Hosea Chapter 11 verse 6 Holy Bible
And the sword shall fall upon their cities, and shall consume their bars, and devour `them', because of their own counsels.
read chapter 11 in ASV
And the sword will go through his towns, wasting his children and causing destruction because of their evil designs.
read chapter 11 in BBE
and the sword shall turn about in his cities, and shall consume his bars, and devour [them], because of their own counsels.
read chapter 11 in DARBY
And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.
read chapter 11 in KJV
read chapter 11 in WBT
The sword will fall on their cities, And will consume their gate bars, And will put an end to their plans.
read chapter 11 in WEB
Grievous hath been the sword in his cities, And it hath ended his bars, and consumed -- from their own counsels.
read chapter 11 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 6. - And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them. A more accurate rendering would be, and the sword shall sweep round in its cities, and destroy its bolts and devour. Nay, they could not free themselves from invasion and attack. The sword of war would whirl down upon their cities and consume the branches, that is, the villages, or the city bars, or the strong warriors set for defense. Some understand the word so variously interpreted in the sense of "liars," and refer it to the prophets, priests, and politicians who spake falsehood and. acted deceitfully. The word הלח is rendered (1) "the sword," as the principal weapon in ancient warfare and the symbol of war's destructive power shall sweep round in, circulate, or make the round of the cities of Israel; but (2) others," whirl down," "light on ;" thus both Rashi and Kimchi. Again, בַדּים is, as already intimated, variously rendered. The most appropriate translation (a) is (literally, "poles for carrying the ark," Exodus 25:13) "bolts or bars" for securing gates, the root being בדד, to separate. . . .
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(6) The rendering of the English version is here incorrect. Render, Then shall the sword be brandished amid his cities, and utterly destroy his princes. The word for "princes" is, literally, bars, the heroes, leaders, or defenders of the state being aptly called barriers, or bulwarks. Analogous metaphors frequently occur in the Old Testament; such is the interpretation of the Targum.
