"Though you, Israel, play the prostitute, Yet don't let Judah offend; And don't come to Gilgal, Neither go up to Beth Aven, Nor swear, 'As Yahweh lives.'
The "Bethaven" of this place is actually a derogatory name for Bethel, both Hosea and Amos using it (Amos 5:5), substituting Beth-aven (place of vanity) for Beth-el (place of God).  We reject the pedantic objection of Mauchline that, "this reference to Judah is quite undeveloped."[41]  It has all of the development that it needs, having the full meaning that Judah should not walk in the rebellious ways of Israel.