Parallel Verses
Julia Smith Translation
For as a stubborn heifer Israel was stubborn: now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a wide 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?
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.
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 If thou Israel commit fornication Judah shall not transgress; and ye shall not come to Gilgal, and ye shall not go up to the house of vanity, and ye shall not swear, Jehovah lives. 16 For as a stubborn heifer Israel was stubborn: now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a wide place. 17 Ephraim is joined to images: leave him.
Cross References
Leviticus 26:33
And I will scatter you among the nations, and I drew out after you a sword: and your land was a desert, and your cities shall be a desolation.
1 Samuel 15:11
I lamented that I made Saul for king, for he turned back from after me, and my words he set not up. And it will kindle to Samuel, and he will cry to Jehovah all the night
Isaiah 5:17
And the lambs feed according to their word, and the deserts of the fat ones shall strangers eat
Isaiah 7:21-25
And it was in, that day a man shall preserve alive a heifer of the herd, and two sheep.
Isaiah 22:18
Rolling, he will roll thee a roll as a ball into a land broad of hands: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory the dishonor of thy lord's house.
Jeremiah 3:6
And Jehovah will say to me in the days of Josiah the king, Sawest thou what Israel turning back, did? She went up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and she will commit fornication there.
Jeremiah 3:8
And I shall see for all the causes that Israel turning away committed adultery, I sent her away and I shall give a writing of her cutting off to her; and her faithless sister Judah was not afraid, and she will go and commit fornication, she also.
Jeremiah 3:11
And Jehovah will say to me, Israel turning away justified her soul above faithless Judah.
Jeremiah 5:6
For this, a lion from the forest struck them, a wolf of the deserts will destroy them, the panther watched over their cities: every one going forth from thence shall be torn in pieces; for their transgressions were multiplied, their turnings away were strong.
Jeremiah 7:24
And they heard not and inclined not their ear, and they went in the counsels in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and they shall be for behind and not before.
Jeremiah 8:5
Wherefore did this people of Jerusalem turn away a continual turning away? they laid hold upon deceit; they refused to turn back.
Jeremiah 14:7
If our iniquities answered against us, O Jehovah, do for sake of thy name: for our turnings back were many; we sinned against thee.
Hosea 11:7
And my people are bent to turning away from me: and they will call together to the Most High; he will not exalt them.
Zechariah 7:11
And they will refuse to attend, and they will give a stubborn shoulder, and their ears they made heavy from hearing.