Parallel Verses
Amplified
For Israel is stubborn,
Like a stubborn heifer.
Can the Lord now pasture them
Like a lamb in a large field?
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?
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.
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.
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 you, Israel, play the prostitute [by worshiping idols],
Do not let Judah become guilty [of the same thing];
And do not go to Gilgal [where idols are worshiped],
Or go up to
Nor swear [oaths in idolatrous worship, saying],
“As the Lord lives!”
For Israel is stubborn,
Like a stubborn heifer.
Can the Lord now pasture them
Like a lamb in a large field?
Ephraim is joined to idols,
So let him alone [to suffer the consequences].
Cross References
Leviticus 26:33
I will scatter you among the nations and draw out the sword [of your enemies] after you; your land will become desolate and your cities will become ruins.
1 Samuel 15:11
“I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My commands.” Samuel was angry [over Saul’s failure] and he cried out to the Lord all night.
Isaiah 5:17
Then the lambs will graze [among the ruins] as in their own pasture,
And strangers will eat in the desolate places of the [exiled] wealthy.
Isaiah 7:21-25
Now in that day [because of the poverty caused by the invaders] a man will keep alive only a young milk cow and two sheep;
Isaiah 22:18
And roll you up tightly like a ball
And toss you into a vast country;
There you will die
And there your splendid chariots will be,
You shame of your master’s house.’
Jeremiah 3:6
Moreover, the Lord said to me in the days of Josiah the king [of Judah], “Have you seen what that faithless Israel has done—how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and there she was a prostitute?
Jeremiah 3:8
And I saw [that even though Judah knew] that for all the acts of adultery (idolatry) of faithless Israel, I [the Lord] had
Jeremiah 3:11
And the Lord said to me, “Faithless Israel has proved herself less guilty than treacherous Judah [a land of renegades].
Jeremiah 5:6
Therefore a lion from the forest will kill them,
A wolf of the deserts will destroy them,
A leopard is watching their cities.
Everyone who goes out of them shall be torn in pieces,
Because their transgressions are many,
Their desertions of faith are countless.
Jeremiah 7:24
But they did not obey Me or bend their ear [to hear Me], but followed the counsels and the stubbornness of their [own] evil heart (mind), and [they turned and] went backward instead of forward.
Jeremiah 8:5
“Why then has this people of Jerusalem
Turned away with a perpetual turning away [from Me]?
They hold tightly to
They refuse to repent and return [to God].
Jeremiah 14:7
“O Lord, though our many sins testify against us” [prays Jeremiah],
“Act now [for us and] for Your name’s sake [so that the faithless may witness Your faithfulness]!
For our backslidings are countless;
We have sinned against You.
Hosea 11:7
My people are bent on turning from Me;
Though the prophets call them to the One on high,
None at all exalts Him.
Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to listen and pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder [stiffening themselves in resistance] and stopped up their ears.