Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 7:8

8 Ephraim he hath mixed himself among the people : Ephraim is a cake not turned .

The Kingdom of Israel.

By Leagues and Commerce, by Imitation of their manners, and by either entertaining their Gods, and Sacrificing to them, or at least worshipping Idols as the Nations about them did; directly contrary to the express Law of God, Deut. 7.2, 3, 4. and 12.2, 3. this was their sin, and the greater because Voluntary; the expression seems to represent it as a thing of their own seeking, they did mix themselves with the Heathen, whereas had the Heathen sought it, 'twou'd in likelyhood have been said that the Nations mixed themselves with Ephraim; but this is in other words the same with chap. 2.5, 7. or this passage may be (as some conceive) a threat that the Ephraimites should be scatter'd among the Nations, be Captives to them, and dispersed amongst them, with whom to ease their condition a little, they should endeavour to mix by Friendship and Alliances; if so, this is the punishment of their former sinful Confederacies.

Some interpret this of the Party-colour'd temper of Ephraim, by such a Proverb as ours, is neither Fish nor Flesh, neither Israelite, nor Heathen, but a Mungril; neither a Heathen Idolater, nor yet a worshipper of God, a hotch potch of different Religions and Policies, like them; 1 King. 18.21. and Zeph. 1.5. neither Bread, nor yet Dough, but partly both, as the unturned Cake on the coals is: But it better expresseth their danger and sudden ruine, whose hungry Enemies will eat them up quickly▪ as men do, who for haste will not stay the full baking of their Cake.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 6:35.