Isaiah 3:22

22 the latest fashions in hats, exotic perfumes and aphrodisiacs, gowns and capes,

Isaiah 3:22 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 3:22

The changeable suits of apparel
To put on and off upon occasion; Kimchi says they were beautiful garments, and so they stand opposed to filthy ones, ( Zechariah 3:3 Zechariah 3:4 ) ( Judges 14:12 Judges 14:19 ) and the mantles:
or "cloaks", as the Targum; Jarchi translates the word by "bedclothes", or coverings for the bed, such as tapestry, rugs, quilts which were worked with purple; hence the Septuagint makes use of words to express it by of such a signification: and the wimples;
according to Jarchi, these were "towels" or linen cloths, with which they wiped their hands; but, according to Kimchi, they were "veils" with which women covered themselves; and so the word is rendered in ( Ruth 3:15 ) and elsewhere F4 he observes, that some interpret it of "gloves"; some think "aprons" are meant: our English word "wimples" comes from the Dutch word "wimpel", a muffler, or plaited linen cloth, which nuns wear to cover their necks and breasts; the word is also used for a streamer or flag: and the crisping pins:
with which they used to part their hair, and curl their locks, and keep them so: according to Kimchi, they were "purses"; and such made of silk, and wrought with gold and silver, may very well be reckoned among the ornaments of women; and the word is rendered "bags" in ( 2 Kings 5:23 ) some think needle cases are meant; the word by which the Targum explains it seems to design "hooks" or "clasps", with which women clasped their garments, that they might be kept close about them.


FOOTNOTES:

F4 In Sepher Shorash. rad. (xpj) .

Isaiah 3:22 In-Context

20 combs and mirrors and silk scarves, diamond brooches and pearl necklaces,
21 the rings on their fingers and the rings on their toes,
22 the latest fashions in hats, exotic perfumes and aphrodisiacs, gowns and capes,
23 all the world's finest in fabrics and design.
24 Instead of wearing seductive scents, these women are going to smell like rotting cabbages; Instead of modeling flowing gowns, they'll be sporting rags; Instead of their stylish hairdos, scruffy heads; Instead of beauty marks, scabs and scars.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.