Bible Strands
Hosea 7:8
Ephraim mixes with the nations; Ephraim is an unturned cake.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet Hosea addresses the northern kingdom of Israel, specifically the tribe of Ephraim, during a period of political collapse and spiritual abandonment. He delivers this warning as their rulers repeatedly fall without calling upon God.
The words — יִתְבּוֹלָל (yitbo.lal) means he mixes himself, and עֻגָה ('ugah) denotes a bread cake. The text states that Ephraim actively blends with surrounding peoples and becomes an unturned cake.
The thread — This theme of unlawful mingling with foreign nations appears in Psalms 106:35, Ezra 9:12, and Nehemiah 13:23. These passages consistently condemn Israel for adopting foreign customs and intermarrying with surrounding peoples.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that political alliances and cultural assimilation actively drain national strength. It requires the reader to acknowledge that spiritual blindness prevents the recognition of this self-inflicted decay.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
Cross-references
- Psalms 106:35 but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs.
- Ezra 9:12 Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’
- Nehemiah 13:23 In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
- Ezra 9:1 After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.
- Malachi 2:11 Judah has broken faith; an abomination has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem. For Judah has profaned the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying the daughter of a foreign god.
- 1 Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.
- Hosea 5:7 They have been unfaithful to the LORD; for they have borne illegitimate children. Now the New Moon will devour them along with their land.
- Hosea 5:13 When Ephraim saw his sickness and Judah his wound, then Ephraim turned to Assyria and sent to the great king. But he cannot cure you or heal your wound.
- Hosea 8:2 Israel cries out to Me, “O our God, we know You!”
- Hosea 9:3 They will not remain in the land of the LORD; Ephraim will return to Egypt and eat unclean food in Assyria.