18 The imperfect verbs in 11:8 function as imperfects of capability. See §34.1a.
19 The phrase נֶהְפַּךְ עָלַי לִבִּי (nehpakh ’alay libbi) is an idiom that can be taken in two ways: (1) emotional sense: to describe a tumult of emotions, not just a clash of ideas, that are afflicting a person (Lam 1:20; הפך 1.c) and (2) volitional sense: to describe a decisive change of policy, that is, a reversal of sentiment from amity to hatred (Exod 14:5; Ps 105:25; 245 הָפַךְ 1; 3). The English versions alternate between these two: (1) emotional discomfort and tension over the prospect of destroying Israel: “mine heart is turned within me” (), “my heart recoils within me” (, ), “My heart is turned over within Me” (), “My heart is torn within me” (); and (2) volitional reversal of previous decision to totally destroy Israel: “I have had a change of heart” (), “my heart is changed within me” (), and “my heart will not let me do it!” (). Both 245 1.b and 3 suggest that the idiom describes a decisive change of heart (reversal of decision to totally destroy Israel once and for all) rather than emotional turbulence of God shifting back and forth between whether to destroy or spare Israel. This volitional nuance is supported by the modal function of the 1st person common singular imperfects in 11:8 (“I will not carry out my fierce anger … I will not destroy Ephraim … I will not come in wrath”) and by the prophetic announcement of future restoration in 11:10–11. Clearly, a dramatic reversal both in tone and in divine intention occurs between 11:5–11.
20 The Niphal of כָּמַר (kamar) means “to grow warm, tender” ( 485 כָּמַר), as its use in a simile with the oven demonstrates (Lam 5:10). It is used several times to describe the arousal of the most tender affection (Gen 43:30; 1 Kgs 3:26; Hos 11:8; 485 1; כמר 1). Cf. “my compassion grows warm and tender.”
21 The three imperfect verbs function as imperfects of capability, similar to the imperfects of capability in 11:8. See §34.1a.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

How can I give you up, O Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, O Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

How can I treat you like Zeboiim?

My heart recoils within me;

my compassion grows warm and tender.

I will not execute my burning anger;

I will not again destroy Ephraim;

for I am God and not a man,

the Holy One in your midst,

and I will not come in wrath.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“How can I give you up, Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, Israel?

How can I treat you like Admah?

How can I make you like Zeboyim?

My heart is changed within me;

all my compassion is aroused.

I will not carry out my fierce anger,

nor will I devastate Ephraim again.

For I am God, and not a man—

the Holy One among you.

I will not come against their cities.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

How can I give you up, Ephraim?

How can I surrender you, Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

How can I treat you like Zeboiim?

I have had a change of heart;

my compassion is stirred!

I will not vent the full fury of my anger;

I will not turn back to destroy Ephraim.

For I am God and not man,

the Holy One among you;

I will not come in rage.

NLTNew Living Translation

“Oh, how can I give you up, Israel?

How can I let you go?

How can I destroy you like Admah

or demolish you like Zeboiim?

My heart is torn within me,

and my compassion overflows.

No, I will not unleash my fierce anger.

I will not completely destroy Israel,

for I am God and not a mere mortal.

I am the Holy One living among you,

and I will not come to destroy.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

How can I give you up, O Ephraim?

How can I hand you over, O Israel?

How can I make you like Admah?

How can I treat you like Zeboiim?

My heart is disturbed within me;

all my compassions are aroused.

I will not execute my fierce anger,

I will not again destroy Ephraim;

because I am God

and not a mortal,

the Holy One in your midst;

and I will not come in wrath.

KJV 1900King James Version

How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?

How shall I deliver thee, Israel?

How shall I make thee as Admah?

How shall I set thee as Zeboim?

Mine heart is turned within me,

My repentings are kindled together.

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger,

I will not return to destroy Ephraim:

For I am God, and not man;

The Holy One in the midst of thee:

And I will not enter into the city.

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