Hosea 4:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For Israel {H3478} slideth back {H5637} as a backsliding {H5637} heifer {H6510}: now the LORD {H3068} will feed {H7462} them as a lamb {H3532} in a large place {H4800}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For Isra'el is stubborn as a stubborn cow; will ADONAI now feed them like a lamb in a big pasture?

Berean Standard Bible

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hosea 4:16 delivers a poignant and stark prophetic indictment against Israel, likening their spiritual apostasy to a stubborn, backsliding heifer that resists the yoke of divine guidance. This vivid agricultural metaphor underscores their persistent rebellion against the Lord's covenant, leading to a severe, ironic judgment: God will "feed" them not with protective care, but by exposing them as vulnerable lambs in a vast, dangerous wilderness, signifying scattering, desolation, and the removal of His protective hand due to their unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Hosea 4:16 is situated within a profound prophetic indictment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Chapter 4 opens with God's "controversy" (or lawsuit) against the inhabitants of the land, accusing them of a pervasive lack of "truth, mercy, nor knowledge of God" ([Hosea 4:1](/hosea/4-1 "Hosea 4:1 - God's Controversy with Israel")). The prophet explicitly condemns the priests for their failure to instruct the people in God's law, leading to a catastrophic spiritual ignorance where the people "are destroyed for lack of knowledge" ([Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - Israel Perishes for Lack of Knowledge")). This spiritual decay manifests in widespread idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal and Asherah, and rampant sexual immorality linked to pagan fertility cults. The preceding verses detail how the people's "harlotry" (spiritual unfaithfulness) has led them astray, consuming their understanding and leading them to sacrifice on high places and under trees ([Hosea 4:12-14](/hosea/4-12-14 "Hosea 4:12-14 - Israel's Spiritual Harlotry")). Verse 16, therefore, serves as a climactic declaration of the inevitable divine consequence for such deep-seated and persistent rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hosea prophesied during the tumultuous final decades of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), roughly 750-715 BC, leading up to its fall to Assyria in 722 BC. This period was marked by political instability, assassinations of kings, and a desperate search for security through foreign alliances rather than reliance on God. Culturally, Israel had deeply assimilated the Canaanite fertility religions, particularly the worship of Baal and Asherah. These cults involved ritual prostitution and sacrifices, promising agricultural prosperity. The imagery of a "heifer" and "lamb" is deeply rooted in an agrarian society where livestock was central to life and economy. Farmers understood the behavior of animals, and a "backsliding heifer" would immediately convey a sense of stubbornness and unruliness, a creature resisting its intended purpose. The concept of "feeding" and "large place" also resonates with pastoral life, where a shepherd's care was paramount for the safety and provision of the flock.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme in Hosea 4, and indeed throughout the book, is Israel's profound **spiritual backsliding and covenant infidelity**. They have abandoned their covenant relationship with Yahweh, exchanging the knowledge of God for pagan practices and moral decay. This leads directly to the theme of **divine judgment and consequences**, as God, in His justice, must respond to their persistent rebellion. The "feeding" of the lamb in a "large place" is a powerful expression of this judgment, signifying exposure, vulnerability, and scattering rather than protection. Another crucial theme is the **lack of knowledge of God**, which Hosea identifies as the root cause of Israel's destruction. This ignorance is not merely intellectual but a relational failure to acknowledge and obey God, leading to a breakdown of societal morality and a rejection of divine instruction ([Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - Israel Perishes for Lack of Knowledge")). The verse also subtly touches on the **nature of God's justice**, which, while severe, is always righteous and aimed at bringing His people to repentance, even through painful means.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **backsliding (Hebrew, _çârar'_):** From H5637, a primitive root meaning "to turn away, i.e. (morally) be refractory." It conveys stubbornness, rebellion, and a willful withdrawal from a proper path or relationship. In the context of Israel, it highlights their deliberate and persistent turning away from God's covenant and commands, rather than an accidental straying.
* **heifer (Hebrew, _pârâh'_):** From H6510, meaning "a heifer; cow, kine." A young female cow, often used for plowing or breeding. An unyoked or backsliding heifer is notoriously difficult to control, resisting guidance and pulling backward against the yoke. This imagery powerfully depicts Israel's unruliness and refusal to submit to God's authority, much like an animal that refuses to be trained or work.
* **feed (Hebrew, _râʻâh'_):** From H7462, a primitive root meaning "to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule." While often meaning to shepherd or provide for, in this context, it carries a strong ironic or punitive sense. God will "feed" them, but not with benevolent care. Instead, it implies allowing them to wander unprotected, to "graze" in a desolate place, or even to be devoured, thus experiencing the consequences of their own choices.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer:"** This clause establishes the central metaphor for Israel's spiritual condition. "Israel" (H3478, _Yisrâʼêl_), the covenant people of God, is depicted as having "slideth back" (H5637, _çârar_), indicating a persistent and willful turning away from God. The comparison to a "backsliding heifer" (H6510, _pârâh_) emphasizes their stubborn, rebellious nature. Like a young cow that resists the farmer's yoke and pulls backward, Israel has resisted God's guidance, refusing to walk in His ways and instead pursuing their own idolatrous paths. This imagery highlights their unruliness, their rejection of divine authority, and their self-destructive independence.
* **"now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place."** This second clause declares the divine consequence of Israel's rebellion, introduced by "now the LORD" (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), emphasizing God's sovereign response. The phrase "will feed them" (H7462, _râʻâh_) is deeply ironic. While "to feed" typically implies provision and protection, here it means the opposite. To "feed them as a lamb" (H3532, _kebes_) suggests vulnerability and exposure. A lamb, especially one without a shepherd, is utterly defenseless. The "large place" (H4800, _merchâb_) further amplifies this sense of exposure. While "large place" can denote freedom or spaciousness, for a vulnerable lamb, it signifies a vast, open, and dangerous wilderness, devoid of protection, where predators roam freely. Thus, God's "feeding" is not benevolent pasturing but rather abandoning Israel to the harsh realities and dangers of their self-chosen rebellion, leading to scattering, desolation, and vulnerability to their enemies.

#### Literary Devices
Hosea 4:16 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Simile**, directly comparing Israel's spiritual state to a "backsliding heifer." This comparison is highly effective because it draws on common agricultural experience, immediately evoking images of stubbornness, resistance to authority, and unruliness. The heifer, meant to be yoked and productive, instead pulls back, illustrating Israel's refusal to be guided by God. Secondly, the verse uses profound **Irony** in the phrase "now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place." The word "feed" (râʻâh) typically implies benevolent shepherding and provision, but here it is inverted to signify abandonment and exposure to danger. Similarly, a "large place" (merchâb), usually associated with freedom and security, becomes a metaphor for vulnerability and desolation for an unprotected lamb. This ironic reversal underscores the severity of God's judgment, turning what might seem like a promise of care into a pronouncement of punitive scattering. Finally, the entire verse functions as a **Metaphor** for Israel's relationship with God, using animal husbandry to describe their spiritual rebellion and its consequences. The imagery of the stubborn heifer and the exposed lamb powerfully encapsulates the trajectory of their unfaithfulness and the resulting divine abandonment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hosea 4:16 powerfully illustrates the immutable principle that persistent spiritual rebellion and a willful rejection of God's truth inevitably lead to severe consequences. Israel's "backsliding" was not a momentary lapse but a deep-seated refusal to acknowledge and obey the Lord, culminating in a divine judgment that mirrored their unfaithfulness. God, as the ultimate Shepherd, withdraws His protective care when His flock stubbornly refuses His guidance, leaving them vulnerable to the "predators" of their own choices and the harsh realities of a world without His covering. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of covenant infidelity and the active nature of divine justice, which, while painful, ultimately seeks to bring about repentance and a return to the true Shepherd.

* [Jeremiah 8:5](/jeremiah/8-5 "Jeremiah 8:5 - Perpetual Backsliding")
* [Proverbs 14:14](/proverbs/14-14 "Proverbs 14:14 - The Backslider in Heart")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15-20](/deuteronomy/28-15-20 "Deuteronomy 28:15-20 - Curses for Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hosea 4:16 offers a timeless and sobering warning for believers today, underscoring the profound dangers of spiritual complacency and willful disobedience. Just as ancient Israel, despite being God's chosen people, faced devastating consequences for their persistent "backsliding," so too can individuals and communities experience spiritual desolation when they resist God's guidance and neglect His truth. This verse challenges us to honestly examine our hearts: Are we truly submitted to the "yoke" of Christ, allowing Him to lead us, or are we, like the "backsliding heifer," stubbornly pulling away from His commands and convictions? Our spiritual vitality depends on a diligent pursuit of the knowledge of God, not merely intellectual assent, but a deep, relational understanding that transforms our lives. When we neglect His Word and Spirit, we risk becoming like "lambs in a large place"—vulnerable, exposed, and susceptible to the spiritual dangers that surround us, stripped of the protective care of our Shepherd. Understanding God's discipline, as painful as it may be, is crucial; it is often His loving, albeit firm, means of calling us back to Himself, preventing utter destruction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's guidance, acting like a "backsliding heifer" instead of submitting to His will?**
* **How am I actively pursuing a deeper "knowledge of God" to avoid spiritual ignorance and its destructive consequences?**
* **Am I willing to embrace God's loving discipline as a means of correction and restoration, even when it feels like being exposed "as a lamb in a large place"?**

### FAQ
**Does "the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place" signify a blessing or a curse?**

Answer: In the context of Hosea 4:16, the phrase "the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place" is unequivocally a pronouncement of judgment and a curse, not a blessing. While the word "feed" (Hebrew: _râʻâh_) can mean to shepherd or provide for, its usage here is deeply ironic. For a vulnerable "lamb" (Hebrew: _kebes_) to be in a "large place" (Hebrew: _merchâb_) without the protective care of a shepherd, it signifies exposure, desolation, and vulnerability to predators and harsh conditions. Instead of being safely pastured and protected by God, Israel, due to their stubborn "backsliding," is being abandoned to the consequences of their own rebellion. This "feeding" means being left to wander unprotected, scattered, and defenseless, facing the full brunt of divine judgment and the dangers of a world without God's covering. It is a stark contrast to the benevolent shepherding promised in passages like [Psalm 23:1-2](/psalm/23-1-2 "Psalm 23:1-2 - The Lord is My Shepherd") and highlights the severity of God's response to their persistent unfaithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hosea 4:16, with its stark imagery of a backsliding people facing judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Israel's failure as a "backsliding heifer" underscores humanity's universal propensity to rebel against God's loving authority, leading to spiritual exposure and vulnerability. Yet, in Christ, we see the perfect Lamb of God, who, unlike the vulnerable lamb in a "large place" of judgment, willingly offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to atone for humanity's sin and rebellion ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His perfect obedience and atoning death, Jesus provides the true "feeding" and protection that Israel forfeited. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, gathering them into His fold and leading them to green pastures and still waters ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"); [Psalm 23:1-2](/psalm/23-1-2 "Psalm 23:1-2 - The Lord is My Shepherd")). Under the New Covenant, those who trust in Christ are no longer left as exposed lambs in a dangerous wilderness but are securely held in the Father's hand, assured of His constant presence and unfailing care ([John 10:28-29](/john/10-28-29 "John 10:28-29 - No One Can Snatch Them")). Thus, Christ reverses the judgment of Hosea 4:16, transforming vulnerability into security, and rebellion into reconciliation, offering true spiritual nourishment and protection to all who come to Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 7:21

And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;

Isaiah 7:25

And [on] all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.

Jeremiah 3:8

And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

Jeremiah 3:6

¶ The LORD said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, Hast thou seen [that] which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot.

Isaiah 22:18

He will surely violently turn and toss thee [like] a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory [shall be] the shame of thy lord's house.

Jeremiah 7:24

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels [and] in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

Zechariah 7:11

But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.