Isaiah 3:9-19

9 For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin 1like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! 2For they have brought evil on themselves.
10 3Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, 4for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.
11 5Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.
12 My people--6infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, 7your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up[a] the course of your paths.
13 The LORD 8has taken his place to contend; he stands to judge peoples.
14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the 9elders and princes of his people: "It is you who 10have devoured[b] the vineyard, 11the spoil of the poor is in your houses.
15 What do you mean by 12crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor?" declares the Lord GOD of hosts.
16 The LORD said: 13Because 14the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, 15tinkling with their feet,
17 therefore the Lord 16will strike with a scab the heads of 17the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts.
18 In that day the Lord will take away 18the finery of the anklets, the 19headbands, and the 20crescents;
19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves;

Isaiah 3:9-19 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 20

  • 1. Genesis 13:13; Genesis 18:20; Ezek. 16:46, 48, 49
  • 2. [Romans 6:23]
  • 3. Ecclesiastes 8:12; See Deuteronomy 28:1-14
  • 4. Psalms 128:2
  • 5. Ecclesiastes 8:13; See Deuteronomy 28:15-68
  • 6. ver. 4
  • 7. See Isaiah 28:14-22
  • 8. Psalms 7:6; Hosea 4:1
  • 9. Micah 3:1
  • 10. Psalms 14:4
  • 11. Amos 3:10
  • 12. [Psalms 94:5]
  • 13. See Isaiah 32:9-11
  • 14. Isaiah 4:4; Song of Songs 3:11
  • 15. ver. 18
  • 16. [Deuteronomy 28:60]
  • 17. [See ver. 16 above]
  • 18. ver. 16
  • 19. [1 Peter 3:3]
  • 20. Judges 8:21, 26

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or they have confused
  • [b]. Or grazed over; compare Exodus 22:5
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.