“Yahweh God

Has sworn by himself.

Says Yahweh!

The God of hosts!

‘I abhor the pride

Of Jacob!

I hate his strongholds!

I will deliver up

The city

With all that is in it.’”

Yahweh was going to punish the city of Samaria. Yahweh had sworn to himself in this oracle of Yahweh, the God of heavenly hosts. Yahweh said that he abhorred the pride of Jacob, that is Israel. He also hated their fortresses. He was going to deliver up the city of Samaria with everything in it.