Isaiah 28:3

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

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

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

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

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

Isaiah 28:3 delivers a potent prophetic warning, specifically targeting the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often identified with its leading tribe, Ephraim. This verse vividly portrays the impending judgment and humiliation that would befall a people steeped in arrogance and moral decay.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Isaiah's message in chapter 28 begins with a "Woe" to Ephraim, whose capital, Samaria, was a prominent and prosperous city. Situated on a hill, it was seen by its inhabitants as a "crown" of glory, fostering a false sense of security and pride. However, this prosperity was accompanied by deep moral corruption, including widespread drunkenness and revelry. The "drunkards of Ephraim" represents not just literal intoxication but a spiritual and moral stupor that blinded them to God's warnings and the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire. Isaiah prophesies that this proud, self-assured kingdom would soon face utter devastation at the hands of its enemies, serving as God's instrument of judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Fall of Pride: The phrase "the crown of pride" is a powerful metaphor for Samaria and its inhabitants, whose perceived greatness was rooted in human arrogance rather than divine favor. This verse declares that this symbol of their haughtiness would be utterly disgraced and brought low.
  • Consequences of Moral Decay: The "drunkards of Ephraim" highlights the widespread moral depravity and spiritual insensitivity within the kingdom. Their indulgence led to poor judgment and a rejection of the Lord's wisdom, rendering them vulnerable to destruction.
  • Divine Judgment and Humiliation: To be "trodden under feet" is a stark image of complete conquest, subjugation, and public humiliation. It foretells the devastating defeat and subsequent exile of the Northern Kingdom by the Assyrians, a direct consequence of their persistent sin and rebellion against God. This judgment powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "crown" (עֲטֶרֶת, 'ateret) in this context refers to a garland or diadem, emphasizing Samaria's perceived glory and strategic position. Calling it a "crown of pride" immediately identifies its fatal flaw. The phrase "shall be trodden under feet" (תֵּרָמַסְנָה, teramasnah) is a vivid and common biblical idiom signifying utter defeat and humiliation, often used in the context of military conquest where the victorious army would literally trample their defeated foes.

Practical Application

Isaiah 28:3 serves as a timeless warning against the perils of spiritual complacency, arrogance, and moral degradation. It reminds us that God opposes the proud and that unchecked pride, whether in individuals or nations, inevitably leads to a fall. The "drunkards of Ephraim" can be seen as a metaphor for anyone spiritually dulled by indulgence, worldly pursuits, or a false sense of security, making them oblivious to spiritual dangers or God's truth. This verse calls believers to cultivate humility, maintain spiritual vigilance, and adopt a sober-minded approach to life, recognizing that we are to walk properly, not in revelry and drunkenness, but to be alert to God's will and His righteous judgments for unrepentant sin.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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