1 When I would haue healed Israel, then the iniquitie of Ephraim was discouered, and the wickednesse of Samaria: for they commit falsehood: and the thiefe commeth in, and the troupe of robbers spoileth without.
2 And they consider not in their hearts that I remember al their wickednesse: now their owne doings haue beset them about, they are before my face.
3 They make the king glad with their wickednesse, and the princes with their lies.
4 They are al adulterers, as an ouen heated by the baker: who ceaseth from raising after he hath kneaded the dough, vntill it be leauened.
5 In the day of our King, the princes haue made him sicke with bottels of wine, he stretched out his hand with scorners.
6 For they haue made ready their heart like an ouen, whiles they lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night, in the morning it burneth as a flaming fire.
7 They are all hot as an ouen, and haue deuoured their Iudges; all their Kings are fallen, there is none among them that calleth vnto me.
8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himselfe among the people, Ephraim is a cake not turned.
9 Strangers haue deuoured his strength, and hee knoweth it not: yea, gray haires are here and there vpon him, yet he knoweth not.
10 And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face, and they doe not returne to the Lord their God, nor seeke him for all this.
11 ¶ Ephraim also is like a silly doue, without heart: they call to Egypt; they goe to Assyria.
12 When they shall goe, I wil spread my net vpon them, I will bring them downe as the foules of the heauen: I will chastise them as their congregation hath heard.
13 Woe vnto them, for they haue fled from me: destruction vnto them, because they haue transgressed against me, though I haue redeemed them, yet they haue spoken lies against me.
14 And they haue not cryed vnto me with their heart, when they howled vpon their beds: they assemble themselues for corne and wine, and they rebell against me.
15 Though I haue bound, and strengthened their armes, yet doe they imagine mischiefe against me.
16 They returne, but not to the most High: they are like a deceitfull bow: their princes shall fall by the sword, for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
The manifold sins of Israel. (1-7) Their senselessness and hypocrisy. (8-16)1-7 A practical disbelief of God's government was at the bottom of all israel's wickedness; as if God could not see it or did not heed it. Their sins appear on every side of them. Their hearts were inflamed by evil desires, like a heated oven. In the midst of their troubles as a nation, the people never thought of seeking help from God. The actual wickedness of men's lives bears a very small proportion to what is in their hearts. But when lust is inwardly cherished, it will break forth into outward sin. Those who tempt others to drunkenness never can be their real friends, and often design their ruin. Thus men execute the Divine vengeance on each other. Those are not only heated with sin, but hardened in sin, who continue to live without prayer, even when in trouble and distress.
8-16 Israel was as a cake not turned, half burnt and half dough, none of it fit for use; a mixture of idolatry and of the worship of Jehovah. There were tokens of approaching ruin, as grey hairs are of old age, but they noticed them not. The pride which leads to break the law of God leads to self-flattery. The mercy and grace of God are the only refuge to which obstinate sinners never think of fleeing. Though they may howl forth their terrors in the form of prayers, they seldom cry to God with their hearts. Even their prayers for earthly mercies only seek fuel for their lusts. Their turning from one sect, sentiment, form, or vice, to another, still leaves them far short of Christ and holiness. Such are we by nature. And such shall we prove if left to ourselves. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.