Isaiah 3:11-21

11 Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, For 1what * he deserves * will be done to him.
12 O My people! Their oppressors are 2children, And women rule over them. O My people! 3Those who guide you lead you astray And confuse the direction of your paths.

God Will Judge

13 4The LORD arises to contend, And stands to judge the people.
14 The LORD 5enters into judgment with the elders and princes of His people, "It is you who have 6devoured the vineyard; The 7plunder of the poor is in your houses.
15 "What do you mean by 8crushing My people And grinding the face of the poor?" Declares the Lord GOD of hosts.

Judah's Women Denounced

16 Moreover, the LORD said, "Because * the 9daughters of Zion are proud And walk with heads held high and seductive eyes, And go along with mincing steps And tinkle the bangles on their feet,
17 Therefore the Lord will afflict the scalp of the daughters of Zion with scabs, And the LORD will make their foreheads bare."
18 In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, 10crescent ornaments,
19 dangling earrings, bracelets, veils,
20 11headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume * boxes, amulets,
21 finger rings, 12nose rings,

Isaiah 3:11-21 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 12

  • 1. Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Isaiah 65:6, 7
  • 2. Isaiah 3:4
  • 3. Isaiah 9:16; Isaiah 28:14, 15
  • 4. Isaiah 66:16; Hosea 4:1; Micah 6:2
  • 5. Job 22:4; Psalms 143:2; Ezekiel 20:35, 36
  • 6. Psalms 14:4; Micah 3:3
  • 7. Job 24:9, 14; Psalms 10:9; Proverbs 30:14; Isaiah 10:1, 2; Ezekiel 18:12; James 2:6
  • 8. Psalms 94:5
  • 9. Song of Songs 3:11; Is 3:16-4:1, 4; Isaiah 32:9-15
  • 10. Judges 8:21, 26
  • 11. Exodus 39:28
  • 12. Genesis 24:47; Ezekiel 16:12

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Lit "the dealing of his hands"
  • [b]. Or "deal severely"
  • [c]. Heb "YHWH," usually rendered LORD
  • [d]. Lit "outstretched necks"
  • [e]. Or "signet rings"
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