King James Version

Hosea 4:16

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

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Hebrew

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כִּ֚יkiassuredכִּיconjunction — “assured”H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexedand, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + til…כְּפָרָ֣הkefarahas heiferפָּרָהpreposition, noun, common, feminine, singular, absolute — “as heifer”, the ordinary formH6510a heifercow, heifer, kine.סֹֽרֵרָ֔הsorerahbackslidingסָרַרverb, qal, participle, absolute — “backsliding”, a verb used as a describing wordH5637to turn away, i.e. (morally) be refractory[idiom] away, backsliding, rebellious, revolter(-ing), slide back, stubborn, withdrew.סָרַ֖רsararbackslidingסָרַרverb, qal, perfect, 3rd person, masculine, singular — “backsliding”, a completed actionH5637to turn away, i.e. (morally) be refractory[idiom] away, backsliding, rebellious, revolter(-ing), slide back, stubborn, withdrew.יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyisraelIsraelיִשְׂרָאֵלnoun, proper name — “Israel”H3478Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterityIsrael.עַתָּה֙atahthis timeעַתָּהadverb — “this time”H6258at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletivehenceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas.יִרְעֵ֣םyiremcompanionרָעָהverb, qal, imperfect, 3rd person, masculine, singular, suffix, pronominal, 3rd person, masculine, plural — “companion”, an unfinished actionH7462to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)[idiom] break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep (sheep) (-er), pastor, [phrase] shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.יְהוָ֔הyehvahJehovahיְהֹוָהnoun, proper name — “Jehovah”H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of GodJehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה).כְּכֶ֖בֶשׂkekhevesas lambכֶּבֶשׂpreposition, noun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “as lamb”, the ordinary formH3532a ram (just old enough to butt)lamb, sheep.בַּמֶּרְחָֽבbamerchavin breadthמֶרְחָבpreposition, with the article, noun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “in breadth”, the ordinary formH4800enlargement, either literally (an open space, usually in a good sense), or figuratively (liberty)breadth, large place (room).

Jewish translation (JPS 1917)

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

Compare Public-Domain Translations

The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

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.

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?

Darby Translation

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

Douay-Rheims

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

Jewish Publication Society (1917)

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

Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English

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

Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851)

Διότι ὡς δάμαλις παροιστρῶσα παροίστρησεν Ἰσραήλ· νῦν νεμήσει αὐτοὺς Κύριος ὡς ἀμνὸν ἐν εὐρυχώρῳ.