Isaiah 28:3
ESV
The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden underfoot;
NIV
That wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, will be trampled underfoot.
NASB
The splendid crown of the habitually drunk of Ephraim is trampled underfoot.
CSB
The majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot.
NLT
The proud city of Samaria — the glorious crown of the drunks of Israel — will be trampled beneath its enemies’ feet.
KJV
The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:
NKJV
The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, Will be trampled underfoot;
What does Isaiah 28:3 mean?
Isaiah again refers to Samaria as a proud crown (Isaiah 28:1). As usual, he writes prophecy in the form of poetry. In this chapter more than others, that poetry takes the form of repeated words and phrases, emphasizing the rhythm and cadence of the poem as well as the content of his words.Isaiah refers once again to the "proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim" (ESV) or "that wreath, the pride of Ephraim's drunkards" (NIV). The crown or wreath is the city of Samaria, capital of Israel, also known as Ephraim. It was apparently a beautiful city set on top of a hill as a wreath or crown on top of a head.
The leaders of Ephraim are proud of their capital. Yet they are also drunkards overcome with wine. They seem unconcerned that Assyria is coming. In the end, the wreath of Samaria will be trampled under the feet of the invaders.
