Hos 1:5 | NET2full | STEP | At that time , I will destroy the military power of Israel in the valley of Jezreel .”

‏ Hosea 1:5

5 At that time, ^{▼▼tn Heb “In that day” (so NIV; NAB, NRSV “On that day”).} I will destroy the military power ^{▼▼tn Heb “I will break the bow” (so NAB, NRSV). The phrase “break the bow” (וְשַׁבָרְתִּי אֶת־קֶשֶׁת, veshavarti ʾet qeshet) is figurative. The term קֶשֶׁת (qeshet, “bow”) frequently refers to the warrior’s weapon (2 Sam 22:35; Ps 18:35; Job 20:24; Hos 2:20; Zech 9:10; 10:4). The reference to the warrior’s bow is a synecdoche of specific (bow) for general (military weaponry or power; see HALOT 1155 s.v. קֶשֶׁת 3). The noun קֶשֶׁת is used figuratively for “power” several times (e.g., Gen 49:24; 1 Sam 2:4; Jer 49:35; Job 29:20; Ps 37:15; BDB 906 s.v. 1.e).} of Israel in the valley of Jezreel.”