הושע, פרק י״ב, פסוק ב׳

The Kingdom of Israel, referred to as Ephraim, is trapped in a cycle of chasing empty illusions, pursuing a destructive path both spiritually and politically. Rather than relying on God, the nation engages in futile actions that ultimately lead to its downfall.

The primary approach among commentators is that the nation's attempt to feed on the wind symbolizes an obsession with lies and meaningless pursuits. The imagery of grazing highlights the sheer absurdity of a person opening their mouth to eat the wind, expecting it to sustain them [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others suggest that this relationship is one of companionship, indicating that the people are actively befriending and attaching themselves to empty things [רש״י]. This emptiness points directly to a crisis of faith, specifically the idolatrous worship of golden calves [רש״י, רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

Chasing the fierce east wind reinforces the idea of pursuing something impossible to catch [מצודת דוד]. However, the specific presence of the east wind adds a layer of severe danger. Idolatry is not merely useless like an ordinary breeze; it is actively harmful and destructive, just as a violent east wind damages those caught in its path [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This spiritual rot naturally bleeds into the fabric of society. The nation is consumed all day by lies, false beliefs, and social oppression [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. A double collapse occurs: religious corruption in their relationship with God is matched by robbery and extortion between neighbors, sealing their punishment and ruin [רד״ק, מלבי״ם].

In times of trouble, instead of abandoning their evil ways, the leaders resort to a treacherous and unstable foreign policy. They attempt to play both sides of a major conflict. On one hand, they make a treaty with the Assyrian empire. At the exact same time, they send fine, expensive olive oil—a prized product of the land of Israel—as a gift and bribe to the king of Egypt, hoping for his military support against their enemies [רש״י, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, רד״ק]. This double loyalty to hostile powers is not only dishonest [ביאור שטיינזלץ], but it also creates a deadly trap. By signing a treaty with Assyria and becoming its subjects, sending bribes to Egypt is viewed as an act of open rebellion. Ultimately, this deceitful political maneuvering is the very trigger that brings about their total destruction and exile [מלבי״ם].