Parallel Verses
A Conservative Version
For Israel has behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Now LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
New American Standard Bible
Like a stubborn heifer,
Like a lamb in a large field?
King James Version
For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
Holman Bible
Can the Lord now shepherd them
like a lamb in an open meadow?
International Standard Version
For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn mule! Nevertheless, will not the LORD feed them like a lamb in a broad pasture?
American Standard Version
For Israel hath behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer: now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place.
Amplified
For Israel is stubborn,
Like a stubborn heifer.
Can the Lord now pasture them
Like a lamb in a large field?
Bible in Basic English
For Israel is uncontrolled, like a cow which may not be controlled; now will the Lord give them food like a lamb in a wide place.
Darby Translation
For Israel is refractory as an untractable heifer; now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a wide pasture.
Julia Smith Translation
For as a stubborn heifer Israel was stubborn: now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a wide place.
King James 2000
For Israel slides back like a stubborn heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in an open pasture.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Indeed, like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn; Now Yahweh will feed them, like a lamb in broad pasture.
Modern King James verseion
For Israel slides back like a backsliding heifer. Now Jehovah will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
For Israel is gone back like a wanton cow. The LORD therefore shall make her feed, as the lamb that goeth astray.
NET Bible
Israel has rebelled like a stubborn heifer! Soon the Lord will put them out to pasture like a lamb in a broad field!
New Heart English Bible
For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Then how will the LORD feed them like a lamb in a meadow.
The Emphasized Bible
For, as a heifer that is stubborn, hath Israel, been stubborn, - Now, can Yahweh, turn them out to pasture, like a young ram in a wide place?
Webster
For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
World English Bible
For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Then how will Yahweh feed them like a lamb in a meadow.
Youngs Literal Translation
For as a refractory heifer hath Israel turned aside, Now doth Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place.
Themes
Heifer » Figurative » Of backsliders
Lambs » Illustrative » (deserted and exposed,) of israel deprived of God's protection
Oxen » Heifer illustrative » (sliding back,) of backsliding israel
Interlinear
Carar
References
Word Count of 20 Translations in Hosea 4:16
Verse Info
Context Readings
God's Case Against The People
15 Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend, and come not ye to Gilgal, nor go ye up to Beth-aven, nor swear, As LORD lives. 16 For Israel has behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Now LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place. 17 Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone.
Cross References
Leviticus 26:33
And I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you, and your land shall be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste.
1 Samuel 15:11
I regret that I have set up Saul to be king, for he has turned back from following me, and has not performed my commandments. And Samuel was angry, and he cried out to LORD all night.
Isaiah 5:17
Then the lambs shall feed as in their pasture, and wanderers shall eat the waste places of the fat ones.
Isaiah 7:21-25
And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall keep alive a young cow and two sheep.
Isaiah 22:18
He will surely wind thee round and round, [tossing] like a ball into a large country. There thou shall die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be, thou shame of thy lord's house.
Jeremiah 5:6
Therefore a lion out of the forest shall kill them; a wolf of the evenings shall destroy them; a leopard shall watch against their cities. Everyone who goes out from there shall be torn in pieces, because their transgressions are m
Jeremiah 7:24
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in [their own] counsels, in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
Jeremiah 8:5
Why then has this people of Jerusalem slid back by a perpetual backsliding? They hold firm deceit. They refuse to return.
Jeremiah 14:7
Though our iniquities testify against us, work thou for thy name's sake, O LORD. For our backslidings are many. We have sinned against thee.
Hosea 11:7
And my people are bent on backsliding from me. Though they call them to [him who is] on high, none at all will exalt [him].
Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.