Charles Ellicott Commentary Hosea 4:17

"Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone." — Hosea 4:17 (ASV)

Ephraim ... idols.— The prophet calls on Judah to leave Ephraim to himself. The Jewish interpreters Rashi and Kimchi understand this as the appeal of Jehovah to the prophet to leave Israel to her fate, so that perhaps her eyes might be opened to discern her doom.