Bible Strands
Isaiah 28:3
The majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Isaiah pronounces this oracle against the northern kingdom of Israel, targeting its leadership and people during a period of political alliance-making and spiritual rebellion. The declaration follows immediately after the description of God’s coming destructive force in Isaiah 28:2.
The words — The Hebrew תֵּֽרָמַ֑סְנָה (te.ra.Mas.nah) literally means “they will be trampled,” directly acting on the עֲטֶ֥רֶת ('a.Te.ret), or “crown,” of Ephraim’s pride. This verb emphasizes the violent, public humiliation of what was once held as a symbol of honor.
The thread — The motif of a crown being trampled underfoot echoes the judgment on oppression in Isaiah 26:6 and appears in the New Testament warning against profaning sacred things in Hebrews 10:29. The imagery of fallen glory also parallels the fading flower described in Isaiah 28:4.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that human pride and intoxication cannot withstand divine judgment. Readers must confront the reality that worldly status and self-reliance will be publicly dismantled by God’s sovereign action.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:
Cross-references
- Isaiah 26:6 Feet trample it down—the feet of the oppressed, the steps of the poor.
- Hebrews 10:29 How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
- 2 Kings 9:33 “Throw her down!” yelled Jehu. So they threw her down, and her blood splattered on the wall and on the horses as they trampled her underfoot.
- Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower of his glorious splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, the pride of those overcome by wine.
- Daniel 8:13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long until the fulfillment of the vision of the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host to be trampled?”
- Revelation 11:2 But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.
- Isaiah 25:10 For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain. But Moab will be trampled in his place as straw is trodden into the dung pile.
- Lamentations 1:15 The Lord has rejected all the mighty men in my midst; He has summoned an army against me to crush my young warriors. Like grapes in a winepress, the Lord has trampled the Virgin Daughter of Judah.