an empty vine. a productive or luxurious vine. Hebrew. vine emptying or yielding its fruit. See notes on Judges 9:8-13. Hebrew. gephen. Always feminine except here and 2 Kings 4:39. Here because it refers to Israel: i.e. to the people.
fruit. Note the Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6) in the varying inflections of the words, "fruit", "multiply", and "good"; and the Figure of speech Synonymia in "altars" and "images"; all to increase the emphasis of the contrast. See note on Hosea 9:8 ("watchman").
unto himself. like himself: i.e. not for Me.
according to. Note the Figure of speech Anaphora (App-6).
multitude... increased. The same word. images. pillars: i.e. 'Asherahs (App-42). Hebrew. mazsebah = upright (erect) pillars.