Isaiah 3 20

Isaiah 3:20 kjv

The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,

Isaiah 3:20 nkjv

The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands; The perfume boxes, the charms,

Isaiah 3:20 niv

the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms,

Isaiah 3:20 esv

the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets;

Isaiah 3:20 nlt

scarves, ankle bracelets, sashes,
perfumes, and charms;

Isaiah 3 verses

Isaiah 3 20 Meaning

Isaiah 3:20 is a continuation of God's judgment against the proud and luxurious women of Jerusalem and Judah. This verse specifically lists five more items of adornment and supposed status that the Lord will strip away from them. It highlights the impending divine punishment which will lead to a reversal of their opulence and self-indulgence, symbolizing the removal of their false pride, security, and reliance on outward show or superstitious practices instead of God.

Isaiah 3 20 Context

Isaiah chapter 3 graphically details God's judgment against Jerusalem and Judah for their sins. The first part (vv. 1-7) describes the removal of all societal pillars – leadership, provisions, and order – leading to chaos and anarchy. Verses 8-15 broaden the indictment to cover the nation's spiritual rebellion and social injustice, condemning leaders who oppress the poor. Verses 16-26 specifically target the proud and haughty women of Zion. These women, described as arrogant and overtly flirtatious (v. 16), symbolize the nation's misplaced confidence and spiritual adultery. The list of elaborate garments and ornaments in verses 18-23, which includes verse 20, illustrates their vanity, luxury, and reliance on material things. The removal of these items signifies not only their humiliation but also the stripping away of Judah's false sense of security, honor, and prosperity as a divine punishment for their moral and spiritual corruption. The amulets in verse 20 suggest a deeper polemic against idolatry and superstition prevalent in society.

Isaiah 3 20 Word analysis

• the headdresses (הַצְּעִפֹ֖ות / hatz-tse'i-fot): From the root צָעַף (tza'af), meaning to be draped or veiled. This refers to elaborate veils, shawls, or ceremonial head coverings, often worn as symbols of status and beauty in ancient cultures. Their removal signifies a stripping of honor and identity.

• the armlets (וְהַטּוּכֹ֥ות / ve'hat-tu-khot): From an uncertain root, possibly related to טָכָה (takah), meaning a circlet. This likely refers to bracelets worn on the arm, or possibly anklets worn around the ankle. These were precious adornments, indicating wealth and an attention to bodily ornamentation.

• the sashes (וְהַקְּשָׁרִ֖ים / ve'ha-qe-sha-rim): From the root קָשַׁר (qashar), "to tie" or "to bind." These could be ornate belts, girdles, or decorative bands worn around the head or waist. They denote elegance and fashion, perhaps used to enhance appearance or hold up garments, emphasizing vanity.

• the perfume boxes (וּבָתֵּ֥י הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ / u-battey han-nefesh): Literally, "houses of the breath" or "houses of the soul." בָּתֵּ֥י (battey) means "houses of," and נֶּ֖פֶשׁ (nefesh) refers to "soul, breath, desire." This phrase refers to small, elaborate containers holding aromatic perfumes or incense. These were used not only for pleasant fragrance but also for cosmetic enhancement and display of luxury, indicating a focus on sensuality and outward allure.

• and the amulets (וְהַלְּחָשִֽׁים / ve'hal-le-khashim): From the root לָחַשׁ (lachash), meaning "to whisper, to charm, to enchant." These were small charms or talismans believed to offer protection or bring good fortune, often worn around the neck or wrist. This term signifies a deeper spiritual problem beyond mere vanity; it points to superstition, occult practices, and reliance on false security apart from the one true God, embodying a form of idolatry that diverts trust away from divine providence.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes": These three items primarily denote external vanity and social status, revealing a society preoccupied with superficial display and earthly splendor. Their removal symbolizes humiliation and a loss of prestige.
  • "the perfume boxes, and the amulets": This group delves deeper into the women's inner motivations. The "perfume boxes" signify self-indulgence and excessive sensual pleasure. Crucially, the "amulets" highlight a serious spiritual failing – a reliance on magic or superstition rather than God's protection. This shows a profound distrust in YHWH and an embrace of pagan influences, underscoring the spiritual sickness underlying the external show.

Isaiah 3 20 Bonus section

The detailed enumeration of personal items in Isaiah 3, culminating in verse 20, demonstrates God's profound awareness of even the intimate details of human lives and His sovereign authority over them. This judgment extends beyond moral transgression to societal behaviors, indicating that excessive materialism and vain outward displays, especially when coupled with injustice or idolatry, incur divine displeasure. The stripping away of these personal items, though seemingly trivial to modern eyes, represents total humiliation in ancient Near Eastern culture, where external appearance often dictated social standing and honor. This passage serves as a powerful biblical illustration of the principle that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (Jas 4:6), applied concretely to the trappings of vanity.

Isaiah 3 20 Commentary

Isaiah 3:20 continues a detailed catalogue of luxury items from which God will strip the women of Jerusalem as part of His judgment. This divine action directly targets the physical manifestations of their pride, extravagance, and misplaced confidence. The catalogue progresses from merely ostentatious clothing (v. 18-19) to accessories that speak to their self-indulgence (perfume boxes) and even their spiritual apostasy (amulets). The "amulets" are especially significant, implying a reliance on charms and magic for protection, a practice antithetical to faith in God alone. This list is not simply a condemnation of fashion but illustrates a heart alienated from God, characterized by arrogance, covetousness, and spiritual infidelity. God’s act of stripping away these items is a vivid metaphor for His dismantling of their false security, pride, and societal standing, revealing their emptiness when true spiritual substance is absent. The judgment intends to humble them and redirect their focus from outward show and self-reliance to a dependence on God, who alone provides true beauty and security.