For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.
For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion - the black lion х shachal (H7826)] and the young lion х kªpiyr (H3715)] are emblems of strength and ferocity (Psalms 91:13). He who had seemed in his judgments but as a tiny "moth" fretting a garment was now about to become as a fierce roaring lion (so the Hebrew is literally), tearing to nieces in a moment. As the roaring lion awaits Ephraim, the older offender, so the young lion awaits Judah, whose apostasy was more recent.
I, even I, will tear - emphatic: when I, even I, the irresistible God, tear in pieces, no Assyrian power can rescue (Psalms 50:22, "Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver").
And go away - as a lion stalks leisurely back with his prey to his lair.