Isaiah Chapter 3
1 For, behold, the Lord, GOD of Armies, takes away from Jerusalem and from Judah supply and support, the whole supply of bread, and the whole supply of water;
2 the mighty man, the man of war, the judge, the prophet, the diviner, the elder,
3 the captain of fifty, the honourable man, the counsellor, the skilled craftsman, and the clever enchanter.
4 I will give boys to be their princes, and children shall rule over them.
5 The people will be oppressed, everyone by another, and everyone by his neighbour. The child will behave himself proudly against the old man, and the wicked against the honourable.
6 Indeed a man shall take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying, "You have clothing, you be our ruler, and let this ruin be under your hand."
7 In that day he will cry out, saying, "I will not be a healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing. You shall not make me ruler of the people."
8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen; because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
9 The look of their faces testify against them. They parade their sin like Sodom. They don't hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought disaster upon themselves.
10 Tell the righteous "Good!" For they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.
11 Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them; for the deeds of his hands will be paid back to him.
12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. My people, those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.
13 The LORD stands up to contend, and stands to judge the peoples.
14 The LORD will enter into judgement with the elders of his people and their leaders: "It is you who have eaten up the vineyard. The plunder of the poor is in your houses.
15 What do you mean that you crush my people, and grind the face of the poor?" says the Lord, the LORD of Armies.
16 Moreover the LORD said, "Because the daughters of Zion are arrogant, and walk with outstretched necks and flirting eyes, walking to trip as they go, jingling ornaments on their feet;
17 therefore the Lord brings sores on the crown of the head of the women of Zion, and the LORD will make their scalps bald."
18 In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, the headbands, the crescent necklaces,
19 the earrings, the bracelets, the veils,
20 the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume containers, the charms,
21 the signet rings, the nose rings,
22 the fine robes, the capes, the cloaks, the purses,
23 the hand mirrors, the fine linen garments, the tiaras, and the shawls.
24 It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well set hair, baldness; instead of a robe, a wearing of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.
25 Your men shall fall by the sword, and your mighty in the war.
26 Her gates shall lament and mourn. She shall be desolate and sit on the ground.
Footnotes
- Verse 1 (Behold)
- "Behold" means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
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Isaiah Chapter 3 Guide
The prophet now deals with judgment in greater detail, and shows how it will proceed against the rulers and against the women. The judgment in the case of the rulers is to be the destruction of true government and the substitution of incompetent administration, with chaos necessarily resulting. The reason for this, so far as the people are concerned, is the open sin into which they have been led by evil rulers. So far as Jehovah is concerned, He has the cause of the people in His heart, and is against all oppression.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Isaiah Chapter 3 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The calamities about to come upon the land. -- (1-9)
- The wickedness of the people. -- (10-15)
- The distress of the proud, luxurious women of Zion. -- (16-26)
Verses 1-9
God was about to deprive Judah of every stay and support. The city and the land were to be made desolate, because their words and works had been rebellious against the Lord; even at his holy temple. If men do not stay themselves upon God, he will soon remove all other supports, and then they must sink. Christ is the Bread of life and the Water of life; if he be our Stay, we shall find that is a good part not to be taken away, John 6:27. Here note,
- That the condition of sinners is exceedingly woful.
- It is the soul that is damaged by sin.
- Whatever evil befals sinners, be sure that they bring it on themselves.
Verses 10-15
The rule was certain; however there might be national prosperity or trouble, it would be well with the righteous and ill with the wicked. Blessed be God, there is abundant encouragement to the righteous to trust in him, and for sinners to repent and return to him. It was time for the Lord to show his might. He will call men to a strict account for all the wealth and power intrusted to and abused by them. If it is sinful to disregard the necessities of the poor, how odious and wicked a part do they act, who bring men into poverty, and then oppress them!
Verses 16-26
The prophet reproves and warns the daughters of Zion of the sufferings coming upon them. Let them know that God notices the folly and vanity of proud women, even of their dress. The punishments threatened answered the sin. Loathsome diseases often are the just punishment of pride. It is not material to ask what sort of ornaments they wore; many of these things, if they had not been in fashion, would have been ridiculed then as now. Their fashions differed much from those of our times, but human nature is the same. Wasting time and money, to the neglect of piety, charity, and even of justice, displease the Lord. Many professors at the present day, seem to think there is no harm in worldly finery; but were it not a great evil, would the Holy Spirit have taught the prophet to expose it so fully? The Jews being overcome, Jerusalem would be levelled with the ground; which is represented under the idea of a desolate female seated upon the earth. And when the Romans had destroyed Jerusalem, they struck a medal, on which was represented a woman sitting on the ground in a posture of grief. If sin be harboured within the walls, lamentation and mourning are near the gates.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.