Isa 28:1 | JFB | STEP | 1. crown of pride — Hebrew for " proud crown of the drunkards," &c. [HORSLEY ], namely, Samaria, the capital of Ephraim, or Israel. "Drunkards," literally ( ) and metaphorically, like drunkards, rushing on to their own destruction. beauty . . . flower —"whose glorious beauty or ornament is a fading flower." Carrying on the image of "drunkards"; it was the custom at feasts to wreathe the brow with flowers; so Samaria, "which is (not as English Version, 'which are') upon the head of the fertile valley," that is, situated on a hill surrounded with the rich valleys as a garland ( ); but the garland is "fading," as garlands often do, because Ephraim is now close to ruin (compare ); fulfilled 721 B.C. ( ).

Isaiah 28:1

1. crown of pride—Hebrew for "proud crown of the drunkards," &c. [HORSLEY], namely, Samaria, the capital of Ephraim, or Israel. "Drunkards," literally (Isa 28:7, 8; Isa 5:11, 22; Am 4:1; 6:1-6) and metaphorically, like drunkards, rushing on to their own destruction.

beauty . . . flower—"whose glorious beauty or ornament is a fading flower." Carrying on the image of "drunkards"; it was the custom at feasts to wreathe the brow with flowers; so Samaria, "which is (not as English Version, 'which are') upon the head of the fertile valley," that is, situated on a hill surrounded with the rich valleys as a garland (1Ki 16:24); but the garland is "fading," as garlands often do, because Ephraim is now close to ruin (compare Isa 16:8); fulfilled 721 B.C. (2Ki 17:6, 24).