Judgment against Israel’s Hypocrisy

Israel has been struck but has not returned to the LORD, so He cuts off both head and tail, from respected elder to lying prophet. The problem is not merely bad circumstances but corrupt leadership that misguides the people and leaves those who follow it swallowed up in confusion.

B¹³ut the people did not return to Him who struck them; ¹⁴So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, ¹⁵The head is the elder and honorable man, ¹⁶For those who guide this people mislead them,

The social rot is so deep that the Lord withholds His usual delight and pity even from groups normally named for compassion, because everyone is profane, evil, and foul in speech. The refrain returns to show that moral collapse across the whole body keeps wrath active.

¹⁷Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men;