Hosea 14:2

Footnotes

1. 2 Heb “Take words with you and return to the Lord” (so , , ).
2. 3 The word order כָּל־תִּשָּׂא עָוֹן (kol-tisa’ ’avon) is syntactically awkward. The editors suggest rearranging the word order: תִּשָּׂא כָּל־עוֹן (“Forgive all [our] iniquity!”). However, Gesenius suggests that כָּל (“all”) does not function as the construct in the genitive phrase כָּל־עוֹן (“all [our] iniquity”); it functions adverbially modifying the verb תִּשָּׂא (“Completely forgive!”; see §128.e).
3. 4 The repetition of the root לָקַח (laqakh) creates a striking wordplay in 14:2. If Israel will bring (לָקַח) its confession to God, he will accept (לָקַח) repentant Israel and completely forgive its sin.
4. 5 Heb “and accept [our] speech.” The word טוֹב (tov) is often confused with the common homonymic root I טוֹב (tov, “good”; 373 I טוֹב). However, this is probably IV טוֹב (tov, “word, speech”; IV טוֹב), a that is related to the verb טבב (“to speak”; טבב) and the noun טִבָּה (tibbah, “rumor”; טִבָּה). The term טוֹב (“word; speech”) refers to the repentant prayer mentioned in 14:1–3. Most translations relate it to I טוֹב and treat it as (1) accusative direct object: “accept that which is good” (, ), “Accept our good sacrifices” (), or (2) adverbial accusative of manner: “receive [us] graciously” (, , ). Note , however, which follows the suggestion made here: “accept our prayer.”
5. 6 The reads פָרִים (farim, “bulls”), but the reflects פְּרִי (péri, “fruit”), a reading followed by , , : “that we may offer the fruit of [our] lips [as sacrifices to you].” Although the Greek expression in Heb 13:15 (καρπὸν χειλέων, karpon xeileōn, “the fruit of lips”) reflects this phrase, the makes good sense as it stands; NT usage of the should not be considered decisive in resolving OT textual problems. The noun פָרִים (parim, “bulls”) functions as an adverbial accusative of state.