The chapter opens by contrasting Ephraim's former prominence with the death brought by idolatry.
1 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling. He exalted himself in Israel, but when he became guilty in Baal, he died.
Idols made by craftsmen receive devotion, but those who trust them will disappear like mist, dew, chaff, and smoke.
2 Now they sin more and more, and have made themselves molten images of their silver, even idols according to their own understanding, all of them the work of the craftsmen. They say of them, ‘They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves.’
3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist, and like the dew that passes away early, like the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing floor, and like the smoke out of the chimney.
The LORD reminds Israel that He alone delivered and sustained them, yet satisfaction led to pride and amnesia.
4 “Yet I am Yahweh your God from the land of Egypt; and you shall acknowledge no god but me, and besides me there is no savior.
5 I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.
6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted. Therefore they have forgotten me.
Animal imagery communicates fierce judgment, while Israel's destruction is attributed to rebellion against the One who helped them.
7 Therefore I am like a lion to them. Like a leopard, I will lurk by the path.
8 I will meet them like a bear that is bereaved of her cubs, and will tear the covering of their heart. There I will devour them like a lioness. The wild animal will tear them.
9 You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against me, against your help.
Israel's desire for kingship is unmasked as a false refuge when kings are given in anger and removed in wrath.
10 Where is your king now, that he may save you in all your cities? And your judges, of whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes?’
11 I have given you a king in my anger, and have taken him away in my wrath.
Ephraim's sin is kept for reckoning, and death/Sheol imagery deepens the sense of judgment while opening a canonical doorway later answered in resurrection victory.
12 The guilt of Ephraim is stored up. His sin is stored up.
13 The sorrows of a travailing woman will come on him. He is an unwise son; for when it is time, he doesn’t come to the opening of the womb.
14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death! Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? “Compassion will be hidden from my eyes.
The east wind dries up Ephraim's prosperity, and Samaria falls under severe covenant judgment.
15 Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come, the breath of Yahweh coming up from the wilderness; and his spring will become dry, and his fountain will be dried up. He will plunder the storehouse of treasure.
16 Samaria will bear her guilt; for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword. Their infants will be dashed in pieces, and their pregnant women will be ripped open.”