Isaiah 3:23

23 And lookingglasses, and lawns, and headbands, and fine veils.

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 rings, and jewels hanging on the forehead,
22 And changes of apparel, and short cloaks, and fine linen, and crisping pins,
23 And lookingglasses, and lawns, and headbands, and fine veils.
24 And instead of a sweet smell there shall be stench, and instead of a girdle, a cord, and instead of curled hair, baldness, and instead of a stomacher, haircloth.
25 Thy fairest men also shall fall by the sword, and thy valiant ones in battle.
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