Isaiah 3 Study Notes

3:1-3 Since God’s people trust in man (2:22) rather than in God, he will remove from them every kind of security. While various political, military, and religious leaders are on the list, it begins with the staples of bread and water.

3:4-5 With the removal of the leaders in whom the people trust comes the installation of inexperienced youths to replace them. The result will be social chaos and oppression.

3:6-7 In such a disorderly society, it did not take much to be a leader among men. In the vignette described in these verses, the people are so unwilling and unfit to lead that a man will be pressed into a leadership role just because he has a cloak. But what would be left for him to lead? Only a heap of rubble.

3:8 The initial word for probably connects this verse to vv. 1-7. The reason God will remove good government from Israel is that they are spiritually bankrupt.

3:9 Again, God’s pronouncement compares Judah to Sodom, the preeminent early example of open, flagrant sin as well as a reminder of God’s determined judgment (Gn 19; see note at Is 1:9).

3:10-11 But not all people will experience the severe judgment of God. The righteous will find reward in a good life, and the wicked will suffer. In both cases, they will get what they deserve (see note at Ps 103:1-2).

3:12 This verse largely repeats v. 4. God has judged Israel with poor government.

3:13-15 Isaiah returned to the legal language with which the book began (1:2). The leaders were guilty of destroying the vineyard, the land of Judah (5:1-7), through their exploitation of the poor.

3:16 The proud daughters of Zion stand for the city and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (1:8), not just its female inhabitants. Though clearly the inhabitants included a share of rich, snooty women, the fact that the city is clearly described by such a female personification in 3:25-26 confirms the view that the daughters should not be restricted to the female population. For another pronouncement against women, see 32:9-20.

3:17-24 God will humiliate these proud women who represent the city and inhabitants of Jerusalem. Their physical appearance will be spoiled and their finery will be removed. They will end up wearing sackcloth, ugly and uncomfortable. While this language should be understood figuratively of the city of Jerusalem, it also has a literal significance. Wealthy, beautiful, well-dressed women would be reduced to such a state in the midst of the coming military siege.

3:25-4:1 War will severely reduce the male population of Jerusalem. There will not be enough men to marry all the women. Women without husbands were socially vulnerable. Thus, seven women will beg a single man to make them his wives. He will not even need to provide their food (bread) and clothing (something mandated even for unloved secondary wives in Ex 21:10-11).