Isaiah 3:19-26

19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves;
20 the 1headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets;
21 the signet rings and 2nose rings;
22 the 3festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags;
23 the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.
24 Instead of 4perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a 5belt, a rope; and instead of 6well-set hair, 7baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a 8skirt of sackcloth; and 9branding instead of beauty.
25 Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle.
26 And 10her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall 11sit on the ground.

Isaiah 3:19-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 3

In this chapter the Jews are threatened with various calamities, on account of their sins, which would issue in their entire ruin and destruction. They are threatened with a famine, Isa 3:1 with a removal of useful men in church and state, and in common life, Isa 3:2,3 with ignorant and effeminate governors; the consequences of which would be oppression and insolence, Isa 3:4,5 yea, that such would be their state and condition, that men, though naturally ambitious of honour, would refuse to have the government of them, Isa 3:6,7 the reasons of these calamities, and of this ruin and fall of them, are their evil words and actions against the Lord, which were highly provoking to him; and their impudence in sinning like Sodom, which was to their own harm, Isa 3:8,9 yet, in the midst of all this, it is the will of God that the righteous should be told it shall be well with them, with the reason of it; when it shall be ill with the wicked, as a just recompence of reward, Isa 3:10,11 the errors and mistakes of the people are attributed to their childish and effeminate governors, Isa 3:12 wherefore the Lord determines to plead their cause, and contend with their elders and rulers, because they had spoiled and devoured the poor, Isa 3:13-15 and particularly the women are threatened, for their pride and luxury, to have their ornaments taken from them, which are particularly mentioned, Isa 3:16-24 and the chapter is concluded with a prophecy, that their mighty men should perish by the sword in war, and the city should be desolate, Isa 3:25,26.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Exodus 39:28; Ezekiel 24:17
  • 2. Genesis 24:47; Ezekiel 16:12
  • 3. [Luke 15:22]
  • 4. [Esther 2:12]
  • 5. Proverbs 31:24
  • 6. 1 Peter 3:3
  • 7. Isaiah 15:2; Isaiah 22:12; Ezekiel 27:31; Amos 8:10; Micah 1:16
  • 8. Isaiah 15:3; Genesis 37:34; Lamentations 2:10
  • 9. Leviticus 19:28
  • 10. Jeremiah 14:2; Lamentations 1:4
  • 11. Job 2:13; Lamentations 2:10
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.