“Ephraim is oppressed.

He is crushed in judgment.

Because he was determined

To go after vanity.

Therefore,

I am

Like maggots

To Ephraim.

I am

Like dry rot

To the house of Judah.”

Ephraim was oppressed and crushed, because of their vanity. Thus, Yahweh became like maggot flies to them. Not only was this true about Ephraim, but also about Judah. Yahweh had become like dry rotted wood to them. Things were not good for Ephraim or Judah.