King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.
Complete Jewish Bible:
who was guiding them on through human means with reins made of love. With them I was like someone removing the yoke from their jaws, and I bent down to feed them.
Berean Standard Bible:
I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them.
American Standard Version:
I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that lift up the yoke on their jaws; and I laid food before them.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
I drew{H4900} them with cords{H2256} of a man{H120}, with bands{H5688} of love{H160}: and I was to them as they that take off{H7311} the yoke{H5923} on their jaws{H3895}, and I laid{H5186} meat{H398} unto them.
Cross-References (KJV):
John 12:32
- And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me.
Leviticus 26:13
- I [am] the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.
2 Corinthians 5:14
- For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
Isaiah 63:9
- In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
Jeremiah 31:2
- Thus saith the LORD, The people [which were] left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; [even] Israel, when I went to cause him to rest.
Jeremiah 31:3
- The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, [saying], Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Hosea 2:8
- For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, [which] they prepared for Baal.
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Commentary for Hosea 11:4
Hosea 11:4 is a verse that captures the tender and compassionate nature of God's relationship with Israel, despite the nation's repeated unfaithfulness. The historical context of this verse is set during the ministry of the prophet Hosea, who lived in the eighth century BCE, a time when the northern kingdom of Israel was experiencing great political turmoil and moral decay. The nation had turned away from God, engaging in idolatry and social injustice.
In this verse, God speaks through Hosea, using the metaphor of drawing someone with "cords of a man" and "bands of love," which conveys a gentle and caring guidance, rather than a harsh or forceful control. This imagery suggests a parental affection, emphasizing God's patience and mercy. The phrase "I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws" implies that God relieved Israel from the burden of oppression, much like removing a heavy yoke from an ox's neck. Furthermore, "I laid meat unto them" indicates God's provision of sustenance, highlighting His role as a nurturer and protector.
The themes of Hosea 11:4 revolve around God's steadfast love, forgiveness, and the desire for a reciprocal, faithful relationship with His people. It reflects the broader message of the book of Hosea, which uses the prophet's own marital experiences as an allegory for God and Israel's covenant relationship. Despite the nation's spiritual adultery, God's love remains, and He is portrayed as a compassionate savior who seeks to restore and feed His wayward children, calling them back into a relationship characterized by loyalty and love.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H4900
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָשַׁךְ
Transliteration: mâshak
Pronunciation: maw-shak'
Description: a primitive root; to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.); draw (along, out), continue, defer, extend, forbear, [idiom] give, handle, make (pro-, sound) long, [idiom] sow, scatter, stretch out. - Strong's Number: H2256
There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֶבֶל
Transliteration: chebel
Pronunciation: kheh'-bel
Description: or חֵבֶל; from חָבַל; a rope (as twisted), especially a measuring line; by implication, a district or inheritance (as measured); or a noose (as of cords); figuratively, a company (as if tied together); also a throe (especially of parturition); also ruin; band, coast, company, cord, country, destruction, line, lot, pain, pang, portion, region, rope, snare, sorrow, tackling. - Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. - Strong's Number: H5688
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲבֹת
Transliteration: ʻăbôth
Pronunciation: ab-oth'
Description: or עֲבוֹת; or (feminine) עֲבֹתָה; the same as עָבֹת; something intwined, i.e. a string, wreath or foliage; band, cord, rope, thick bough (branch), wreathen (chain). - Strong's Number: H160
There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַהֲבָה
Transliteration: ʼahăbâh
Pronunciation: a-hab-aw
Description: feminine of אַהַב and meaning the same; {affection (in a good or a bad sense)}; love. - Strong's Number: H7311
There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רוּם
Transliteration: rûwm
Pronunciation: room
Description: a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively); bring up, exalt (self), extol, give, go up, haughty, heave (up), (be, lift up on, make on, set up on, too) high(-er, one), hold up, levy, lift(-er) up, (be) lofty, ([idiom] a-) loud, mount up, offer (up), [phrase] presumptuously, (be) promote(-ion), proud, set up, tall(-er), take (away, off, up), breed worms. - Strong's Number: H5923
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֹל
Transliteration: ʻôl
Pronunciation: ole
Description: or עוֹל; from עָלַל; a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively; yoke. - Strong's Number: H3895
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לְחִי
Transliteration: lᵉchîy
Pronunciation: lekh-ee'
Description: from an unused root meaning to be soft; the cheek (from its fleshiness); hence, the jaw-bone; cheek (bone), jaw (bone). - Strong's Number: H5186
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָטָה
Transliteration: nâṭâh
Pronunciation: naw-taw'
Description: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.