Book of Hosea Chapter 9 Vs. 16

 The Lord Will Punish Israel

Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay even the beloved fruit of their womb. Hos. 9:16

Ephraim is smitten, ... Though Ephraim had a beautiful geographical situation, and experienced the abundant blessing of God, yet barrenness of land and womb, as well as near extinction, awaited them.

yet will I... God is so angry with them, that even the children they bear will not live. The wrath of God has come forth upon them. God even smote the root.

Ironically, because of widespread sterility and infant mortality (Hos. 9:11-14), Ephraim, once a symbol of fruitfulness, would be compared to a withered plant incapable of bearing fruit. Because of her disobedience Israel would be rejected by God (cf. Hos. 4:6).

Some of the warnings which Hosea enforces with regard to this sin have been instinctively felt by mankind since the beginnings of civilization and are found expressed among the proverbs of nearly all the languages. But I am unaware of any earlier moralist in any literature who traced the effects of national licentiousness in a diminishing population, or who exposed the persistent delusion of libertine men that they themselves may resort to vice yet keep their womankind chaste. Hosea, so far as we know, was the first to do this. History in many periods has confirmed the justice of his observations, and by one strong voice after another enforced his terrible warnings.

Ironically, because of widespread sterility and infant mortality (Hos. 9:11-14), Ephraim, once a symbol of fruitfulness, would be compared to a withered plant incapable of bearing fruit.