“When Ephraim
Multiplied altars
To expiate sin,
They became to him
Altars for sinning.
Although I write
For him
The multitude
Of my instructions,
They are regarded
As a strange thing.
Although they offer
Choice sacrifices,
Yahweh does not accept them.
Although they eat
Sacrificed offerings,
Yahweh does not accept them.
Now he will remember
Their iniquity.
He will punish
Their sins.
They shall return
To Egypt.”
The territory of Ephraim, in the northern Israelite kingdom, multiplied the number of altars to ask for forgiveness of sins. In the eyes of Yahweh, they were actually altars of sinning. Yahweh had given them plenty of instructions, but they regarded them as strange sayings, ignoring them. They tried to offer choice sacrifice offerings and eat them. However, Yahweh would not accept them. Instead, he remembered their iniquity. He wanted to punish them for their sins. One of the punishments was to send them back to Egypt.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 