Discovery BoxHosea 10:11 
Context10:11 Ephraim was a well-trained heifer who loved to thresh grain;
I myself put a fine yoke 1 on her neck.
I will harness Ephraim.
Let Judah plow! 2
Let Jacob break up 3 the unplowed ground for himself!
Hosea 14:9
Context14:9 Who is wise?
Let him discern 4 these things!
Who is discerning?
Let him understand them!
For the ways of the Lord are right;
the godly walk in them,
but in them the rebellious stumble.
1 tc The MT is unintelligible: עַל־טוּב (’al-tuv, “upon a fine [thing]”?). Cf. KJV “I passed over upon her fair neck”; NRSV “I spared her fair neck.” The BHS editors suggest the revocalization עֹל־טוּב (’ol-tuv, “a fine yoke”), followed by many modern English versions (e.g., NAB, NASB, NIV, NCV, TEV, NLT). The noun עֹל (’ol, “yoke”) also appears in 11:4 in a metaphor which compares Israel to a young heifer as well.
2 tn Or “Judah will plow” (so NASB); NIV, NRSV, CEV “Judah must plow.”
3 tn Or “Jacob will break up.”
4 tn The shortened form of the prefix-conjugation verb וְיָבֵן (vÿyaven) indicates that it is a jussive rather than an imperfect. When a jussive comes from a superior to an inferior, it may connote exhortation and instruction or advice and counsel. For the functions of the jussive, see IBHS 568-70 §34.3.
