Introduction

When i would heal israel, the iniquity of ephraim is revealed and the evil deeds of samaria. They are like a heated oven whose baker ceases to stir the fire from the kneading of the dough until it is leavened. Verses three to seven are very difficult to interpret. Several understandings of these verses have been advanced by commentators. Perhaps what is in view is a drunken royal banquet employed by conspirators as an occasion for an assassination. There were a few assassinations in the northern kingdom in the course of josea's ministry to which this could possibly refer. The first verse of hosaah should be read as continuing the final line