Isaiah 28:4

2 Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one,
^aLike a tempest of hail and a destroying storm,
Like a flood of mighty waters overflowing,
Who will bring them down to the earth with His hand.

3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim,
Will be trampled underfoot;

4 And the glorious beauty is a fading flower
Which is at the head of the¹ verdant valley,
Like the first fruit before the summer,
Which an observer sees;
He eats it up while it is still in his hand.

5 In that day the Lord of hosts will be
For a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty
To the remnant of His people,

6 For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment,
And for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.

7 But they also ^ahave erred through wine,
And through intoxicating drink are out of the way;
^bThe priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink,
They are swallowed up by wine,
They are out of the way through intoxicating drink;
They err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

Commentaries:

Forerunner Commentary
What is the Forerunner Commentary?

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What Does Isaiah 28:4 Mean?

Isaiah 28:4

"First-ripe" (bikkoor, bikkoorah, or bakkoorah) is a variant of the word firstfruits. A first-ripe fig is a delicacy begging for attention now. When one sees such a "fruit to maturity" (Luke 8:14), dripping white sweet through splitting skin, he should eat it promptly. It does not remain long in one's hand because it is at its peak; it will never taste better. Thus, Ephraim's fall will be at "noontime"; her enemies will pluck her at her zenith of power and glory and suddenly devour her.

Charles Whitaker
A Basket of Summer Fruit

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