BAKER
In Egypt, Pharaoh had a servant called “chief baker” (Gen. 40:1-22; 41:10).
In Israel, the preparation of bread was carried out by the women of each household:
Abraham instructed Sarah to prepare bread by baking it under her embers (Gen. 18:6).
Samuel announced to the Israelites that if they wanted to become a king, he would take some of his maidens to be “kneaders” for him (1 Sam. 8:13, the same term as in Gen. 40: 1-22).
In Jerusalem there was a part of the city in which the bakers resided, and Jeremiah was assigned his ration of bread which was to be obtained for him in Bakers Street while there was stock (Jer. 37:21).
In Os. 7:4, 6 the heating of the furnace is used figuratively as a description of those who, as it were, were preparing their evil designs and anxiously awaiting the time when they could most fully fulfill them.