Isaiah 28:3 — Word Study
WLCבְּרַגְלַ֖יִם תֵּֽרָמַ֑סְנָה עֲטֶ֥רֶת גֵּא֖וּת שִׁכּוֹרֵ֥י אֶפְרָֽיִם׃
BSAThe majesticgêʼûwth [proud] crownʻăṭârâh of Ephraim’sʼEphrayim [doubly fruitful, referring to Joseph's son] drunkardsshikkôwr [intoxicated, given up to wine] will be trampled underfootrâmaç▸ [violently, tread on, crushed, by feet, in a humiliating manner]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בְּרַגְלַ֖יִם | with feet | Preposition, noun common feminine dual absolute |
| תֵּֽרָמַ֑סְנָה | they will be trampled | Verb, Niphal, imperfect third person feminine plural |
| עֲטֶ֥רֶת | [the] crown of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| גֵּא֖וּת | pride of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| שִׁכּוֹרֵ֥י | [the] drunkards of | Adj |
| אֶפְרָֽיִם׃ | Ephraim | Noun proper masculine |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot. |
| KJV | The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: |
| ASV | The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under foot: |
| YLT | By feet trodden down is the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, |
| WEB | The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden under foot. |
| BBE | The crown of pride of those who are given up to wine in Ephraim will be crushed under foot; |
Where they part company is תֵּֽרָמַ֑סְנָה — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with additional phrases providing detail about the subject and action.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָמַס
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 28:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Judgment on Ephraimgenerated
Isaiah 28:3 speaks of the impending judgment on Ephraim, a tribe known for its pride and drunkenness. The imagery of trampling underfoot conveys the humiliation that will come as a result of their arrogance. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of pride and excess.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | Isaiah 26:6 | Feet trample it down— the feet of the oppressed, the steps of the poor. |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | 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. |
| 5 | 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?” |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תֵּֽרָמַ֑סְנָה, te.ra.Mas.nahgenerated
The verb רָמַס (ramas) means to trample or tread upon, often in a violent manner. It is a Niphal form, indicating that the subject will be acted upon, suggesting oppression or destruction.
This form of the verb emphasizes the severity of the action, as the proud crown of Ephraim's drunkards will not merely be touched but violently trampled, highlighting the totality of their downfall.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb תֵּֽרָמַ֑סְנָה governs the entire verse, with a prepositional phrase and two noun phrases following it. The structure emphasizes the action of trampling as the central focus.
The word order in Hebrew places the verb first, highlighting the action of trampling as the primary concern of the sentence.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תֵּֽרָמַ֑סְנָה as καταπατηθήσεται, which means 'will be trampled down'. This choice indicates an interpretation that emphasizes the total destruction and humiliation of Ephraim's pride.
The Greek word ποσὶν for 'feet' aligns with the Hebrew בְּרַגְלַ֖יִם, reinforcing the imagery of being trampled underfoot.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 28:3 warns that the proud crown of Ephraim's drunkards will be trampled underfoot. This verse highlights the consequences of pride and excess, showing that such arrogance leads to downfall.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The crown symbolizes the pride and honor of Ephraim, which will ultimately be brought low.
They represent the excess and moral decline of Ephraim, contributing to their eventual judgment.
To be trampled underfoot signifies humiliation and total defeat, illustrating the severity of judgment.
This verse reflects Isaiah's recurring themes of judgment against pride and the consequences of turning away from God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I see pride affecting my life or the lives of those around me?
- How can I guard against the excesses that lead to downfall?
- What does this verse teach about the consequences of arrogance?
- How can I cultivate humility in my own life?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 28:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet.
Read John Gill on Isaiah 28 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: The crown of pride, the drunkards - i:e., 'the proud crown of the drunkards.'
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 28 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe expression is emphatical; the crown which was upon their own heads shall be trodden under the feet of others; and they, whose drunkenness made them stagger and fall to the ground, shall be trodden down there.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 28 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 28:3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: Ver. 3. The crown of pride … shall be trodden under foot.] This noteth utmost ignominy. Finge ideam animo, saith one here; imagine you saw Shalmaneser pulling the crown from the king of Israel’ s head, throwing it to the ground, and then trampling on it. What brave rhetoric is here! The Romans pictured pride with a triple crown. On the first crown was written Transcendo; I excel, on the next, Non obedio; I do not submit, on the third, Perturbo I throw into confusion.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 28 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 3. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim - "The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim"] I read עטרות ataroth, crowns, plural, to agree with the verb תרמסנה teramasnah, "shall be trodden down."
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 28 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3. The verb shall be trodden is in the plural number. Apparently the prophet intended to include in its subject both the images of Isa 28:1; but his thoughts were diverted by the other figure which is developed in Isaiah 28:4. In the Hebr. the order is: With the feet shall be trodden down the proud crown of the, &c. (as Isaiah 28:1).
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 28 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible3, 4. Trodden under feet — Thrust violently down so as to be trodden under the feet of the invader, (the Assyrian army under Shalmanezer in this case,) in the sixth year of the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Isaiah 28 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot.
The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden under foot.
The majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot.
The splendid crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot.
Tyndale line
The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:
The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under foot:
The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under foot:
The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under feet.
They shall be troden vnder foote, euen the crowne and the pride of the drunkards of Ephraim.
Strictly literal
The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under feet;
By feet trodden down is the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim,
The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim is trodden down by feet,
Under feet shall be trodden the crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim:
The proud garland of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden underfoot.
From the Latin
The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under feet.
Simplified
That crowning glory of Ephraim's drunks will be trampled underfoot.
The crown of pride of those who are given up to wine in Ephraim will be crushed under foot;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Dead Sea Scrolls agree on the wording of this verse, with both texts preserving the same six words. The Septuagint matches the Hebrew closely, maintaining the same core message.
בְּרַגְלַ֖יִם תֵּֽרָמַ֑סְנָה עֲטֶ֥רֶת גֵּא֖וּת שִׁכּוֹרֵ֥י אֶפְרָֽיִם׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ברגלים תרמסנה עטרת גאות שכורי אפרים
6 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 28:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
רֶ֫גֶל (regel) means 'foot' and can refer to a foot or leg in various contexts, including anthropomorphic references to God and other beings. It also implies steps or paces. The word is derived from a root meaning related to walking, and it appears in multiple forms, such as feet and paces.
רֶ֫גֶל 247 n.f. foot
foot
three times (feet, paces)
base
H7272 רֶ֫גֶל foot . foot
. three times (feet, paces)
7272 regel reh'-gel
from 7270; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a
step; by euphem. the pudenda:--X be able to endure, X
according as, X after, X coming, X follow,
((broken-))foot((-ed, -stool)), X great toe, X haunt, X
journey, leg, + piss, + possession, time.
see HEBREW for 07270
רֶ֫גֶל (re.gel) — foot.
1) foot
1a) foot, leg
1b) of God (anthropomorphic)
1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table
1d) according to the pace of (with prep)
1e) three times (feet, paces)
Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
HR/Ncfda — Preposition · noun common feminine dual absoluteHR/Ncfda
→ Bells worn on Isa 3:16,18
→ Washing of, as an example, by Jesus Joh 13:4-14
→ See ABLUTION
רָמַס (ramas) is a Hebrew verb meaning to trample or tread upon. It is a primitive root that conveys the action of stepping heavily, often in a way that implies oppression or force. The verb appears in both the Qal form, indicating active tramping, and the Niphal form, suggesting a passive state of being trampled.
רָמַס vb. trample
Qal trample
Niph. be trampled
base
H7429 רָמַס trample
7429 ramac raw-mas'
a primitive root; to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or
abusively):--oppressor, stamp upon, trample (under feet),
tread (down, upon).
רָמַס (ra.mas) — to trample.
1) to trample
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to trample
1a2) trampler (participle)
1b) (Niphal) to be trampled
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fp — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person feminine pluralHVNi3fp
עֲטָרָה (atarah) means 'crown' or 'wreath' and is derived from the root word עָטַר (atar). It can refer to a literal crown, a decorative wreath, or symbolize honor. The term appears in contexts related to idol imagery and materials like silver and gold.
עֲטָרָה n.f. crown, wreath
of idol-image
of silver and gold
fig. of honour
base
H5850 עֲטָרָה crown, wreath
5850 `atarah at-aw-raw'
from 5849; a crown:--crown.
see HEBREW for 05849
עֲטָרָה (a.ta.rah) — crown.
crown, wreath
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
גֵּאוּת (ge'uwth) refers to concepts of majesty and pride, derived from the root words for lifting up and excellent things. It encompasses a range of meanings including the majesty of God, a rising up, and even pride. The entries highlight its use in describing both divine attributes and human qualities.
גֵּאוּת n.f. majesty
lifting up
majesty of God
pride
base
H1348 גֵּאוּת majesty
1348 ge'uwth gay-ooth'
from 1342; the same as 1346:--excellent things, lifting up,
majesty, pride, proudly, raging.
see HEBREW for 01342
see HEBREW for 01346
גֵּאוּת (ge.ut) — majesty.
1) majesty
1a) a rising up (of column of smoke)
1b) a swelling (of sea)
1c) majesty (of God)
1d) pride
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
שִׁכֹּר (shikkor) means 'drunken' and refers to a state of intoxication or a habitual drunkard. The word is built from the root associated with drunkenness and is used in various contexts to describe someone who is intoxicated.
שִׁכֹּר, שִׁכּוֹר adj. drunken
base
H7910 שִׁכֹּר, שִׁכּוֹר drunken
7910 shikkowr shik-kore'
or shikkor {shik-kore'}; from 7937; intoxicated, as a state
or a habit:--drunk(-ard, -en, -en man).
see HEBREW for 07937
שִׁכֹּר (shik.kor) — drunken.
1) drunken
1a) drunken
1b) drunkard, drunken one (subst)
Adj — AdjHAampc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
אֶפְרַ֫יִם (Ephrayim) refers to Ephraim, a son of Joseph and Asenath, and the tribe descended from him. The term signifies 'double fruit' and encompasses various meanings, including a geographical region, a chief gate of Jerusalem, and a reference to the northern kingdom. Notably, it appears in Genesis 41:52.
אֶפְרַ֫יִם n.pr.m. Ephraim
base
H669 אֶפְרַ֫יִם Ephraim
669 'Ephrayim ef-rah'-yim
dual of masculine form of 672; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son
of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its
territory:--Ephraim, Ephraimites.
see HEBREW for 0672
אֶפְרַ֫יִם (eph.ra.yim) — Ephraim.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.41.52;
son of: Joseph (H3130) and Asenath (H0621);
brother of: Manasseh (H4519);
father of: Shuthelah (H7803), Becher (H1071H), Tahan (H8465), Ezer (H5827), Elead (H0496) and Beriah (H1283H); also called Ephrathite (NIV: Ephraimite) at 1Sa.1.1; Ephron (Qere, KJV: Ephrain) at 2Ch.13.19;
§ Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful"
1) second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh
2) the tribe, Ephraim
3) the mountain country of Ephraim
4) sometimes used name for the northern kingdom (Hosea or Isaiah)
5) a city near Baal-hazor
6) a chief gate of Jerusalem
אֶפְרַ֫יִם (eph.ra.yim) — Ephraim (Gate).
§ Ephraim = "double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful"
a chief gate of Jerusalem
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
Ephraim
Double fruitfulness (“for God had made him fruitful in the land of his affliction”). The second son of Joseph, born in Egypt (Gen. 41:52; 46:20). The first incident recorded regarding him is his being placed, along with his brother Manasseh, before their grandfather, Jacob, that he might bless them (48:10; comp. 27:1). The intention of Joseph was that the right hand of the aged patriarch should be placed on the head of the elder of the two; but Jacob set Ephraim the younger before his brother, “guiding his hands wittingly.” Before Joseph’s death, Ephraim’s family had reached the third generation (Gen. 50:23).
a city "in the district near the wilderness" to which our Lord retired with his disciples when threatened with violence by the priests. (John 11:54)
The second son of Joseph, born in Egypt, Ge 41:52. Although the youngest, he yet had the chief blessing of his grandfather Jacob, and the tribe was always more distinguished than that of Manasseh, Ge 48:8-20 Nu 2:18-21. The portion of Ephraim was large and central, and embraced some of the most fertile land in all Canaan. It extended from the Mediterranean across to the Jordan, north of the portions of Dan and Benjamin and included Shiloh, Shechem, etc. A range of mountainous country, which runs through it, is called "the mountains of Ephraim," or "mount Ephraim." This extends also farther south into the portion of Judah, and is there called "the mountains of Judah." Samaria, the capital of the ten tribes, being in Ephraim…
fruitful; increasing