# his brothers This expression seems to stand for the nations around the northern kingdom, especially Judah, the southern kingdom. # an east wind will come; the wind of Yahweh A wind from the east was very hot and destructive. Here it refers to the armies from the east that Yahweh will send to destroy the people of Israel. # Ephraim's spring will dry up, and his well will have no water Hosea continues to describe how God will punish the people of Israel. Here water represents life, vitality, and strength. # his storehouse This refers to all of the peoples' possessions.