Isaiah 3:19

19 and on their wrists. He will take away their 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 But I will punish them - I will shave their heads and leave them bald."
18 A day is coming when the Lord will take away from the women of Jerusalem everything they are so proud of - the ornaments they wear on their ankles, on their heads, on their necks,
19 and on their wrists. He will take away their veils
20 and their hats; the magic charms they wear on their arms and at their waists;
21 the rings they wear on their fingers and in their noses;
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.