8:4 They enthroned kings without my consent! 1
They appointed princes without my approval! 2
They made idols out of their silver and gold,
but they will be destroyed! 3
9:11 Ephraim will be like a bird;
what they value 4 will fly away.
They will not bear children –
they will not enjoy pregnancy –
they will not even conceive! 5
1 tn Heb “but without me”; NCV “without asking my permission”; CEV “without consulting me.”
2 tn Heb “but I did not know”; NRSV “but without my knowledge.”
3 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.
4 tn Heb “their glory” (so NASB); TEV “Israel’s greateness.”
5 tn Heb “no childbearing, no pregnancy, no conception.” The preposition מִן (min) prefixed to the three parallel nouns functions in a privative sense, indicating deprivation (BDB 583 s.v. מִן 7).