Ephraim feeds on the wind
Ephraim feeds on wind, pursues the east wind, multiplies lies and violence, and makes covenants with Assyria while sending oil to Egypt.
This verse opens the chapter by portraying Israel's politics and diplomacy as empty, destructive, and unstable.
1Ephraim feeds on the wind 2The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah. 3In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, 4Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; 5the LORD God of Hosts, 6But you must return to your God; 7A merchant loves to defraud 8And Ephraim boasts: “How rich I have become! 9But I am the LORD your God 10I spoke through the prophets 11Is there iniquity in Gilead? 12Jacob fled to the land of Aram 13But by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, 14Ephraim has provoked bitter anger,