When I would heal Israel, Then the iniquity of Ephraim is uncovered, Also the wickedness of Samaria; For they commit falsehood, And the thief enters in, And the gang of robbers ravages outside.
In this verse, as extensively in Hosea, both Ephraim and Samaria are used as alternate names of the northern Israel, Ephraim being the largest and dominant tribe, and Samaria being the capital city, the residence of their kings, and location of the principal commercial enterprises of the country.