Hosea 2:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The restored relationship is marked by intimacy: the people will call the Lord 'my husband,' not 'my master.'
What Does Hosea 2:16 Mean?
Both Hebrew words being contrasted mean roughly 'my husband,' but they carry different flavors. Ishi means 'my man, my husband' in warm, personal terms; Baali means 'my master, my lord' and dangerously echoes the name Baal. God says the renewed bond will be spoken in the language of intimacy, not of distant ownership, and the very sound of the idol will vanish from her lips.
This is the heart of restored covenant -- relationship moving from formality to affection, from servitude to love. God desires to be known not merely as Master but as Husband, near and beloved. The change of a single name marks the whole transformation: a people who once feared a lord now delight in a faithful, tender partner.
Hosea 2:16 in the Original Language
Ishi (אִישִׁי), 'my husband' -- an affectionate term of intimacy, contrasted with Baali, 'my master.'
Frequently Asked Questions About Hosea 2:16
What does Hosea 2:16 mean?
The restored relationship is marked by intimacy: the people will call the Lord 'my husband,' not 'my master.'