The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid.
The iniquity of Ephraim is bound up; his sin is hid - treasures, meant to be kept, are bound up and hidden; i:e., do not flatter yourselves, because of the delay, that I have forgotten your sin. Nay (Hosea 9:9), Ephraim's iniquity is kept as it were safely sealed up, until the due time comes for bringing it forth for punishment (Deuteronomy 32:34; Job 14:17; Job 21:19, "God layeth up his iniquity for his children; he rewardeth him; and he shall know it;" cf. Romans 2:5). Opposed to "blotting out the handwriting against" the sinner (Colossians 2:14).