4:12 a piece of wood. Lit. “their wood.” This may refer to the Asherah pole beside a Canaanite shrine (Deut. 16:21; Judg. 6:25–32), to some other deity (Hab. 2:18, 19), or to a sacred tree thought to give oracles (Judg. 9:37).

staff. Probably a divining rod, or perhaps a small figurine of Asherah.

spirit of whoredom. Their spiritual adultery is caused by an intoxicating and seductive power that draws them continuously into sin (“spirit of confusion,’’ Is. 19:14; “spirit of deep sleep,” Is. 29:10).