King James Version

What Does Hosea 2:16 Mean?

Hosea 2:16 in the King James Version says “And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. Ishi: that i...” — study this verse from Hosea chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. Ishi: that is, My husband Baali: that is, My lord”

Hosea 2:16 · KJV

Context

14

Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. comfortably: or, friendly: Heb. to her heart

15

And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

16

And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. Ishi: that is, My husband Baali: that is, My lord

17

For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.

18

And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.

Read Hosea 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Name transformation: 'And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.' Both 'Ishi' and 'Baali' mean 'my husband' in Hebrew, but carry different connotations. 'Ishi' (ishi) emphasizes personal intimacy—'my man,' affectionate. 'Baali' (ba'ali) can mean both 'my master/husband' and sounds like 'my Baal,' tainting covenant language with idolatrous associations. God promises renewed intimacy: calling Him 'Ishi' reflects restored relationship. Refusing 'Baali' severs association with Baal worship—even the sound of Baal's name will be removed. This demonstrates that true repentance changes how we relate to God: from servile obligation ('master') to intimate affection ('beloved husband'). New Testament fulfills this: believers aren't slaves but friends (John 15:15), adopted children (Romans 8:15-17), and the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-32, Revelation 19:7-9). Relationship with God through Christ is intimate, not merely legal.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Hosea's context, Israel's syncretism blurred lines between YHWH and Baal worship—using YHWH's name but adopting Baal's cult practices. God promises purification: future relationship will exclude all Baal association. Post-exilic Judaism developed deep aversion to idolatry, fulfilling this promise partially. Full fulfillment comes through Christ: the new covenant writes God's law internally (Jeremiah 31:31-34), producing heart-level devotion impossible under old covenant. Calling God 'Ishi' reflects Spirit-wrought intimacy, not external compulsion. Paul contrasts slavery and sonship (Galatians 4:1-7): we receive 'spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father' (Romans 8:15). This intimacy fulfills Hosea's promise—personal, affectionate relationship replacing servile, Baal-tainted formality.

Reflection Questions

  1. Do I relate to God as 'Ishi' (intimate beloved) or 'Baali' (distant master)—is my obedience from love or mere duty?
  2. What 'Baals'—tainted associations or syncretistic practices—need removing from my relationship with God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְהָיָ֤ה1 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַיּוֹם2 of 12

“And it shall be at that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַהוּא֙3 of 12
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

נְאֻם4 of 12

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 12

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

תִקְרְאִי6 of 12

“and shalt call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אִישִׁ֑י7 of 12

“me Ishi”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְלֹֽא8 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִקְרְאִי9 of 12

“and shalt call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לִ֥י10 of 12
H0
ע֖וֹד11 of 12
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בַּעְלִֽי׃12 of 12

“me no more Baali”

H1180

baali, a symbolical name for jehovah

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Hosea. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Hosea 2:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Hosea 2:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 54:5Hosea 2:7Revelation 19:7Jeremiah 3:142 Corinthians 11:2John 3:29

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