Parallel Verses
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.
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 you play the whore, O Israel, let not Judah become guilty. Enter not into Gilgal, nor go up to Beth-aven, and swear not, "As the LORD lives."
16
Like a stubborn heifer,
Like a lamb in a large field?
Cross References
Leviticus 26:33
And I will scatter you among the nations, and I will unsheathe 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 made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments." And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the LORD all night.
Isaiah 5:17
Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture, and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich.
Isaiah 7:21-25
In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep,
Isaiah 22:18
and whirl you around and around, and throw you like a ball into a wide land. There you shall die, and there shall be your glorious chariots, you shame of your master's house.
Jeremiah 3:6
The LORD said to me in the days of King Josiah: "Have you seen what she did, that faithless one, Israel, how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and there played the whore?
Jeremiah 3:8
She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore.
Jeremiah 3:11
And the LORD said to me, "Faithless Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.
Jeremiah 5:6
Therefore a lion from the forest shall strike them down; a wolf from the desert shall devastate them. A leopard is watching their cities; everyone who goes out of them shall be torn in pieces, because their transgressions are many, their apostasies are great.
Jeremiah 7:24
But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.
Jeremiah 8:5
Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit; they refuse to return.
Jeremiah 14:7
"Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O LORD, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.
Hosea 11:7
My people are bent on turning away from me, and though they call out to the Most High, he shall not raise them up at all.
Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear.