HOS 4:16 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, green:YHWH.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Διότι ὡς δάμαλις παροιστρῶσα παροίστρησεν Ἰσραήλ· νῦν νεμήσει αὐτοὺς Κύριος ὡς ἀμνὸν ἐν εὐρυχώρῳ.
(Dioti hōs damalis paroistrōsa paroistraʸsen Israaʸl; nun nemaʸsei autous Kurios hōs amnon en euruⱪōrōi. )

BrTr For Israel was maddened like a mad heifer: now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a wide place.

ULT Israel is stubborn, like a stubborn heifer;
⇔ can Yahweh now feed them like lambs in a broad pasture?

UST Israel is as stubborn as a young cow.
⇔ Can I now feed them as if they were little lambs in a meadow?

OEB ⇔ Like a wilful heifer,
⇔ Israel is stubborn.
⇔ Can the Lord now feed them
⇔ as he would a lamb in a broad pasture?

WEBBE For Israel has behaved extremely stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer.
⇔ Then how will the LORD feed them like a lamb in a meadow?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Israel has rebelled like a stubborn heifer!
⇔ Soon the Lord will put them out to pasture
⇔ like a lamb in a broad field!

LSV For Israel has turned aside as a stubborn heifer,
Now YHWH feeds them as a lamb in a large place.

FBV For Israel is as stubborn as a stubborn cow. Should the Lord then take care of them like a lamb in a wide pasture?

T4T You people of Israel are as stubborn as [SIM] a young cow.
⇔ So there is no way [RHQ] that I, Yahweh, will provide food for them
⇔ like a shepherd provides food for his lambs
⇔ by leading them to a nice meadow.

LEB • Indeed, like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn;
• Now Yahweh will feed them,
• like a lamb in broad pasture.[fn]

4:? Or “Can Yahweh feed them, like a lamb in broad pasture?”

BBE 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.

Moff ⇔ Israel is stubborn
⇔ as a restive heifer.
⇔ How can the Eternal feed them now,
⇔ like lambs in a broad pasture?

JPS For Israel is stubborn like a stubborn heifer; now shall the LORD feed them as a lamb in a large place?

ASV For Israel hath behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer: now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place.

DRA For Israel hath gone astray like a wanton heifer: now will the Lord feed them, as a lamb in a spacious place.

YLT For as a refractory heifer hath Israel turned aside, Now doth Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a large place.

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

RV For Israel hath behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer: now will the LORD feed them as a lamb in a large place.
(For Israel hath/has behaved himself stubbornly, like a stubborn heifer: now will the LORD feed them as a lamb in a large place. )

SLT For as a stubborn heifer Israel was stubborn: now will Jehovah feed them as a lamb in a wide place.

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

KJB-1769 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.

KJB-1611 For Israel slideth backe, as a backe sliding heifer: now the LORD will feede them as a lambe in a large place.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps For Israel is rebellious like an vnrulye heysfer: nowe the Lorde wyll feede them as a lambe in a large place.
(For Israel is rebellious like an unruly heifer: now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place.)

Gnva For Israel is rebellious as an vnruly heyfer. Nowe the Lord will feede them as a lambe in a large place.
(For Israel is rebellious as an unruly heifer. Now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a large place. )

Cvdl For Israel is gone backe, like a waton cowe. The LORDE therfore shal make hir fede, as ye labe yt goeth astraye.
(For Israel is gone back, like a waton cow. The LORD therefore shall make her feed, as ye/you_all lamb it goeth/goes astray.)

Wycl For as a wielde cow Israel bowide awei; now the Lord schal fede hem as a lomb in broodnesse.
(For as a wild cow Israel bowed away; now the Lord shall feed hem as a lamb in broodness.)

Luth Denn Israel läuft wie eine tolle Kuh, so wird sie auch der HErr weiden lassen wie ein Lamm in der Irre.
(Because Israel running as/like a/one tolle cow, so becomes they/she/them also the/of_the LORD graze let as/like a lamb in the/of_the lunatic/crazy_(one).)

ClVg Quoniam sicut vacca lasciviens declinavit Israël; nunc pascet eos Dominus, quasi agnum in latitudine.
(Since like vacca lasciviens declinavit Israel; now he_will_feed them Master, as_if lamb in/into/on width. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 4:11b–19: The Sinful People

This section shows how much the people of Israel were committed to sexual sin and idolatry. They were stubborn and refused to return to the LORD. As a result, the LORD promised to discipline them so that in time they would be ashamed of their idolatry.

Here are some other examples of section headings:

The Lord Condemns Pagan Worship (GNT)

Worship in Israel is idolatrous and debauched (NJB)

The previous section focused primarily on the priests. This section focuses on the people as a group. A section heading may be appropriate here if you chose interpretation (1) in 4:10d–11b. In that case this section would begin with a new sentence. A section heading is not recommended if you chose interpretation (2) or (3), because the heading would interrupt a sentence.

Paragraph 4:15–19

This paragraph gives more details about the immorality, drunkenness, and idol worship of the people of Israel.

4:16a

For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer.

Since the Israelites are as stubborn as a young cow that refuses to be led,
You^(plur) are like a stubborn cow/mule.

For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer: In Hebrew, this verse part begins with a word that the BSB and some other versions translate as For. There are two ways to interpret the function of this word:

It introduces the reason for something that follows. Israel is stubborn. For that reason, the LORD will no longer care for the people as a shepherd cares for his sheep. For example:
^16a Since Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn heifer, ^16bCan the Lord now pasture them Like a lamb in a large field? (NASB) (NASB, NIV, NRSV, REB)
It introduces the explanation for a previous statement. It was because of Israel’s stubbornness that they were forbidden to use the LORD’s name. It was also because of their stubbornness that they were immoral and worshiped idols. For example:
for Israel is as stubborn as a stubborn heifer (NJB) (BSB, KJV, NJB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). It fits well with the logic of the verse, that Israel’s stubbornness is the reason for the LORD’s response in 4:16b. Many versions leave the reason implied. For example:

Like a stubborn heifer, Israel is stubborn (NRSV)

The Israelites are stubborn, like a stubborn heifer. (NIV)

If is natural in your language to express this reason implicitly, you may do so.

as obstinate as a stubborn heifer: This is a simile that compares the behavior of the people of Israel to that of a stubborn heifer/cow. A stubborn heifer refuses to follow the person that tries to lead it. Similarly, the people of Israel refuse to follow the LORD and obey him. It is recommended that you keep this comparison if the meaning is clear. If the meaning is not clear in your language, you may substitute a different comparison that has the same meaning and impact. For example:

as stubborn as mules (GNT)

heifer: This word refers to a young cow that has not given birth to a calf. Some languages may have a word that refers specifically to this kind of cow. In other languages, it may be necessary to use a more general word or phrase. For example:

like a stubborn young cow (NCV)

like a stubborn cow (NJPS)

4:16b

Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?

can Yahweh shepherd them like lambs in a broad pasture? No, he cannot.
You are so stubborn that I, Yahweh, cannot feed you^(plur) like lambs in a large field of grass.

Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?: Here the LORD gave his response to the stubbornness of Israel by using another simile. He compared the people of Israel to lambs in a large pasture. There are two ways to interpret this comparison:

It is a rhetorical question. The implied negative answer is: “He cannot.” The Israelites were so stubborn that the LORD could not provide and care for them as a shepherd would lead and care for his sheep.Macintosh (page 165), Wood (page 188), and Hubbard (page 109). For example:
can the Lord now feed them like a lamb in a broad pasture? (NRSV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GNT, GW, NAB, NASB, NIV, NJB, NLT, NRSV) This same interpretation can also be expressed as a statement. For example:
so stubborn that I, the Lord, cannot feed you like lambs in an open pasture (CEV) (CEV)
It is a statement of the LORD’s judgment. He compared the people of Israel to sheep in a wide land. The meaning is that he will scatter them to places where they would not be under his care and protection.Keil (page 83), McComiskey (page 71), and Pusey (page 54). For example:
so the Lord will put her out to pasture. She will stand alone and unprotected, like a helpless lamb in an open field. (NLT96) (KJV, NCV, NET, NJPS, NLT96)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) along with most versions. The image of a shepherd caring for sheep is a common one in the Old Testament. The image almost always has a positive connotation.Support for interpretation (2) is also reasonable. The most important points in its favor are that this clause lacks an interrogative marker and that it is introduced by a Hebrew word “now” or “soon” that generally introduces a judgment. Nevertheless, these points are not conclusive. It is not unusual, even in Hosea, for a rhetorical question to be unmarked. Also, the word “now” does not always indicate a judgment. It can simply indicate a conclusion. Another argument against interpretation (2) is that there are no definitive examples in the Old Testament of the image of a shepherd caring for sheep in a wide place being used in a negative sense.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

(Occurrence 0) like a stubborn heifer

(Some words not found in UHB: that/for/because/then/when like,a_heifer stubborn stubborn Yisrael now he,will_pasture_them YHWH like,a_lamb in_(the),place )

Israel is compared to a young cow that will not obey its master.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

(Occurrence 0) How can Yahweh bring them to pasture like lambs in a meadow?

(Some words not found in UHB: that/for/because/then/when like,a_heifer stubborn stubborn Yisrael now he,will_pasture_them YHWH like,a_lamb in_(the),place )

Yahweh uses a question to emphasize that he cannot continue to take care of the people because they are stubborn. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will not shepherd a rebellious people.”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

(Occurrence 0) How can Yahweh

(Some words not found in UHB: that/for/because/then/when like,a_heifer stubborn stubborn Yisrael now he,will_pasture_them YHWH like,a_lamb in_(the),place )

Here Yahweh is speaking of himself in the third person. It can be stated in the first person. Alternate translation: “How can I”

Parallel HOS 4:16

Section 4:11b–19: The Sinful People

Paragraph 4:15–19

4:16a

4:16b