Teks -- Isaiah 28:1 (NET)

The Lord Will Judge Samaria

28:1 The splendid crown of Ephraim’s drunkards is doomed, the withering flower, its beautiful splendor, situated at the head of a rich valley, the crown of those overcome with wine.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: Isa 28:1 - Pride

That proud and insolent kingdom.

Wesley: Isa 28:1 - Drunkards

Having many and excellent vines among them, they were much exposed to this sin.

Wesley: Isa 28:1 - Ephraim

Of the kingdom of the ten tribes.

Wesley: Isa 28:1 - Who are

Who have their common abode.

Wesley: Isa 28:1 - The head

Samaria, might well be called the head, as being seated upon a mountain, and the head of the kingdom, and the head of the fat valleys, because it was encompassed with many fat and rich valleys.

JFB: Isa 28:1

(Isa. 28:1-29)

JFB: Isa 28:1 - 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, Isa 5:22; Amo 4:1; Amo 6:1-6) and metaphorically, like drunkards, rushing on to their own destruction.

JFB: Isa 28:1 - 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, 2Ki 17:24).

Clarke: Isa 28:1 - Wo to the crown of pride

Wo to the crown of pride - By the crown of pride, etc., Samaria is primarily understood. "Sebaste, the ancient Samaria, is situated on a long mount of an oval figure, having first a fruitful valley, and then a ring of hills running round about it;"Maundrell, p. 58. " E regione horum ruderum mons est peramoenus, planitie admodum frugifera circumseptus, super quem olim Samaria urbs condita fuit ;"Fureri Itinerarium, p. 93. The city, beautifully situated on the top of a round hill, and surrounded immediately with a rich valley and a circle of other hills beyond it, suggested the idea of a chaplet or wreath of flowers worn upon their heads on occasions of festivity, expressed by the proud crown and the fading flower of the drunkards. That this custom of wearing chaplets in their banquets prevailed among the Jews, as well as among the Greeks and Romans, appears from the following passage of the book of The Wisdom of Solomon: -

"Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments

And let no flower of the spring pass by us

Let us crown ourselves with rose-buds before they are withered.

The Wisdom of Solomon 2:7, 8.

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Calvin: Isa 28:1 - Woe to the crown of pride // For the excellence of its glory shall be a fading flower // A fading flower // Which is on the head of the valley of fatness

1.Woe to the crown of pride Isaiah now enters on another and different subject from that which goes before it; for this discourse must be separated from the former one. He shews that the anger of the Lord will quickly overtake, first, Israel, and afterwards the Jews; for it is probable that the kingdom of Israel was still entire when the Prophet uttered these predictions, though nothing more can be affirmed with certainty than that there is good reason to believe that the ten tribes had not at that time been led into captivity.

Accordingly, the Prophet follows this order. First, he shews that the vengeance of God is not far from Israel, because various sins and corruption of every kind prevailed in it; for they were swelled with pride and insolence, had plunged into their luxuries and given way to every kind of licentiousness, and, consequently, had broken out into open contempt of God, as is usually the case when men take excessive liberties; for they quickly forget God. Secondly, he shews that God in some measure restrains his anger by sparing the tribe of Judah; for when the ten tribes, with the half tribe of Benjamin, had been carried into captivity, the Jews still remained entire and uninjured. Isaiah extols this compassion which God manifested, in not permitting his Church to perish, but preserving some remnant. At the same time he shews that the Jews are so depraved and corrupted that they do not permit God to exercise this compassion, and that, in consequence of the wickedness which prevailed among them, not less than in Israel, they too must feel the avenging hand of God. This order ought to be carefully observed; for many persons blunder in the exposition of this passage, because the Prophet has not expressly mentioned the name of Israel, though it is sufficiently known that Ephraim includes the ten tribes.

As to the words, since the particle הוי ( hōī) very frequently denotes “wishing evil on a person,” I was unwilling to depart from the ordinary opinion of commentators, more especially because the Prophet openly threatens in this passage; yet if the translation, Alas the crown! be preferred, I have no objection.

For the excellence of its glory shall be a fading flower ²¹⁰ The copulative ו ( vau) signifies for or because. He compares the “glory” and “excellence” of Israel to “a fading flower,” as will afterwards be stated. In general, he pronounces a curse on the wealth of the Israelites; for by the word “Crown” he means nothing else than the wicked confidence with which they were puffed up, and which proceeded from the excess of their riches. These vices are almost always joined together, because abundance and fullness produce cruelty and pride; for we are elated by prosperity, and do not know how to use it with moderation. They inhabited a rich and fertile country, and on this account Amos (Amo 4:1) calls them “fat cows,” which feed on the mountain of Samaria. Thus, being puffed up by their wealth, they despised both God and men. The Prophet calls them “drunkards,” because, being intoxicated by prosperity, they dreaded no adversity, and thought that they were beyond the reach of all danger, and that they were not even subject to God himself.

A fading flower He alludes, I doubt not, to the crowns or chaplets ²¹¹ which were used at banquets, and which are still used in many places in the present day. The Israelites indulged in gluttony and drunkenness, and the fertility of the soil undoubtedly gave occasion to their intemperance. By calling it “a fading flower” he follows out his comparison, elegantly alluding to flowers which suddenly wither.

Which is on the head of the valley of fatness ²¹² He says that that glory is “on the head of the valley of fatness,” because they saw under their feet their pastures, the fertility of which still more inflamed their pride. שמנים ( shĕmānīm) is translated by some “of ointments;” but that is inapplicable, for it denotes abundance and fullness, which led them to neglect godliness and to despise God. By the word “head” or “top,” he alludes to the position of the country, because the Israelites chiefly inhabited rich valleys. He places on it a crown, which surrounds the whole kingdom; because it was flourishing and abounded in every kind of wealth. This denotes riches, from which arose sluggishness, presumption, rashness, intemperance, and cruelty. This doctrine relates to us also; for the example of these men reminds us that we ought to use prosperity with moderation, otherwise we shall be very unhappy, for the Lord will curse all our riches and abundance.

Defender: Isa 28:1 - Woe

The next six chapters (Isaiah 28-33) return from Isaiah's visions of the end-time judgments, to pronounce judgments upon the Israelites of his own day. These center around six "Woes" (Isa 28:1; Isa 29:1; Isa 29:15; Isa 30:1; Isa 31:1; Isa 33:1). There are thirteen other such "Woes" pronounced in Isaiah, plus thirty-four in the other prophets of the Old Testament."

TSK: Isa 28:1 - the crown // drunkards // whose // overcome

am 3279, bc 725

the crown : This chapter begins a new subject, chiefly relating to the devastations of Israel and Judah by the Assyrian kings. The ancient Samaria being beautifully situated on the top of a round hill, and surrounded immediately with a rich valley, and then a circle of other hills around it, suggested the idea of a chaplet, or wreath of flowers. Isa 28:3; Hos 5:5, Hos 6:10

drunkards : Isa 28:7, Isa 5:11, Isa 5:22; Pro 23:29; Hos 4:11, Hos 7:5; Amo 2:8, Amo 2:12, Amo 6:6

whose : Isa 28:4, Isa 7:8, Isa 7:9, Isa 8:4; 2Ki 14:25-27, 2Ki 15:29, 2Ki 18:10-12; 2Ch 28:6, 2Ch 30:6, 2Ch 30:7; Amo 6:1

overcome : Heb. broken

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Isa 28:1 - The crown of pride // The drunkards // Of Ephraim // Whose glorious beauty is a fading flower // Which are // The head of the fat valleys // That are overcome

The crown of pride that proud and insolent kingdom; for the crown is oft put for the kingdom, as Jer 13:18 , &c.

The drunkards either,

1. Metaphorically, drunk with proud self-confidence, and security, and prosperity; or rather,

2. Properly, by comparing this with Isa 28:7 Hos 7:5 Amo 6:6 , where the Israelites are taxed with this sin. For having many and excellent vines among them, they were exposed to this sin, and frequently overcome by it.

Of Ephraim of the kingdom of the ten tribes; which is commonly called. by the name of Ephraim, as hath been oft noted before.

Whose glorious beauty is a fading flower whose glory and greatness shall suddenly wither and perish.

Which are which proud and drunken Israelites have their common and chief abode. Or, which is, i.e. which flower is-or which beauty or glory is.

The head of the fat valleys either,

1. In Samaria, which might well be called the head, as being seated upon a mountain; and the head of the kingdom, and the head of the fat valleys, because it was encompassed with many fat and rich valleys. Or,

2. Upon the chief or choicest (as this word signifies, Exo 30:23 Son 4:14 Isa 9:14,15 , and elsewhere) of the fat or rich valleys; which they made occasions and instruments of luxury.

That are overcome Heb. that are smitten , or broken , or overthrown , or knocked down ; all which significations of this word fitly agree to drunkards.

Haydock: Isa 28:1 - Taken

Taken. God will make his prophets speak, notwithstanding your repugnance; or he will reduce you to the necessity of learning an unknown language. (Calmet)

Haydock: Isa 28:1 - Ephraim // Flower // Head

Ephraim. That is, the kingdom of the ten tribes. (Challoner) ---

Flower. The pride of the kingdom shall thus decay. (Menochius) ---

Head. Samaria, situated on a hill, having under it a most fertile valley. (Challoner) ---

See Amos ii. 6., and iv. 2. Samaria was taken in the sixth year of Ezechias.

Gill: Isa 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

Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim,.... Or, "of the drunkards of Ephraim": or, "O crown of pride, O drunkards of Ephraim ^l"; who are both called upon, and a woe denounced against them. Ephraim is put for the ten tribes, who were drunk either in a literal sense, for to the sin of drunkenness were they addicted, Hos 7:5, Amo 6:6. The Jews say ^m, that wine of Prugiatha (which perhaps was a place noted for good wine), and the waters of Diomasit (baths), cut off the ten tribes from Israel; which both Jarchi and Kimchi, on the place, make mention of; that is, as Buxtorf ⁿ interprets it, pleasures and delights destroyed the ten tribes. The inhabitants of Samaria, and the places adjacent, especially were addicted to this vice; these places abounding with excellent wines. Sichem, which were in these parts, is thought to be called, from the drunkenness of its inhabitants, Sychar, Joh 4:5 this is a sin very uncomely in any, but especially in professors of religion, as these were, and ought to be declaimed against: or they were drunkards in a metaphorical sense, either with idolatry, the two calves being set up in Dan and Bethel, which belonged to the ten tribes; just as the kings of the earth are said to be drunk with the wine of antichrist's fornication, or the idolatry of the church of Rome, Rev 17:2 or with pride and haughtiness, being elated with the fruitfulness of their country, their great affluence and riches, and numbers of people; in all which they were superior to the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and in which they piqued themselves, and are therefore called "the crown of pride"; and especially their king may be meant, who was lifted up with pride that he ruled over such a country and people; or rather the city of Samaria, the metropolis of the ten tribes, and the royal city. Perhaps there may be an allusion to the crowns wore by drunkards at their revels, and particularly by such who were mighty to drink wine or strong drink, and overcame others, and triumphed in it: pride and sensuality are the vices condemned, and they often go together:

whose glorious beauty; which lay in the numbers of their inhabitants, in their wealth and riches, and in their fruits of corn and wine:

is a fading flower; not to be depended on, soon destroyed, and quickly gone:

which are on the head of the fat valleys; meaning particularly the corn and wine, the harvest and vintage, with which the fruitful valleys being covered, looked very beautiful and glorious: very probably particular respect is had to Samaria, the head of the kingdom, and which was situated on a hill, and surrounded with fruitful valleys; for not Jerusalem is here meant, as Cocceius; nor Gethsemane, by the fat valleys, as Jerom:

of them that are overcome with wine; or smitten, beaten ^o knocked down with it, as with a hammer, and laid prostrate on the ground, where they lie fixed to it, not able to get up; a true picture of a drunkard, that is conquered by wine, and enslaved unto it; see Isa 28:3.