Isaiah 3:23

23 and the mirrors; The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes.

Isaiah 3:23 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 3:23

The glasses
Looking glasses, by which they dressed themselves, see ( Exodus 38:8 ) and so Kimchi explains the word; but elsewhere F5 he says it signifies thin garments, so called because the flesh is seen through them, being so exceeding thin; which sense is favoured by the Septuagint version, which renders it by (ta diafanh) (lakwnika) , garments which the Lacedemonians wore, which were so thin and transparent, that the naked body might be seen through them: and the fine linen;
of which several of their garments and ornaments were made, and particularly their veils, with which they veiled themselves, as Jarchi observes: and the hoods;
the word is used for a diadem and mitre, ( Isaiah 62:3 ) ( Zechariah 3:5 ) the Targum renders it "crowns"; and such the Jewish women wore, (See Gill on Isaiah 3:20) and particularly newly married women F6: and the veils;
so the word is rendered in ( Song of Solomon 5:7 ) with which women covered their heads, either through modesty, or as a token of subjection to their husbands, see ( Genesis 24:65 ) ( 1 Corinthians 11:5-10 ) but, according to the Targum and Kimchi, these were thin garments which women wore in summertime; Jarchi says they are the same which the French call "fermelan", and are of gold, which they put about the cloak the woman is covered with; perhaps they were a sort of umbrellas, to keep off the heat of the sun.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 Ib. (In Sepher Shorash.) rad. (hlg) .
F6 Misn. Sota, c. 9. sect. 14.

Isaiah 3:23 In-Context

21 and the rings; The nose jewels,
22 the festal apparel, and the mantles; The outer garments, the purses,
23 and the mirrors; The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes.
24 And so it shall be: Instead of a sweet smell there will be a stench; Instead of a sash, a rope; Instead of well-set hair, baldness; Instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; And branding instead of beauty.
25 Your men shall fall by the sword, And your mighty in the war.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.