Hosea 7:16

They return, but not to the most High Rather, They turn (i.e. shift or change), but not upwards (as Hosea 11:7). They are not content with passive complaints; they have reached a turning-point in their history, but their way only leads them further and further from the -knowledge of God."

like a deceitful bow i.e. like a bow which shoots an arrow in a wrong direction, -not upwards", towards Israel's -strong rock", but earthwards. Cf. the same figure in Psalms 78:57.

for the rage of their tongue -Rage"; or insolence (i.e. towards God). The root-meaning (as gathered from Arabic) is to make a grumbling sound, like an irritated camel. Hence the appropriateness of the mention of the tongue. The verb is sometimes rendered -to curse."

their derision in the land of Egypt Probably an embassy had boasted of Israel's strength, to entice the Egyptians into an alliance. We may probably assume that the -sword" by which the princes were to fall is that of the Assyrians.