Charles Ellicott Commentary Hosea 13:1

"When Ephraim spake, there was trembling; he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died." — Hosea 13:1 (ASV)

There is a difference of opinion regarding the construction and rendering of this verse. We adopt the interpretation, When Ephraim uttered terror, he rebelled in Israel; then he committed sin through Baal, and died. This points to the revolt of the Ten Tribes, and the resulting abandonment of the pure traditions of Jehovah worship for those of Baal. This idea and that of the previous verse (Hosea 12:14) may have been brought into prominence by the recent adverse antagonism aroused by the Syro-Ephraimitish war against Judah.