Isaiah 3:16-26

Judah's Women Denounced

16 Moreover, the LORD said, "Because * the 1daughters 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, 2crescent ornaments,
19 dangling earrings, bracelets, veils,
20 3headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume * boxes, amulets,
21 finger rings, 4nose rings,
22 festal robes, outer tunics, cloaks, money purses,
23 hand mirrors, undergarments, turbans and veils.
24 Now it will come about that instead of sweet 5perfume there will be putrefaction; Instead of a belt, a rope; Instead of 6well-set hair, a 7plucked-out scalp; Instead of fine clothes, a 8donning of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty.
25 Your men will 9fall by the sword And your mighty ones in battle.
26 And her 10gates will lament and mourn, And deserted she will 11sit on the ground.

Isaiah 3:16-26 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. Song of Songs 3:11; Is 3:16-4:1, 4; Isaiah 32:9-15
  • 2. Judges 8:21, 26
  • 3. Exodus 39:28
  • 4. Genesis 24:47; Ezekiel 16:12
  • 5. Esther 2:12
  • 6. 1 Peter 3:3
  • 7. Isaiah 22:12; Ezekiel 27:31; Amos 8:10
  • 8. Isaiah 15:3; Lamentations 2:10
  • 9. Isaiah 1:20; Isaiah 65:12
  • 10. Jeremiah 14:2; Lamentations 1:4
  • 11. Lamentations 2:10

Footnotes 5

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