Hosea 4:16

For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer,.... A heifer or young cow Israel is compared unto; the rather, because of the object of their idolatrous worship, the calves at Dan and Bethel: the…

For Israel slideth back, as a backsliding heifer - The calves which Israel worshiped were pictures of itself. They represented natural, untamed, strength, which, when put to service, started back and…

Israel slideth back - They are untractable, like an unbroken heifer or steer, that pulls back, rather than draw in the yoke.

Will feed them as a lamb in a large place - A species of irony. Ye shall go…

In these verses we have, as before,

I. The sins charged upon the people of Israel, for which God had a controversy with them, and they are,

1. Spiritual whoredom, or idolatry. They have in them a…

slideth back as a backsliding heifer Rather, is stubborn like a stubborn heifer. A favourite figure of the prophets, Hos 11:4; Jer 31:18; comp. Deu 32:15.

now the Lord will feed them as a lamb in a…