The iniquity, in the singular, instead of the plural, all the iniquities and sins, of Ephraim, the kingdom of the ten tribes, is bound up; as indictments drawn up and tied together against the day of trial; or as bills and bonds tied up that they may be ready against the day of account, when all must be paid. Or, as sins unpardoned; for to loose sins is to forgive, and to bind sins is to charge them upon the sinner, Matthew 16:19. O Ephraim, thine unpardoned sins lie in account against thee, thou shalt hear of them and smart for them. His sin is hid; not from God, but laid up with God against the day of recompence, as Job 21:19: so Romans 2:5 Deuteronomy 32:34.
Related Commentaries of Hosea 13:12
Hosea 13:12
12 The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.