Parallel Verses
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.
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!
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, yet do not let Judah offend; and do not come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beth Aven, nor swear, 'As the LORD lives.' 16 For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer. Then how will the LORD feed them like a lamb in a meadow. 17 Ephraim is joined to idols. Leave him alone.
Cross References
Leviticus 26:33
I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you: and your land will be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste.
1 Samuel 15:11
"It grieves me that I have made Saul king; for he has turned back from following me, and has not carried out my commandments." And Samuel was angry; and he cried to the LORD all night.
Isaiah 5:17
Then the lambs will graze as in their pasture, and strangers will eat the ruins of the rich.
Isaiah 7:21-25
It shall happen in that day that a man shall keep alive a young cow, and two sheep;
Isaiah 22:18
He will surely wind you around and around, and throw you like a ball into a large country. There you will die, and there the chariots of your glory will be, you shame of your lord's house.
Jeremiah 3:6
Moreover, the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king, "Have you seen that which backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there has played the prostitute.
Jeremiah 3:8
I saw, when, for this very cause that backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce, yet treacherous Judah, her sister, did not fear; but she also went and played the prostitute.
Jeremiah 3:11
The LORD said to me, "Backsliding Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah.
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 there shall be torn in pieces; because their transgressions are many, and their backsliding is increased.
Jeremiah 7:24
But they did not listen nor turn their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
Jeremiah 8:5
Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
Jeremiah 14:7
"Though our iniquities testify against us, work for your name's sake, LORD; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you.
Hosea 11:7
My people are determined to turn from me. Though they call to the Most High, he certainly won't exalt them.
Zechariah 7:11
But they refused to listen, and turned their backs, and stopped their ears, that they might not hear.