Isaiah 28:3

KJV

The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

KJV (with Strong's)

The crown {H5850} of pride {H1348}, the drunkards {H7910} of Ephraim {H669}, shall be trodden {H7429} under feet {H7272}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The haughty crown of Efrayim's drunks is trampled underfoot;

Berean Standard Bible

The majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot.

American Standard Version

The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under foot:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 28:3 delivers a stark prophetic indictment and warning against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly its leading tribe, Ephraim. The verse vividly portrays their impending humiliation and destruction, declaring that the "crown of pride," symbolizing Samaria's arrogant self-assurance and the nation's spiritual intoxication, would be utterly trampled underfoot. This pronouncement underscores God's righteous judgment against a people steeped in moral decay, spiritual complacency, and a defiant rejection of divine wisdom, foreshadowing their inevitable subjugation and exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 28 initiates a series of "Woe" oracles directed at various nations and groups, beginning specifically with Ephraim (Israel). Verses 1-4 describe Samaria, the capital of Ephraim, as a "fading flower" and a "crown of pride" that is ripe for judgment. The prophet highlights their spiritual drunkenness and moral depravity, contrasting it sharply with the Lord's future establishment of a true "crown of glory" for His remnant (v. 5). Verse 3, therefore, serves as a direct declaration of the consequence for their arrogance and sin, detailing the humiliation that will befall this once-proud city and nation. It is immediately followed by a description of Samaria's swift demise, like an early fig devoured before harvest (v. 4), emphasizing the suddenness and completeness of their downfall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Isaiah's prophecy (late 8th century BCE), the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) was in a state of political instability and moral decline, despite periods of apparent prosperity. Samaria, its capital, was strategically located on a hill, giving it a sense of impregnability and contributing to the inhabitants' "crown of pride." Culturally, widespread idolatry, social injustice, and rampant drunkenness characterized their society, leading to spiritual blindness and a disregard for God's covenant. The "drunkards of Ephraim" were not merely literal revelers but represented a nation spiritually intoxicated and oblivious to the impending threat of the Assyrian Empire, which God would use as His instrument of judgment. This context highlights the stark contrast between their perceived strength and God's impending, devastating intervention.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment on Pride**. The "crown of pride" is a direct target of God's wrath, illustrating the biblical principle that [pride precedes destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride and Destruction"). Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Moral and Spiritual Decay**. The "drunkards of Ephraim" metaphorically represents a people dulled by sin, unable to discern God's warnings or respond to His call for repentance, leading to their vulnerability. Finally, the imagery of being "trodden under feet" vividly portrays **Utter Humiliation and Conquest**, a recurring theme in prophetic warnings against nations that defy God. This judgment serves as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to righteousness, even through severe discipline, as seen in His dealings with Israel throughout [the book of Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "The Book of Isaiah - Prophecies of Judgment and Salvation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **crown (Hebrew, _ʻăṭârâh'_):** From the root meaning "to surround," this term refers to a garland, diadem, or crown. In this context (H5850), it signifies Samaria's perceived glory, beauty, and strategic eminence. However, when combined with "pride," it becomes a symbol of their misplaced confidence and self-exaltation rather than a divinely bestowed honor.
* **pride (Hebrew, _gêʼûwth'_):** This word (H1348) denotes arrogance, majesty, or a lifting up. Here, it specifically points to the haughty and self-sufficient attitude of Ephraim, stemming from their material prosperity and strategic location. It implies a defiant self-exaltation that stands in direct opposition to God's authority and wisdom.
* **drunkards (Hebrew, _shikkôwr'_):** This term (H7910) describes one who is intoxicated, either as a state or a habit. In Isaiah 28, it carries both a literal meaning (widespread revelry) and a profound metaphorical sense, referring to the spiritual stupor and moral insensitivity of the nation, blinding them to God's warnings and their impending doom.
* **trodden (Hebrew, _râmaç'_):** This primitive root (H7429) means to tread upon, stamp upon, or trample, often used in the context of military conquest or abusive subjugation. Combined with "under feet" (H7272, _regel_), it forms a vivid idiom signifying complete defeat, humiliation, and utter destruction, where the victor asserts dominance by literally walking over the vanquished.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The crown of pride,"**: This phrase refers to Samaria, the capital of Ephraim, and by extension, the entire Northern Kingdom. It metaphorically describes their perceived glory, prosperity, and strategic position as a "crown." However, the addition of "of pride" immediately identifies the fatal flaw: their self-exaltation and arrogant confidence in their own strength and wisdom, rather than reliance on God. This "crown" is not a symbol of divine blessing but of human hubris.
* **"the drunkards of Ephraim,"**: This segment identifies the people of the Northern Kingdom, particularly their leaders and elite, as those characterized by excessive indulgence and spiritual stupor. "Drunkards" not only points to literal intoxication but also to a moral and spiritual insensitivity that rendered them oblivious to God's covenant, His warnings through the prophets, and the imminent danger from foreign powers. Their judgment was a consequence of this pervasive moral decay.
* **"shall be trodden under feet:"**: This powerful and graphic imagery prophesies the complete and utter defeat, subjugation, and public humiliation of Ephraim. To be "trodden under feet" was a common ancient Near Eastern idiom for total conquest, where the victorious army would literally trample their defeated enemies or their symbols of power. It signifies the complete dismantling of their pride, their perceived glory, and their national sovereignty by an invading force (Assyria), serving as God's instrument of judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 28:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of impending judgment. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where Samaria and the Northern Kingdom are depicted as "the crown of pride" and "the drunkards of Ephraim." The "crown" symbolizes their perceived glory and security, which is immediately undermined by the descriptor "of pride," highlighting its human, rather than divine, origin and its inherent fragility. The "drunkards" metaphorically represents their spiritual and moral stupor, their inability to discern divine truth or respond to prophetic warnings. **Personification** is also present, as the abstract concept of pride is given a "crown," and the nation itself is characterized by the human vice of drunkenness. Furthermore, the phrase "shall be trodden under feet" is a potent **Idiom**, a common expression in the ancient world signifying complete defeat, subjugation, and public humiliation, often involving literal trampling by conquerors. This vivid imagery creates a strong sense of **Irony**, as the very "crown" that symbolized their pride and security is prophesied to be the object of utter disgrace and destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 28:3 stands as a profound theological statement on God's unwavering opposition to human pride and moral depravity. It reveals that unchecked arrogance, spiritual complacency, and a lifestyle of indulgence inevitably lead to divine judgment and humiliation. This verse underscores the principle that true security and exaltation come only from God, not from human strength, prosperity, or self-sufficiency. It serves as a stark reminder that God, in His sovereignty, will bring down those who exalt themselves, using even pagan nations as instruments of His righteous wrath to purify His people and uphold His holiness. The downfall of Ephraim is not merely a historical event but a timeless illustration of the consequences of rejecting God's covenant and embracing spiritual intoxication.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride goes before destruction")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble")
* [1 Peter 5:5](/1_peter/5-5 "1 Peter 5:5 - Clothe yourselves with humility")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 28:3 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for individuals and communities today. The "crown of pride" can manifest in various forms: intellectual arrogance, self-reliance in material wealth, or a complacent spiritual state that believes itself immune to correction or judgment. When we become "drunkards" in a spiritual sense, we are dulled to the voice of God, indifferent to His truth, and oblivious to the dangers of sin and the enemy's schemes. This verse calls us to profound humility, recognizing that all true strength and glory come from God alone. It challenges us to examine our hearts for any areas where pride has taken root or where spiritual complacency has led to a dulling of our senses. Living a "sober-minded" life, as the New Testament often encourages, means being vigilant, discerning, and responsive to God's Word, avoiding the spiritual intoxication that blinds us to His will and His impending judgments. We are called to walk in humility, acknowledging our dependence on God and seeking His wisdom above all else, lest our own "crown of pride" be brought low.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be wearing a "crown of pride," relying on my own strength or achievements rather than God's grace?**
* **How might I be spiritually "drunk" or complacent, leading to insensitivity to God's voice or the needs of others?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater humility and spiritual vigilance in my daily life?**
* **How does the judgment on Ephraim encourage me to take God's warnings about sin and pride more seriously?**

### FAQ
**Who were the "drunkards of Ephraim" and what does their description signify?**

Answer: The "drunkards of Ephraim" refers to the inhabitants of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly its capital, Samaria, and its leaders. While it likely included literal drunkenness, the phrase carries a deeper metaphorical meaning. It signifies their spiritual and moral intoxication, a state of insensitivity and heedlessness due to widespread indulgence, idolatry, and a rejection of God's covenant. This spiritual stupor blinded them to the prophetic warnings and the impending judgment from God through the Assyrians. It highlights a nation so consumed by worldly pleasures and self-reliance that they became oblivious to their true spiritual condition and the dangers that lay ahead, as seen in their persistent rebellion despite divine warnings in [Hosea 4:11](/hosea/4-11 "Hosea 4:11 - Wine and new wine take away the understanding").

**What does it mean for the "crown of pride" to be "trodden under feet"?**

Answer: "The crown of pride" refers to Samaria, the capital of Ephraim, which was situated on a hill and considered itself glorious and impregnable. It symbolized the nation's arrogant self-confidence and misplaced trust in its own strength and prosperity. To be "trodden under feet" is a vivid and common biblical idiom for complete military conquest, subjugation, and utter humiliation. It implies that the conquering army (Assyria, in this case) would utterly defeat, dismantle, and publicly disgrace Samaria, symbolically trampling over its perceived glory and power. This imagery underscores the completeness of God's judgment and the reversal of their proud status, as also described in [Psalm 44:5](/psalm/44-5 "Psalm 44:5 - Through You we push down our foes").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 28:3 speaks of the judgment upon Ephraim's pride and spiritual drunkenness, it ultimately points forward to the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills God's righteous judgment and offers true liberation from spiritual intoxication. The "crown of pride" that was trodden underfoot foreshadows the ultimate dismantling of all human pride and self-exaltation through Christ's humble submission. He, the true King, did not come wearing a crown of earthly pride but a [crown of thorns](/matthew/27-29 "Matthew 27:29 - Jesus' Crown of Thorns"), enduring humiliation to conquer sin and pride at the cross. Furthermore, while Ephraim was spiritually "drunk," Christ offers the living water and the Spirit, providing true spiritual sobriety and discernment. He is the one who delivers us from the intoxicating effects of sin and worldliness, inviting us to a life of humility and dependence on God. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ became the "crown of glory" for His people, not one based on human arrogance but on divine righteousness and grace, offering eternal salvation to all who humble themselves and believe in Him, as foretold in [Isaiah 28:5-6](/isaiah/28-5 "Isaiah 28:5-6 - The Lord as a Crown of Glory") and fulfilled in the New Covenant through [His victory over sin and death](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph over Powers").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 26:6

The foot shall tread it down, [even] the feet of the poor, [and] the steps of the needy.

Hebrews 10:29

Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Revelation 11:2

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.

2 Kings 9:33

And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and [some] of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot.

Daniel 8:13

Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain [saint] which spake, How long [shall be] the vision [concerning] the daily [sacrifice], and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

Isaiah 28:1

¶ Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty [is] a fading flower, which [are] on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

Lamentations 1:15

The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty [men] in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, [as] in a winepress.