Isaiah 3:19

19 the pearl-drops, and the bracelets, and the veils,

Isaiah 3:19 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 3:19

The chains
According to Kimchi and R. Levi ben Gersom on ( Judges 8:26 ) these were drop bottles, or vessels of gold, in which were put stacte or balsam; and the former says here, they were such in which balsam was put, and women hung about their necks; though, he observes, some interpret them of chains, which were made of small stones of bdellium; hence pure bdellium is called in the Arabic tongue (Pjnla) ; and so Jarchi renders the word "chains"; and they are called by this name, because they hang about the neck, and drop upon the breast, and are in the form of precious stones, bored and strung: and the bracelets;
hand bracelets, according to the Targum; such as Abraham's servant gave to Rebekah, ( Genesis 24:22 ) : and the mufflers;
these were veils which covered the whole face, excepting the eyes, the same that we call masks: it is said F1 of the Arabian women, that they went out (twlwer) ; that is, as Bartenora explains it, they were veiled about the head, so that the whole face was covered, excepting their eyes; though Maimonides interprets them of little bells, which the Arabian women went out with; the Targum here explains the word by "women's veils"; though some think only the "spangles" which were on them are meant, so called from their trembling and shaking motion.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 Misn. Sabbat, c. 6. sect. 6.

Isaiah 3:19 In-Context

17 therefore the Lord will make bald the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and Jehovah will lay bare their secret parts.
18 In that day the Lord will take away the ornament of anklets, and the little suns and crescents,
19 the pearl-drops, and the bracelets, and the veils,
20 the head-dresses, and the stepping chains, and the girdles, and the scent-boxes, and the amulets;
21 the finger-rings, and the nose-rings;
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.