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Isaiah 3:16-24

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

16. Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing [as] they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: 17. Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. 18. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of [their] tinkling ornaments [about their feet], and [their] cauls, and [their] round tires like the moon, 19. The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, 20. The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, 21. The rings, and nose jewels, 22. The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, 23. The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. 24. And it shall come to pass, [that] instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; [and] burning instead of beauty.

Isaiah 3:16-24 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Isaiah 3:16

Theological / Devotional

Daughters of Zion. Having discussed the princes and elders of Israel, Isaiah now turns to their wives and daughters, who are fully as degenerate. Nowhere else in the Bible is there so detailed a denunciation of degenerate womanhood as here. The women of Isaiah’s time are pictured exactly as they were — vain, haughty, highminded, proud, interested in themselves rather than in the Lord and the needs of those about them. In striking contrast is the picture Peter gives of ideal Christian womanhood (Peter 3:1-5). Haughtiness was the outstanding characteristic of the “daughters of Zion,” whereas “a meek and quiet spirit” is the outstanding trait God would see reflected in their lives.

Walk. The women of Zion affected the gait of harlots in order to attract the attention of men. With outstretched necks and ogling eyes, with mincing steps and coy glances, the women walked the streets, seeking to attract attention to themselves and bring their victims within their power (see Prov. 7:6-21).

A tinkling. In certain Oriental countries small silver bells were fastened to the ankles, which gave out a tinkling sound as the wearers walked. Bracelets were worn on legs as well as arms, and these too made a tinkling sound as the girls walked the streets. The “daughters of Zion” followed the customs of the degenerate nations about them.

By SdaBc