Isaiah 3:22 kjv
The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,
Isaiah 3:22 nkjv
the festal apparel, and the mantles; The outer garments, the purses,
Isaiah 3:22 niv
the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses
Isaiah 3:22 esv
the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags;
Isaiah 3:22 nlt
party clothes, gowns, capes, and purses;
Isaiah 3 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 3:16 | Moreover the LORD says: “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks... | Pride preceding the judgment. |
| Isa 3:18 | In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents... | Beginning of the specific list of judgment. |
| Hos 2:9-13 | Therefore I will take back My grain in its time and My new wine in its season; I will snatch away My wool and My linen... I will strip her of her lewdness. | God stripping away blessings due to sin. |
| Jer 13:26 | I will strip your skirts from your face, that your shame may be seen. | Judgment as public shame. |
| Ezek 16:37-39 | I will gather all your lovers with whom you took pleasure, and all those you loved... and expose your nakedness to them... I will also strip you of your clothes. | God exposing shame, stripping garments. |
| Rev 18:7-8 | In proportion to her luxury and luxury, give her so much torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, 'I sit as queen...' Therefore her plagues will come in one day. | Judgment on Babylon for pride and luxury. |
| Zeph 1:8 | And it shall be, in the day of the LORD’s sacrifice, That I will punish the princes and the king’s children, And all such as are clothed with foreign apparel. | Judgment on those adorned in foreign fashion. |
| Mic 1:11 | Pass by in nakedness, you inhabitant of Zaanan; The lamentation of Bethezel shall take from you its support. | Divine judgment leading to humiliation. |
| Jer 4:30 | And when you are plundered, what will you do? Though you clothe yourself with crimson, Though you adorn yourself with ornaments of gold, Though you enlarge your eyes with paint, In vain you will make yourself fair. | Vain attempts at beauty during judgment. |
| Lam 2:10 | The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground and keep silence; They have thrown dust on their heads... The virgins of Jerusalem bow their heads to the ground. | Despair and complete destitution. |
| Isa 20:4 | So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as captives and the Ethiopians as exiles, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt. | Prophetic sign of humiliation. |
| Isa 47:2-3 | Take the millstones and grind meal. Remove your veil, strip off the skirt, uncover the thigh... Your nakedness shall be uncovered. | Judgment as exposure and stripping. |
| Hos 2:3 | Otherwise I will strip her naked And expose her as on the day she was born. | Utter stripping and humiliation. |
| Jer 22:15 | "Did your father not eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him." | Contrast with righteous living vs. luxury. |
| Amos 6:4-7 | Those who lie on beds of ivory... who drink wine from bowls, And anoint themselves with the best oils, But are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. | Condemnation of indulgent lifestyle. |
| 1 Tim 2:9-10 | ...likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. | Instruction for modest attire, contrast. |
| 1 Pet 3:3-4 | Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. | Importance of inner beauty over external adornment. |
| Matt 6:19-21 | “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." | Focus on eternal riches, not material. |
| Luke 12:15 | And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” | Warning against covetousness and materialism. |
| Rev 17:4 | The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. | Symbolism of corrupted wealth in Revelation. |
| Deut 28:48 | therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck. | Result of disobedience: lack of all things. |
Isaiah 3 verses
Isaiah 3 22 Meaning
Isaiah 3:22 details several articles of luxurious clothing and jewelry that the women of Zion proudly wore, which God declared He would strip away from them as a sign of judgment. This divine action symbolizes the complete humiliation, loss of status, and reversal of fortune that awaits a proud and disobedient people. The removal of these outward displays of wealth and beauty signifies a profound shift from their current state of pomp and indulgence to one of destitution, shame, and mourning.
Isaiah 3 22 Context
Isaiah chapter 3 unfolds a comprehensive prophecy of divine judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem, particularly focusing on societal decay and corrupt leadership. Following a declaration that the Lord will remove every stay and support (Isa 3:1), causing societal breakdown and the rise of unqualified leaders (Isa 3:4-5), the prophet denounces the people for their open sin (Isa 3:8-9). The focus then shifts dramatically in Isaiah 3:16 to the "daughters of Zion," referring to the aristocratic women of Jerusalem. Their haughtiness, provocative walk, and obsession with ostentatious display are singled out for specific condemnation. Verse 22 continues this detailed indictment, listing many of the specific articles of their opulent attire and accessories, reinforcing that God's judgment will strip away not just their material possessions, but their status, beauty, and very identity as proud individuals, leaving them desolate and humbled. This historical context reveals a society ripe for judgment due to widespread moral decay, pride, and disregard for God's covenant, with these women epitomizing the outward manifestations of that inward rebellion.
Isaiah 3 22 Word analysis
shawls (מַחֲלָפֹת - makhalafot): Refers to a change of garments, or literally "changes," implying festive or extra cloaks. It could also suggest hair braided in coils or elaborate head-dresses, signifying status and elegance.
wimples (מַעֲטָפוֹת - ma'ataphot): Heavy outer cloaks or wraps, providing warmth and a sense of dignity or privacy. Symbolizes comfort and protection.
headbands (טְפָחוֹת - t'fakhot): Often translated as "girdles" or "sashes" from "tephach" meaning "span" (handbreadth). It implies decorative bands, possibly broad sashes or ceremonial head adornments, indicating fashion and perhaps religious or social identity.
crescents (שַׂהֲרֹנִים - saharonim): Crescent-shaped ornaments worn as necklaces, earrings, or even on camel necks. These were often associated with pagan worship (e.g., lunar deities) or amulets, suggesting idolatrous syncretism or superstitious practices for protection.
pendants (נְטִיפֹת - n'tifot): Teardrop-shaped earrings or dangling ornaments. Emphasizes delicate and expensive jewelry, enhancing facial beauty.
bracelets (שֵׁירוֹת - sheyrot): Chains worn on wrists or ankles, often made of precious metals, signifying wealth and adornment.
veils (רְעָלוֹת - re'alot): Thin, fluttering veils. These delicate facial coverings could be used for modesty or for enhancing allure, but also marked the women as belonging to the elite who could afford such luxuries.
headbands (קִשֻּׁרִים - kishurim): Another type of binding or girding, possibly belts or hairnets/head-bands with interwoven precious stones or embroidery, marking sophisticated adornment.
anklets (כְּפִיפִים - k'fifim): Ankle chains or ornaments, possibly creating a tinkling sound as the women walked, drawing attention and demonstrating their leisure from labor. This contributes to the haughty demeanor mentioned earlier.
sashes (אֲבָנִים - avanim): Literally "stones," suggesting stone-set sashes or belts embedded with jewels. These would be very costly and a significant display of wealth.
perfume boxes (בָּתֵּי נֶפֶשׁ - battey nephesh): Literally "houses of breath/soul," referring to small containers for perfumed powders or smelling salts. These indicate a lifestyle of leisure, luxury, and attention to personal scent.
amulets (לְחָשִׁים - lechashim): Charms or talismans believed to offer magical protection, often involving whispered incantations. This points to widespread pagan influence and a reliance on superstition rather than on God for security.
finger rings (טַבַּעוֹת - taba'ot): Rings worn on fingers, common adornments for wealth and status.
nose rings (נֶזֶם - nezem): Rings worn through the nose, or possibly ears. Another form of jewelry signifying opulence, also common in the ancient Near East, sometimes associated with specific deities or pagan practices.
Group analysis: The verse presents a comprehensive catalogue (14 distinct items listed in English translations, from a larger list in vv.18-24) of feminine adornment covering hair, face, neck, body, and limbs. This extensive inventory underscores the women's complete obsession with external appearances and material possessions. Many of these items (crescents, amulets) carried connotations of pagan ritual or superstitious beliefs, hinting at their spiritual unfaithfulness. The sheer quantity of luxurious items symbolizes extreme vanity, a desire to stand out, and an overall lifestyle of self-indulgence and pride, which directly contravenes the covenant principles of humility and reliance on God. The removal of each item in judgment signifies a gradual and complete stripping away of their glory, status, and false sense of security.
Isaiah 3 22 Bonus section
The precise meaning of some Hebrew terms for clothing and accessories can be debated among scholars due to their rarity or lack of exact modern equivalents. However, the overarching theme remains consistent: the overwhelming display of luxurious adornment signifies excess, pride, and often a detachment from true godliness. This divine judgment is a rhetorical device, using vivid imagery of removal to powerfully convey the reversal of fortunes and the depth of the impending desolation. The contrast between their elaborate finery and the future state of "burning" instead of "beauty" (Isa 3:24) emphasizes the completeness of the judgment.
Isaiah 3 22 Commentary
Isaiah 3:22 is a poignant detail within a broader prophetic condemnation of Judah's moral and spiritual decay. It exposes the superficiality and misplaced priorities of the women of Jerusalem, who symbolized the nation's haughty spirit. The extensive list of adornments—ranging from garments and jewelry to potentially cultic items like crescents and amulets—reveals a people consumed by outward appearance, luxury, and even idolatrous practices. God's declaration to strip these away signifies a divine act of humiliation, revealing their true, naked state before Him. It is not merely about modesty or condemnation of fashion, but about judging a heart of pride, self-sufficiency, and reliance on material things and pagan charms instead of the Lord. The impending desolation will reverse their current state of beauty and pleasure into one of shame, mourning, and loss of everything they treasured.