Hosea 5:3

5:3 I know Ephraim all too well; ¹ 

the evil of ²  Israel is not hidden from me.

For you have engaged in prostitution, O Ephraim;

Israel has defiled itself. ³ 

Hosea 8:4

The Political and Cultic Sin of Israel

8:4 They enthroned kings without my consent! ⁴ 

They appointed princes without my approval! ⁵ 

They made idols out of their silver and gold,

but they will be destroyed! ⁶ 

[5:3]  ¹ tn The phrase “all too well” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity and stylistic reasons.

[5:3]  ² tn The phrase “the evil of” does not appear in the Hebrew text here, but is implied by the metonymical (cause-effect) use of the term “Israel.” It is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity. Cf. NCV “what they have done is not hidden from me.”

[5:3]  ³ tn Or “Israel has become corrupt”; NCV “has made itself unclean”; TEV “are unfit to worship me.”

[8:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “but without me”; NCV “without asking my permission”; CEV “without consulting me.”

[8:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “but I did not know”; NRSV “but without my knowledge.”

[8:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “in order to be cut off.” The text gives the impression that they made the idols for this purpose, but the language is ironic and sarcastic, bringing out the futility of their efforts. One could paraphrase, “they made idols…but only so that they might be destroyed.” Though they had other plans for the idols, God’s judgment would bring their intentions to naught.