Yahweh is speaking.

## Israel is swallowed up ##

The tribes of Israel have been taken captive by their enemies and taken away to other lands. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

## like a wild donkey all alone ##

Israel is compared to a wild donkey, an animal that was known to be headstrong and unruly (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

## Ephraim has hired lovers for herself ##

AT: "The people of Israel have tried to pay other nations to protect them." (UDB) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])