Hosea 4:16

Authorized King James Version

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For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֚י H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 10
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כְּפָרָ֣ה heifer H6510
כְּפָרָ֣ה heifer
Strong's: H6510
Word #: 2 of 10
a heifer
סָרַ֖ר as a backsliding H5637
סָרַ֖ר as a backsliding
Strong's: H5637
Word #: 3 of 10
to turn away, i.e., (morally) be refractory
סָרַ֖ר as a backsliding H5637
סָרַ֖ר as a backsliding
Strong's: H5637
Word #: 4 of 10
to turn away, i.e., (morally) be refractory
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל For Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל For Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 5 of 10
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַתָּה֙ H6258
עַתָּה֙
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 6 of 10
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
יִרְעֵ֣ם will feed H7462
יִרְעֵ֣ם will feed
Strong's: H7462
Word #: 7 of 10
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
יְהוָ֔ה now the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה now the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 8 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כְּכֶ֖בֶשׂ them as a lamb H3532
כְּכֶ֖בֶשׂ them as a lamb
Strong's: H3532
Word #: 9 of 10
a ram (just old enough to butt)
בַּמֶּרְחָֽב׃ in a large place H4800
בַּמֶּרְחָֽב׃ in a large place
Strong's: H4800
Word #: 10 of 10
enlargement, either literally (an open space, usually in a good sense), or figuratively (liberty)

Analysis & Commentary

Stubborn backsliding: 'For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.' The imagery contrasts stubborn heifer refusing yoke with lamb in open pasture. Israel, like untrained heifer (פָּרָה סוֹרֵרָה, parah sorerah—rebellious cow), resists God's discipline. The consequence is ironic: God will feed them 'as lamb in large place' (כֶּבֶשׂ בַּמֶּרְחָב, keves bamerchav)—not blessing but judgment. A lamb in open space without shepherd faces predators; Israel scattered among nations faces destruction. Or possibly: God will pasture them extensively (not protectively) like exposed lambs. Either way, refusing disciplined covenant relationship results in dangerous freedom/abandonment. This echoes Romans 1:24,26,28: God 'gave them up.' Only Christ bears the yoke perfectly (Matthew 11:29-30) and shepherds His flock securely (John 10:27-29).

Historical Context

The heifer metaphor appears in Jeremiah 31:18 (Ephraim as untrained calf) and throughout Scripture depicting Israel's stubbornness (Exodus 32:9, Deuteronomy 9:6,13). An untrained heifer resists plowing, making agricultural work impossible—similarly, Israel resisted God's purposes. The historical fulfillment came through Assyrian exile: scattered among nations without land or protection, Israel faced assimilation and loss of identity. The 'ten lost tribes' disappeared historically, fulfilling the judgment of dangerous exposure. Yet Jeremiah 31:18-19 promises eventual restoration when the rebellious heifer learns discipline and returns. This hope finds fulfillment in Christ gathering the scattered (John 11:52).

Questions for Reflection