9:6 Look! 1 Even if 2 they flee from the destruction,
Egypt will take hold 3 of them,
and Memphis will bury them.
The weeds will inherit the silver they treasure 4 –
thorn bushes will occupy their homes. 5
12:14 But Ephraim bitterly 6 provoked him to anger;
so he will hold him accountable for the blood he has shed, 7
his Lord 8 will repay him for the contempt he has shown. 9
1 tn The deictic particle הִנֵּה (hinneh, “Behold!”) is used frequently in prophetic announcements, introducing a solemn or important declaration, particularly in threats of judgment (BDB 244 s.v. הִנֵּה b.β). Many modern English versions leave this particle untranslated here.
2 tn The conjunction כִּי (ki) introduces a concessive clause: “Although, when, if, even if” (BDB 473 s.v. כִּי 2.c.β). It has a force approximating “even if” (so NIV, NCV, NRSV, CEV, NLT), but it represents a situation as more likely to occur than אִם (‘im, “if”). The concessive use of כִּי is normally followed by an imperfect, but occasionally a perfect is used, as is the case here (e.g., Mic 7:8; Nah 1:10; Pss 21:12; 119:83).
3 tn The verb קָבַץ (qavats, “to gather together”) should be nuanced “grab hold” in this context (HALOT 1063 s.v. קבץ). This pictures a personified Egypt taking the fugitives prisoner.
4 tn Heb “the treasured things of their silver”; NASB, NIV, TEV, NLT “treasures of silver.”
5 tn Heb “their tents” (so NIV, NRSV); CEV “your tents.”
6 tn The noun תַּמְרוּרִים (tamrurim, “bitter things”) functions as an adverbial accusative of manner, modifying the finite verb: “He bitterly provoked Him to anger” (GKC 375 §118.q). The plural form of the noun functions as a plural of intensity: “very bitterly.” For the adverbial function of the accusative, see IBHS 172-73 §10.2.2e.
7 tn Heb “He will leave his blood upon him”; NIV “will leave upon him the guilt of his bloodshed.”
8 tn The Hebrew term translated “Lord” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).
9 tn Heb “for his contempt” (so NIV); NRSV “for his insults”; NAB “for his outrage.”