there). Three times those who refuse to return to YHWH are threatened with a “return to Egypt” (8:13; 9:3; 11:5). In 9:3 Hosea employs a pun on the verbs “dwell” (yāšab) and “return” (šûb). Disobedient Israel will not be able to “dwell” in YHWH’s land, but will “return” to Egypt. The saying in Hos. 6:1 is rooted in cultic practice as the context intimates. Hosea declares in 6:6 a preference for loving-kindness/loyalty and knowledge of God rather than sacrifice and burnt offerings. And there are