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The days of visitation have arrived, the days of payment have come, Israel shall know, the
prophet is evil, mad [Hebrew: "Meshuga"] a man of [a?]spirit because of your transgres-
sion and of great hatred (9:7).

Ephraim looked out with the god of the prophet, a hidden snare on all his paths, hatred in
the house of his god (9:8).

The Greek Septuagint version of the Old Testament renders these verses as follows --

Rejoice not, O Israel, neither make merry, as other nations: for thou hast gone a-whoring
from thy God; thou hast loved gifts upon every threshing-floor.

They dwelt not in the Lord's land: Ephraim dwelt in Egypt, and they shall eat unclean things
among the Assyrians.

Therefore, behold, they go forth from the trouble of Egypt, and Memphis shall receive
them, and Machmas [Mohammed?] shall bury them: as for their silver, destruction shall
inherit it; thorns shall be in their tents.

The days of vengeance are come, the days of thy recompense are come; and Israel shall be
afflicted as the prophet that is mad, as a man deranged: by reason of the multitude of
thine iniquities thy madness has abounded.

The watchman of Ephraim was with God: the prophet is a crooked snare in all his ways:
they have established madness in the house of God.

As mentioned above, "The mad prophet" was considered by some (e.g. Maimonides,
1135-1204, in his Letter to Teman) to be a reference to Mohammed and the name of Mohammed
(in Hebrew and Arabic: "Machmad") does appear in the passage. The desert sun, sparse diet, and se-
clusion (as well as the possible use of hashish and various weeds smoked by some of the Arabs) are
liable to play tricks on the highly-strung spiritually inclined individuals. Historically, the Arabian Jews
whom Mohammed massacred may have been an offshoot from the Lost Ten Tribes, i.e. "Ephraim."

Regarding the future the message of Hosea may be a warning that the forces of Islam are a dan-
ger and association with them threatens disaster upon Ephraim which mainly means Great Britain
though a portion of Ephraim is also to be found amongst the Jews and in North America, South Africa,
and Australia. The said verses may well contain a hint that Ephraim will attempt some type of rapport
with "the god of the prophet" and this will not turn out well.
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Biographical Note: Maimonides ("Rambam," 1135-1204). Born in Spain. One of the greatest

Jewish legal authorities and religious philosophers. Served as personal physician to Saladin King of
Egypt, and according to legend was offered a post by Richard I of England.

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