.” This question functions as a command that the LORD gives to Ephraim/Israel. He tells Ephraim to avoid idols.Patterson and Hill (pages 87–88) quote the NLT in support of option (2). For example:
O Israel, stay away from idols! (NLT) (CEV, NCV, NLT)
The LXX has “As for Ephraim—what is there any longer between him and idols?”Here the noun “Ephraim” is understood to be a casus pendens. See Stuart (pages 216–217). As a casus pendens, the noun “Ephraim” is a fronted subject. It is placed outside the following clause and resumed within the clause by the pronoun “him.” The LXX has “to him” where the MT has “to me.” This question functions as indirect speech. The LORD states that Ephraim will avoid idols.Stuart and Davies. Davies (page 308) says that the LXX rendering yields a stronger contrast with the next line and improves the sense. For example:
The people of Ephraim will have nothing more to do with idols. (GW) (GNT, GW, NJB, REB)
The Peshitta has “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do again/any more with idols?’” In this question, Ephraim expresses his own attitude toward idols.Macintosh (pages 576–577) thinks that the question expresses Ephraim’s attitude. “What need more have I to do with idols?” For example:
Ephraim [shall say]: “What more have I to do with idols? (NJPS) (KJV, NJPS)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with a majority of versions and commentaries. It makes good sense and does not require changes to the MT.

This clause is a rhetorical question that expects a negative answer. What do I have in common with idols anymore? Nothing! Since the LORD expresses this attitude to Ephraim, it clearly implies that Ephraim also should have nothing to do with idols.

The rhetorical question includes a Hebrew word that the BSB translates as anymore. In this expression, the Hebrew word means “more” or “further.”DCH (page 291) 2. Expressing addition “…more, further.” A literal translation of this word may incorrectly imply that the LORD had something in common with idols in the past but he will have nothing to do with them in the future.Garrett (pages 278–279) and McComiskey (page 236). However, the LORD never had anything in common with idols.

Here are some ways to avoid the wrong meaning and to translate the rhetorical question. Each bullet gives an example of a question and a statement.

Make explicit that he had nothing in common with idols in the past. The word “ever” or “never” implies that the same is true in the present and will be true in the future. For example:
Ephraim, what have I ever had to do with idols?The suggestion is from McComiskey (page 236).
O Ephraim, I have never had anything in common with idols!
Make explicit that he has nothing in common with idols. Leave it implied that the same was true in the past and will be true in the future. For example:
O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols? (NRSV)
Ephraim, I have nothing to do with idols.

Use a natural way in your language to translate this rhetorical question.

14:8b

It is I who answer and watch over him.

I am the one who answers and takes care of him/Israel.
I alone answer your^(plur) prayers and protect you.

It is I who answer and watch over him: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “I I [will] answer and I [will] watch over him.” In Hebrew, the pronoun I has emphasis.McComiskey (page 235). The BSB indicates this with It is I. Indicate this emphasis on the LORD in a natural way in your language.

The verbs in this clause use a form that indicates certainty.The verbs are perfect tense/aspect forms. Here it is probably to be understood as prophetic perfect. Macintosh (578) and the BART interlinear. Prophetic perfect is translated sometimes with present tense and often with future tense, depending on context. See Seow (page 149) who cites two examples: “We are finished! We are lost! (Num 17:27) or “I shall abandon you” (2 Chron 12:5). Many versions translate this clause with present tense. Some versions have future tense. For example:

It is I who answer and look after you. (NRSV)

I will answer their prayers and take care of them (GNT)

Translate this clause to indicate certainty in a natural way in your language.

answer: BDB (#6030). The BSB translates this word as “respond” in 2:21. This word means answer or “respond.” This clause does not say whom the LORD answers. However, this same clause also says “watch over him.” So some versions supply the same pronoun here. For example:

I will answer him and care for him (NET)

The word answer probably implies a response to the needs or the prayers of his people.McComiskey (page 235) suggests that the word describes God’s response to the needs of his people. Some versions make this implication explicit. For example:

I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.

watch over him: In this clause, the Hebrew word that the BSB translates as watch over him means “watchful care” or “protecting.”BDB (#7788) and TWOT (#2354). See also McComiskey (page 236), Keil (page 108) and Macintosh (page 578).

14:8c

I am like a flourishing cypress;

I am like a luxuriant cypress/pine tree.
I am like a flourishing/healthy, leafy tree,

I am like a flourishing cypress: This clause is a simile that compares the LORDThe pronoun “I” here refers to the LORD. Some commentators observe that this is the only occurrence in the Old Testament in which the LORD is compared to a tree. Dearman (pages 343–344) suggests that even though this simile is unique, it fits the metaphorical style of Hosea and also fits the context well. to a tree. In this comparison the tree may represent one or more of the following characteristics:

life“The tree of life.” Keil (page 108) and Stuart (pages 216–217).
fertilityGarrett (pages 278–279.
productivityMcComiskey (page 236).
shelterAndersen and Freedman (page 647) and Keil (page 108).

flourishing: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as flourishing means “leafy” or “luxuriant.”HALOT (electronic edition, page 1269). Also Andersen and Freedman (page 647), Macintosh (page 579) and Davies (page 308). Here are some other ways to translate this word:

luxuriant (NET)

evergreen (NRSV)

green (NIV)

cypress: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as cypress can mean “fir,” “cypress,” “juniper,” or “pine.”TWOT (#289a). We cannot know which of these trees the word means here. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

I am like a green pine tree (NIV)

I am that glorious tree (CEV)

14:8d

your fruit comes from Me.

It is from me that your fruit comes.”
the source of all your blessings.”

your fruit comes from Me: In Hebrew, this clause is more literally “from me your fruit is found.” The word order gives emphasis to the phrase from Me.Hosea may give this emphasis to remind the people that the LORD, not Baal, is the source of true fruit. See Hubbard (page 233) and Stuart (pages 216–217). For example:

from me comes your fruit. (RSV)

It is from me that your fruit comes.

Indicate this emphasis on the LORD in a natural way in your language.

fruit: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as fruit can mean the fruit of trees or vines. When it refers to people it can mean offspring, or the result of actions.TWOT (#1809). Here the word may include all these meanings.Davies (page 308) and Hubbard (page 233). Some versions say this in another way. For example:

I am the source of all their blessings. (GNT)

General Comment on 14:8b–d

In Hebrew, 14:8b–d refers to Ephraim using third person “him” and second person “your.” In some languages, it is more natural to make the forms more consistent throughout 8b–d. For example:

^8bI will answer your prayers and take care of you. ^8cI am that glorious tree, ^8dthe source of your fruit. (CEV)

^8bI will answer their prayers and take care of them. ^8cLike an evergreen tree I will shelter them; ^8dI am the source of all their blessings.” (GNT)

Translate these word forms in a natural way in your language.