Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb.
Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit. The figures, "root," "fruit," are suggested by the word. "Ephraim" - i:e., fruitful (notes, Hosea 9:11-12). "Smitten" - namely, with a blight (Psalms 102:4, "My heart is smitten, and withered like grass").