Hosea 8:7

The consequences of Israel's evil conduct and policy are here represented under the figure of sowing and reaping. But the form of the figure is varied. First, Israel sows wind and reaps whirlwind, i.e. his present conduct is unprofitable to himself, and the requital of it shall be actual destruction. Next, though Israel sows a corn-plant, it never grows up to its full size ( it, i.e. Israel, hath no standing corn); or if it does, it either yields the farmer no meal, or its meal is seized upon by the enemy, i.e. the worldly results of Israel's policy are never good, and any wealth that it attains passes into the hands of the enemy.

the bud shall yield no meal In the Hebrew there is a characteristic play upon sounds, the çemakhyields no qemakh.