And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught, and loveth to tread out the corn; but I passed over upon her fair neck: I will make Ephraim to ride; Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods.
And Ephraim is as an heifer that is taught - i:e., accustomed.
And loveth to tread out the corn - a far easier and more self-indulgent work than plowing: in treading grain cattle were not bound together under a yoke, but either trod it singly with their feet, or drew a threshing-sledge over it (Isaiah 28:27-28): they were free to eat some of the grain from time to time, as the law required they should be unmuzzled (Deuteronomy 25:4), so that they grew fat in this work. An image of Israel's freedom, prosperity, and self-indulgence heretofore. But now God will put the Assyrian yoke upon her-instead of freedom, putting her to servile Work.
I passed over upon her fair neck - I put the yoke upon it.
I will make Ephraim to ride - as in Job 30:22, "Thou causest me to ride upon it" (the wind) - i:e., I will hurry Ephraim away to a distant region (Calvin). Lyra translates, 'I will make (the Assyrian) to ride upon Ephraim.' Maurer, 'I will make Ephraim to carry' namely, a charioteer. I prefer Lyra's view. Compare Psalms 66:12, "Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads."
Judah shall plow, and Jacob shall break his clods - `the clods before him;' i:e. "Judah," too, shall not escape judgment. He shall "plow:" and in fact, the whore posterity of "Jacob" shall have to "break the clods" before them, as well as Ephraim, the royal tribe, upon which the yoke shall press most heavily, a rider being made by me to ride over him.