Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
House of nothingness; i.e., "of idols", a place in the mountains of Benjamin, east of Bethel (Josh. 7:2, 18:12; 1 Sam. 13:5). In Hos. 4:15, 5:8, 10:5 it stands for "Bethel" (q.v.), and it is so called because it was no longer the "house of God," but "the house of idols," referring to the calves there worshipped.