Isaiah 3:18

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

In that day {H3117} the Lord {H136} will take away {H5493} the bravery {H8597} of their tinkling ornaments {H5914} about their feet, and their cauls {H7636}, and their round tires like the moon {H7720},

Complete Jewish Bible

On that day Adonai will take away their finery - their anklets, medallions and crescents,

Berean Standard Bible

In that day the Lord will take away their finery: their anklets and headbands and crescents;

American Standard Version

In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, and the cauls, and the crescents;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 3:18 presents a stark prophetic declaration within a broader oracle of divine judgment against Judah and Jerusalem, specifically targeting the pride and ostentation of the "daughters of Zion." The verse foretells a definitive future "day" when the Lord will decisively strip away the elaborate and costly adornments—including their tinkling anklets, decorative hairnets, and crescent-shaped necklaces—that symbolize the societal status, self-sufficiency, and spiritual corruption of the elite women. This act of divine removal signifies a profound humiliation and the dismantling of their worldly glory, serving as a powerful metaphor for the impending national desolation and the severe consequences of a people who have forsaken God for superficiality and pride.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 3:18 is strategically placed within a sustained prophetic indictment of Judah and Jerusalem, commencing in [Isaiah 3:1](/isaiah/3-1 "Isaiah 3:1 - Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem") and extending through [Isaiah 5:30](/isaiah/5-30 "Isaiah 5:30 - The Lord's Anger and the Song of the Vineyard"). More precisely, the verses from [Isaiah 3:16-26](/isaiah/3-16-26 "Isaiah 3:16-26 - The Haughty Daughters of Zion") concentrate on the "daughters of Zion," a designation for the affluent, influential, and morally compromised women of Jerusalem. Isaiah 3:18 meticulously enumerates specific items of their luxurious attire, which are not merely fashion accessories but potent symbols of their haughty demeanor, self-absorption, and misplaced confidence. The preceding verses vividly describe their arrogant walk and provocative glances, while the subsequent verses detail the complete and humiliating reversal of their fortunes, where their cherished beauty will be replaced by shame, and their finery by desolation, ultimately culminating in the city's lamentation and barrenness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Judah, particularly Jerusalem, was characterized by distinct social strata where outward appearance, especially for women, served as a crucial indicator of status, wealth, and social standing. Elaborate clothing, intricate jewelry, and specific hairstyles were not simply aesthetic choices but deeply embedded cultural markers. The "tinkling ornaments" (anklets), "cauls" (hairnets), and "round tires like the moon" (crescent-shaped pendants) mentioned in the verse were likely high-value items, possibly imported or crafted with exceptional skill, signifying immense wealth. The "round tires like the moon" (Hebrew: _sahărôn_) could also carry significant pagan connotations, as crescent moon symbols were widely associated with various ancient Near Eastern deities (e.g., the Mesopotamian moon god Sin), potentially suggesting syncretism or outright idolatry within Judahite society. This spiritual compromise further condemned their state in God's eyes. The overarching historical backdrop is one of increasing moral decay, social injustice, and spiritual apostasy, which collectively led to God's impending judgment, frequently manifested through foreign invasion and subsequent exile, which would inevitably strip away all such outward displays of national pride and individual status.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent within the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** against human pride and arrogance, particularly when manifested in outward displays of vanity and self-sufficiency. God's deliberate act of stripping away these adornments symbolizes the **Humiliation of the Haughty**, serving as a divine demonstration that true honor and security do not reside in material possessions or social status but in righteousness and humble dependence on the Lord. It also vividly illustrates the **Consequences of Spiritual Decay**, showing how external pomp and superficiality are often symptomatic of a deeper internal rebellion against God. The specific judgment pronounced upon the "daughters of Zion" functions as a microcosm for the impending, comprehensive judgment on the entire nation for its pervasive spiritual unfaithfulness, a theme consistently echoed in passages such as [Isaiah 1:4](/isaiah/1-4 "Isaiah 1:4 - A Sinful Nation").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bravery (Hebrew, _tiphʼârâh'_):** From the root _pa'ar_ (to glorify, adorn), this word signifies ornament, splendor, beauty, glory, or majesty. In this context, "bravery" refers to the ostentatious display, the magnificent show, or the proud splendor of the women's attire and demeanor. It encapsulates the very essence of the pride and self-importance that God intends to dismantle. Its removal signifies the stripping away of their perceived honor and the source of their haughty self-image.
* **tinkling ornaments (Hebrew, _ʻekeç'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to fetter" or "to bind," this term refers to anklets, often worn in pairs, designed to produce a jingling or tinkling sound as the wearer walked. These were not merely decorative but, by their audible presence, drew attention to the women's gait and presence, contributing significantly to their haughty and provocative display as described in [Isaiah 3:16](/isaiah/3-16 "Isaiah 3:16 - The Haughty Daughters of Zion"). Their removal signifies the silencing of their proud walk and the cessation of their self-aggrandizing public display.
* **round tires like the moon (Hebrew, _sahărôn'_):** This term denotes crescent-shaped pendants or amulets, typically worn around the neck. The explicit comparison "like the moon" is highly significant, as such ornaments were frequently associated with the worship of lunar deities common throughout the ancient Near East. Thus, beyond being mere fashion accessories, these items could symbolize a deeper spiritual apostasy or syncretism, where the people's adornments reflected a departure from exclusive devotion to Yahweh. Their removal signifies not only the loss of material wealth and status but also the dismantling of any idolatrous attachments and the judgment upon their spiritual defilement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In that day the Lord will take away"**: This opening phrase serves as a powerful prophetic idiom, "that day" (Hebrew, _yôwm_) referring to a specific, decisive future time of God's direct intervention, often bringing severe judgment upon the wicked and, conversely, salvation for the righteous. Here, it unmistakably signifies a time of reckoning for Judah's pervasive pride and moral decay. "The Lord" (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây_), an emphatic and sovereign title for God, underscores His absolute authority and active, intentional role in initiating this judgment. The verb "take away" (Hebrew, _çûwr_) emphasizes the deliberate, forceful, and complete removal of these items, signifying a profound reversal of fortunes and the stripping away of all perceived status and security.
* **"the bravery of [their] tinkling ornaments [about their feet],"**: "Bravery" (Hebrew, _tiphʼârâh_) in this context refers to the splendor, magnificence, or ostentatious display derived from their adornments. The "tinkling ornaments" are specifically anklets that produced a distinct sound, designed to draw attention to the wearers' movements. This clause vividly highlights how the women's pride was overtly expressed through their gait and the audible presence of their costly jewelry, all of which God intends to silence, remove, and ultimately humiliate.
* **"and [their] cauls,"**: This refers to decorative hairnets or head-nets, which were often intricately woven and adorned, signifying a woman's meticulous attention to her appearance and her elevated social standing. Their removal by divine decree means the disheveling of their carefully coiffed hair and the loss of a key element of their perceived beauty, honor, and social identity.
* **"and [their] round tires like the moon,"**: These are crescent-shaped ornaments, most likely necklaces or pendants. The comparison "like the moon" not only describes their distinctive shape but, as discussed in the Key Word Analysis, strongly alludes to pagan lunar worship. This suggests that these items were not merely fashion but could also be symbols of idolatrous practices or a syncretistic faith that compromised their devotion to Yahweh. Their removal signifies a comprehensive stripping away of all that contributed to their worldly glory and, crucially, the dismantling of their spiritual defilement and idolatrous attachments.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah masterfully employs powerful **Symbolism** throughout this passage. The elaborate and costly garments and ornaments of the "daughters of Zion" are far more than mere fashion items; they profoundly symbolize the nation's spiritual pride, its misplaced self-sufficiency, and its deep moral decay. Their haughty walk and ostentatious display serve as a vivid representation of the broader societal arrogance and pervasive rejection of God's righteous ways. The divine act of the Lord "taking away" these items is a potent symbolic act of judgment, representing the complete stripping away of Judah's glory, prestige, and its illusory sense of security. Furthermore, there is a profound element of **Irony** at play. What the women considered their "bravery" or splendor—the very source of their pride, beauty, and social standing—will paradoxically become the precise instruments of their humiliation and shame. Their desire to attract attention through their finery will result in a direct divine intervention that brings about their ultimate disgrace and public exposure.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 3:18 powerfully illustrates God's unwavering opposition to human pride and vanity, especially when it manifests as a misplaced confidence in worldly possessions and external appearances rather than in Him. This impending judgment is not merely about fashion choices but profoundly about the posture of the heart—a heart that has become self-absorbed, spiritually barren, and overtly rebellious against divine authority. The stripping away of these symbols of status serves as a divine object lesson, vividly revealing the transient and ephemeral nature of all earthly glory and the ultimate emptiness of a life lived apart from a humble and dependent relationship with God. It underscores the timeless biblical principle that true beauty, honor, and lasting security are internal, rooted deeply in righteousness, humility, and unwavering faith, not in external adornments or fleeting social standing.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [1 Peter 3:3-4](/1_peter/3-3-4 "True Adornment of the Heart")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "God Opposes the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 3:18 serves as a timeless and convicting mirror for contemporary society, compelling us to critically examine the true sources of our confidence, identity, and perceived worth. In an age often profoundly shaped by consumerism, the pervasive influence of social media, and the relentless cultivation of outward image, this verse stands as a stark reminder that true security, lasting beauty, and genuine fulfillment are not found in what we possess, what we wear, or how others perceive us, but fundamentally in our relationship with God and the Christ-like character we diligently cultivate. It calls us to a profound and active humility, recognizing that all earthly glories are inherently fleeting and can be stripped away in an instant. Our primary focus, therefore, should be on cultivating an inner beauty of spirit, marked by righteousness, compassion, integrity, and a humble walk with God, rather than on external displays that often serve to mask a deeper spiritual emptiness. This passage invites us to rigorously re-evaluate our priorities, to discern what truly holds eternal value, and to align our hearts and lives with God's unchanging and eternal perspective, lest we, like the haughty daughters of Zion, find our "bravery" tragically turned to shame.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "tinkling ornaments" or "cauls" in my own life—material possessions, achievements, or social standing—that I might be relying on for identity, security, or self-worth, rather than God alone?**
* **How does my outward appearance, my spending habits, or my engagement with social media reflect my inner spiritual state and priorities?**
* **In what specific ways might I be prioritizing external validation and human approval over cultivating a humble, righteous, and God-honoring heart?**
* **What practical steps can I take to "take away" or divest myself of attitudes, possessions, or pursuits that hinder my spiritual growth and true, radical dependence on the Lord?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the specific ornaments mentioned in Isaiah 3:18?**

Answer: The specific ornaments listed—"tinkling ornaments" (anklets), "cauls" (hairnets), and "round tires like the moon" (crescent-shaped pendants)—are highly symbolic and deeply significant. They represent the extravagant wealth, elevated social status, and self-indulgent pride of the elite women of Jerusalem, collectively referred to as the "daughters of Zion" in [Isaiah 3:16](/isaiah/3-16 "Isaiah 3:16 - The Haughty Daughters of Zion"). These items were not merely fashion accessories but were integral to their public display of haughtiness and their perceived "bravery" or splendor. The "round tires like the moon" (Hebrew: _sahărôn_) carry a particularly potent significance, potentially alluding to pagan lunar worship common in the ancient Near East, suggesting that their adornments were not only symbols of vanity but possibly of idolatry or syncretism, further condemning their spiritual state before God. God's deliberate act of stripping them away signifies a complete and humiliating reversal of their fortunes, turning their perceived glory into profound shame and their high status into utter desolation, as a direct and just consequence of their spiritual rebellion and pride.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 3:18, with its piercing prophecy of stripping away worldly glory and human adornments in judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound reversal in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "daughters of Zion" boasted in their external "bravery" and ostentatious adornments, which were ultimately and justly taken away in divine judgment. In stark and glorious contrast, Christ, though possessing all divine glory and majesty as God, "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). He willingly divested Himself of His heavenly splendor and divine prerogatives to enter a world steeped in sin and suffering, not to accumulate earthly adornments or status, but to bear the shame, humiliation, and righteous judgment that humanity justly deserved. His true "bravery" was not found in outward show or material possessions, but in His perfect obedience, His unwavering love, and His sacrificial death on the cross, where He was stripped naked, publicly humiliated, and made a spectacle. Yet, through this very act of profound self-abasement, He secured eternal glory and true, imperishable beauty for all who believe in Him. Unlike the fleeting and perishable ornaments of Isaiah's day, the righteousness and salvation offered by Christ are an imperishable "garment of salvation" and a "robe of righteousness" ([Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garment of Salvation")), providing a true and lasting adornment that can never be taken away. In Christ alone, we discover our true worth and identity, not in what we wear or possess, but in being eternally clothed with His perfect life and atoning death, thereby becoming "beautiful in holiness" ([Psalm 29:2](/psalm/29-2 "Psalm 29:2 - The Glory of the Lord")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 8:21

Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man [is, so is] his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that [were] on their camels' necks.

Judges 8:26

And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred [shekels] of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that [was] on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that [were] about their camels' necks.