No Other God and Savior (13:1-8): Chapter 13 is clearly made up of four originally separate oracles—verses 1–3, 4–8, 9–11, and 12–16. All four oracles probably date from the last years of Hosea’s ministry and from the last years of Hoshea ben Imla’s reign, around 724 BC. Thus, they have probably been set in their present place by a disciple/redactor of the prophet’s work. Shalmaneser V is on the throne of Assyria, soon to be replaced by Sargon II, who will conquer the last remains of the northern kingdom. It is clear that Ephraim’s attempts to free itself from the Assyrian yoke by turning to Egypt are futile. Ephraim’s doom is certain.

The redactor, however, has joined verses 1–3 with verses 4–8 by an introductory waw—probably an adversative waw (But)—at the beginning of verse 4. We shall t…