Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Isaiah 28:4

Next

And the glorious beauty, which [is] on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, [and] as the hasty fruit before the summer; which [when] he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

And the glorious {H6643} beauty {H8597}, which is on the head {H7218} of the fat {H8081} valley {H1516}, shall be a fading {H5034} flower {H6733}, and as the hasty fruit {H1061} before the summer {H7019}; which when he that looketh {H7200} upon it seeth {H7200}, while it is yet in his hand {H3709} he eateth it up {H1104}.

and the fading flower of its proud splendor, located at the head of the rich valley, is like the first ripe fig of summer whoever sees it picks and eats it.

The fading flower of his beautiful splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, will be like a ripe fig before the summer harvest: Whoever sees it will take it in his hand and swallow it.

and the fading flower of his glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be as the first-ripe fig before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

Commentary

Isaiah 28:4 delivers a vivid prophetic judgment against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, specifically its capital, Samaria, often referred to as Ephraim. The verse describes Samaria's outward prosperity and beauty as something fleeting and easily consumed, akin to a rapidly decaying flower or an eagerly devoured early fig.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Isaiah (chapters 28-33) where the prophet pronounces "woes" upon various nations and especially upon Judah and Israel for their spiritual apostasy, pride, and reliance on foreign alliances rather than on God. Isaiah 28:1-3 sets the scene, depicting Samaria's leaders as "drunkards of Ephraim" whose "glorious beauty" is a "fading flower" due to their moral and spiritual decay. The "fat valley" refers to Samaria's fertile and prominent location, a symbol of its wealth and pride, which God promises to bring low through the Assyrian invasion.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse powerfully illustrates God's impending judgment upon those who are proud and morally corrupt. Samaria's downfall is presented as certain and swift.
  • Transience of Worldly Glory: The imagery of a "fading flower" and "hasty fruit" emphasizes that material wealth, human power, and outward beauty are temporary and ultimately unsustainable without a foundation in God. This echoes the broader biblical theme of the impermanence of earthly things, as seen in 1 Peter 1:24.
  • Swiftness of Destruction: The "hasty fruit" that is "eaten up" immediately upon being seen highlights the sudden and complete nature of the coming destruction. What seems desirable and strong will be quickly devoured.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fat valley" in Hebrew, gei shmanim (גֵּיא שְׁמָנִים), literally means "valley of fatness" or "rich valley," underscoring Samaria's fertility and abundance. The "fading flower" (צִיץ נֹבֵל, tzitz novel) paints a vivid picture of rapid decay. The "hasty fruit" (בִּכּוּרָה, bikkurah) refers to an early fig, which was highly prized but also quickly consumed because of its early, often less substantial, ripeness. This imagery powerfully conveys both the desirability and the ephemeral nature of Samaria's glory before its swift demise.

Practical Application

Isaiah 28:4 serves as a timeless warning against placing confidence in fleeting worldly possessions, status, or power. It reminds us that spiritual pride and moral corruption lead to inevitable decline and judgment. Instead of relying on outward appearances or material prosperity, believers are called to build their lives on the unchanging truth of God's Word and to seek lasting spiritual riches, which are not subject to decay or swift consumption. The verse underscores God's sovereignty and His unfailing justice, demonstrating that no earthly power can withstand His determined judgment when sin and rebellion persist.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nahum 3:12 (5 votes)

    All thy strong holds [shall be like] fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

  • Micah 7:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: [there is] no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit.

  • Isaiah 28:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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!

  • Hosea 6:4 (3 votes)

    ¶ O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness [is] as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.

  • Hosea 13:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.

  • Psalms 73:19 (2 votes)

    How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

  • Psalms 73:20 (2 votes)

    As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.