We meet with this word Hosea 2:16. Our translators have thought proper to preserve the word in its original, giving the meaning of it in the margin, my husband. And it becomes a subject of no small concern to ask the cause wherefore the translators have thought proper to do so? I do not presume to speak decidedly to the point, and to determine what their designs were; yet I venture to conjecture, and shall give the reader my opinion.
Let the reader first observe, that the prophet was commissioned to tell the church, that in the gospel-day, when the glorious Messiah, whom the church had been all along expecting, should come, the church should know the Lord by this name Ishi, my husband, or my man; and should drop the common name of Baali, my Lord: as if this was not sufficiently expressive of the nearness and dearness between them. The church was then to know here Lord in his human nature, as well as his GODHEAD, and in the union of both as her Lord her Righteousness. Now then, saith the Lord Jesus, (for observe it is Jesus himself that is the speaker in this chapter) now then, thou shalt call me by that tender and endearing name, in the nature that I shall then openly appear in among you, my man. I have been from everlasting the Husband and Head of my church, in the secret transactions of covenant redemption; but in that day when I shall openly manifest myself in that character I will be called Ishi: "for my people shall know my name, therefore they shall in that day know that I am he that doth speak, behold, it is I!" (Isaiah 52:6) Reader think if of the love and tenderness of thy Jesus! Was there ever such grace manifested as by him? Who but must love him? Who but must delight in him? Yes, Lord, I will do as thou hast said, and call thee Ishi, my Husband, my man, and also the Lord my Righteousness!
See Ammi