Hosea 4:16 “For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shep…”

Hosea 4:16

For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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 the LORD feed them like a lamb in a meadow?

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

For Israel is rebellious as an vnruly heyfer. Nowe the Lord will feede them as a lambe in a large place.

Darby Translation

For Israel is refractory as an untractable heifer; now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a wide [pasture].

Young's Literal Translation

For as a refractory heifer hath Israel turned aside, Now doth 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.

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Cross references

“slideth”

1 Samuel 15:11 Hosea 11:7 Jeremiah 3:6 Jeremiah 3:8 Jeremiah 3:11 Jeremiah 5:6

1 Samuel 15:11 · BSB

“I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions.” And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all that night.

Hosea 11:7 · BSB

My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.

Jeremiah 3:6 · BSB

Now in the days of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every green tree to prostitute herself there.

Jeremiah 3:8 · BSB

She saw that because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet that unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well.

Jeremiah 3:11 · BSB

And the LORD said to me, “Faithless Israel has shown herself more righteous than unfaithful Judah.

Jeremiah 5:6 · BSB

Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf from the desert will ravage them. A leopard will lie in wait near their cities, and everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces. For their rebellious ac…

“as a lamb”

Leviticus 26:33 Isaiah 7:21–25 Isaiah 22:18

Leviticus 26:33 · BSB

But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste.

Isaiah 7:21–25 · BSB

On that day a man will raise a young cow and two sheep,

Isaiah 22:18 · BSB

roll you into a ball, and sling you into a wide land. There you will die, and there your glorious chariots will remain—a disgrace to the house of your master.

Also

Isaiah 5:17

Isaiah 5:17 · BSB

Lambs will graze as in their own pastures, and strangers will feed in the ruins of the wealthy.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’

17Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!

Read Hosea 4