The Hebrew waw conjunction rendered And introduces the next statement, as in 1.4 (see comments there).

On that day is a typical prophetic expression for introducing either a threat or a promise from God, which is to be fulfilled at a certain time when God decides to act. The Hebrew word translated day frequently refers to a longer or a more general and indefinite length of time than twenty-four hours, and it frequently refers more directly to the events that are to occur than to the time of their occurrence. What follows occurred around 733 B.C., not at exactly the same time as the events threatened in 1.4, so Good News Translation‘s more general translation is possible: “at that time.” However, translators should consider whether their language has an idiom to introduce prophetic announcements. Here it introduces an eschatological statement, that is, a decisive and final event. Putting it at the beginning of the sentence usually reinforces this idea. This element is not very clear in Good News Translation.

I will break the bow of Israel in the valley of Jezreel: The bow of Israel is correctly interpreted by Good News Translation as “Israel’s military power.” A single archer’s bow represents Israel’s whole army in this figure of speech. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch renders this clause as “in the valley of Jezreel I will completely destroy Israel’s army.” If the receptor language has a proper metonym for military power or strength (for example, “bow,” “spear,” or “sword”), we recommend that translators use it here.

The valley of Jezreel goes eastward from the city of Jezreel toward the Jordan River. Invaders sometimes entered Israel by this valley (see Jdg 6.33), and it was frequently the scene of large and important battles. The threat of this verse was fulfilled when the Assyrians defeated Israel and took some of Israel’s land (2 Kgs 15.29).

Translation models for this verse are:

• At that time, I will break the sword of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.”

• When that day arrives, I will finish the military power of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.”

Quoted with permission from Dorn, Louis & van Steenbergen, Gerrit. A Handbook on Hosea. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2020. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .