Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G MessageIn those days Yahweh began to cut back Israel's territory. Hazael struck them throughout the whole land of Israel:
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.GIn those days YHWH began to trim back Yisra'el. Chaza'el struck them throughout all the territory of Yisra'el:
KJV
King James VersionIn those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;
BSB
Berean Standard BibleIn those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory
Footnotes
The verb *qatsets* means to cut off, lop, or trim — the image of pruning a vine or tree. Critically, it is YHWH Himself who 'begins' (*hachel*) to diminish Yisra'el, using Chaza'el of Aram as His instrument of covenantal discipline (cf. Deut. 28:25). This is not random geopolitical misfortune but the pruning of a people who have been unfaithful — anticipating the fuller prophetic vineyard imagery of Isa. 5 and Yeshua's teaching in John 15. FOG renders 'trim back,' preserving the organic, horticultural image; FOG Message 'cut back,' maintaining the sense of reduction and loss.