Overcome with wine. The name of Ephraim often appears in the Scriptures to refer to Israel, the northern kingdom. Samaria, its capital, is portrayed as a crown that boasted pride and hypocrisy, as well as the whole nation.

According to the prophecy, this crown was made of beautiful flowers that soon would wither.

This meant that Israel lived wealthy and secure but soon it would be shaken and would fall into oblivion, just as the fleetingness of flowers. The valleys of Israel were fertile and rich in winemaking, causing their inhabitants to commit excesses, such as drunkenness and to neglect the consequences of the acts. Because they were insensitive to justice and faith, these people would suffer the judgement that would fall on them.