They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. (Hosea 14:7)
The clause reads literally, “they shall revive the grain.” The RSV translation, “they shall flourish as a garden,” is obtained by a slight change in the Hebrew word for “corn.” The LXX reads, “they shall be filled with grain.”
Shall return.
Ephraim might have realized the glorious prospect here portrayed. Through Hosea the Lord endeavored to make the outlook appear as appealing as possible in the hope that the invitation might not be refused. The appeal constitutes a fitting climax to the book.
His shadow.
If Jehovah is still the speaker, this should read “my shadow” (see RSV), although such a translation involves a slight change of the Hebrew. On the other hand the prophet may here be speaking, in which case the change in person in accounted for.