Footnote

b Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, married men and women are referred to far more often as “husband” (Hebrew, ʼish) and “wife” (Hebrew, ʼish·shahʹ). In Eden, for example, the terms Jehovah used were, not “owner” and ‘owned one,’ but “husband” and “wife.” (Genesis 2:24; 3:16, 17) Hosea’s prophecy foretold that after returning from exile, Israel would repentantly call Jehovah “My husband,” and no longer “My owner.” This may suggest that the term “husband” had a more tender connotation than “owner.”​—Hosea 2:16.