Hosea 8:9

"For they are gone up to Assyria, like a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers."

The close proximity of these two figures of speech is puzzling, but apparently, the implied deduction is that Ephraim was more stupid than a renegade wild ass that kept his independence by remaining alone; but Ephraim made alliance with his enemies which resulted in his destruction. It is usually alleged that the wild asses went in companies; and therefore, this should be understood as a renegade. This interpretation just given is actually based upon some of the various readings, of which there are many in this part of . Hosea. In line with the text of our version (American Standard Version), it appears that Ephraim is like the wild, renegade ass in that he went stubbornly about doing his own thing, without any regard whatever for any restrictions, whether of common sense or divine commandment.