7:1 The sovereign Lord showed me this: I saw 1 him making locusts just as the crops planted late 2 were beginning to sprout. (The crops planted late sprout after the royal harvest. 3 )
9:14 I will bring back my people, Israel; 4
they will rebuild the cities lying in rubble 5 and settle down. 6
They will plant vineyards and drink the wine they produce; 7
they will grow orchards 8 and eat the fruit they produce. 9
1 tn Heb “behold” or “look.”
2 sn The crops planted late (consisting of vegetables) were planted in late January-early March and sprouted in conjunction with the spring rains of March-April. For a discussion of the ancient Israelite agricultural calendar, see O. Borowski, Agriculture in Iron Age Israel, 31-44.
3 tn Or “the mowings of the king.”
sn This royal harvest may refer to an initial mowing of crops collected as taxes by the royal authorities.
4 tn This line can also be translated “I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel” and is a common idiom (e.g., Deut 30:3; Jer 30:3; Hos 6:11; Zeph 3:20). This rendering is followed by several modern English versions (e.g., NEB, NRSV, NJPS).
5 tn Or “the ruined [or “desolate”] cities.”
6 tn Or “and live [in them].”
7 tn Heb “drink their wine.”
8 tn Or “gardens.”
9 tn Heb “eat their fruit.”