Indeed, they will hear meaningless gibberish, senseless babbling, a syllable here, a syllable there.

So the Lord’s word to them will sound like meaningless gibberish, senseless babbling, a syllable here, a syllable there. As a result, they will fall on their backsides when they try to walk, and be injured, ensnared, and captured.

Ephraim will be oppressed, crushed under judgment, because he was determined to pursue worthless idols.