Isaiah 3:24

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell {H1314} there shall be stink {H4716}; and instead of a girdle {H2290} a rent {H5364}; and instead of well set {H4639} hair {H4748} baldness {H7144}; and instead of a stomacher {H6614} a girding {H4228} of sackcloth {H8242}; and burning {H3587} instead of beauty {H3308}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, there will be instead of perfume, a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well-set hair, a shaved scalp; instead of a rich robe, a sackcloth skirt; and a slave-brand instead of beauty.

Berean Standard Bible

Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.

American Standard Version

And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet spices there shall be rottenness; and instead of a girdle, a rope; and instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a robe, a girding of sackcloth; branding instead of beauty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 3:24 delivers a stark prophetic declaration of divine judgment against the proud and vain women of Jerusalem and Judah, symbolizing a broader societal collapse. It vividly portrays a complete reversal of their cherished status and luxurious adornments, transforming symbols of beauty, fragrance, and opulence into signs of decay, shame, and mourning. This verse serves as a powerful testament to God's righteous indignation against human pride and spiritual rebellion, demonstrating that outward show cannot mask inner corruption and that true glory is found only in Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 3:24 concludes a specific indictment against the "daughters of Zion" (Isaiah 3:16-23), who are condemned for their haughtiness, excessive ornamentation, and superficiality. This section is part of a larger prophecy (Isaiah 2-5) detailing God's judgment on Judah and Jerusalem for their idolatry, injustice, and moral decay. The immediate verses describe the removal of various articles of their elaborate attire, leading directly into the ultimate reversal of their beauty into desolation. This judgment on the women serves as a microcosm of the broader societal and national humiliation that will befall Judah, emphasizing that even the most esteemed and outwardly glorious aspects of their culture will be stripped away. The passage sets the stage for the lament over Jerusalem's desolation and the promise of a future remnant (Isaiah 4).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Isaiah was delivered during a period of relative prosperity but increasing moral decline in Judah, particularly under kings Uzziah and Jotham, and later Ahaz and Hezekiah. Jerusalem's elite, including its women, indulged in extravagant fashion and luxury, reflecting a society that had grown complacent and spiritually bankrupt. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a woman's appearance, including her perfumes, elaborate hairstyles, and fine garments, was a significant marker of status, wealth, and social standing. The prophetic denunciation of these specific items underscores the cultural context where external show had replaced genuine piety. The promised "stink," "baldness," and "sackcloth" were not merely inconveniences but profound public shames, indicative of deep mourning, disease, or even enslavement, symbolizing the complete loss of honor and divine favor that would come upon Judah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Isaiah and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Reversal**, where God actively intervenes to humble the proud and bring low those who exalt themselves. What was once a source of pride and beauty becomes an object of shame and decay, illustrating God's uncompromising justice against sin. It also underscores the **Consequences of Pride and Vanity**, particularly the dangers of idolatry of self and material possessions. The judgment directly targets the very things the women esteemed, turning their perceived glory into disgrace. Furthermore, the passage speaks to **Moral and Spiritual Decay**, suggesting that the outward superficiality of the "daughters of Zion" reflected a deeper spiritual emptiness and rebellion against God. This aligns with the biblical principle that [pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction"), and that true beauty is not external but internal, as seen in passages like [1 Peter 3:3-4](/1_peter/3-3-4 "1 Peter 3:3-4 - Adornment of the Inner Self").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sweet smell (Hebrew, _besem'_):** From H1314, meaning "fragrance; by implication, spicery; also the balsam plant; smell, spice, sweet (odour)." This word refers to a pleasant **fragrance** or **spicery**, indicating expensive perfumes and aromatic oils used for adornment and status in ancient Israel. Its presence signified luxury and refinement. Its replacement by "stink" in the verse signifies not merely the absence of pleasantness, but a complete reversal into **putridity** and **decay**, symbolizing utter spiritual and physical corruption and loss of honor.
* **Stink (Hebrew, _maq'_):** From H4716, meaning "from מָקַק; properly, a melting, i.e. putridity; rottenness, stink." Derived from a root meaning "to melt" or "to rot," this term denotes **putridity** and **rottenness**. Its juxtaposition with "sweet smell" vividly portrays the extent of the degradation and the repulsive state that will replace former beauty, indicating a complete loss of vitality, honor, and God's favor due to judgment.
* **Beauty (Hebrew, _yŏphîy'_):** From H3308, meaning "from יָפָה; beauty; beauty." This term denotes **splendor**, **comeliness**, or overall attractiveness. It encapsulates the aesthetic appeal that the women sought to cultivate through their elaborate adornments. Its replacement by "burning" suggests a permanent disfigurement or branding, indicating a complete and irreversible destruction of their outward glory, a lasting mark of shame and divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink":** This clause initiates the series of reversals, contrasting the highly valued perfumes and aromatic oils, which signified luxury and refinement, with a repulsive stench. This transformation represents a complete decay, not just of physical pleasantness but also of moral and spiritual integrity, indicating a state of putrefaction and disgrace.
* **"and instead of a girdle a rent":** The "girdle" (Hebrew: _chăgôwr_) refers to an ornamental belt or sash, a significant item of fashionable attire worn by the elite. Its replacement by a "rent" (Hebrew: _niqpâh_, meaning a torn garment or perhaps a gash) signifies disfigurement, the tearing of fine clothing as a sign of deep mourning, distress, or physical injury. This symbolizes the stripping away of dignity, the loss of social standing, and the onset of profound sorrow and public shame.
* **"and instead of well set hair baldness":** This contrast highlights the loss of a major aspect of feminine beauty and social status. "Well set hair" (Hebrew: _miqsheh_) implies elaborate, carefully styled coiffures, indicative of leisure and wealth. "Baldness" (Hebrew: _qorchâh_) was a profound sign of shame, deep grief, disease, or even punishment in ancient Israel, indicating utter humiliation, degradation, and the complete stripping away of personal adornment and honor.
* **"and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth":** A "stomacher" (Hebrew: _pᵉthîygîyl_) refers to a fine, possibly figured, mantle or ceremonial robe worn over the chest, signifying wealth, festive occasions, and high status. Its replacement by "a girding of sackcloth" (Hebrew: _saq_) is a powerful and universally recognized symbol of deep lamentation, repentance, humiliation, or extreme distress. This dramatic shift from celebratory attire to garments of profound sorrow marks a complete and devastating change in their circumstances and public image.
* **"and burning instead of beauty":** This final and most devastating contrast speaks of a permanent disfigurement and the ultimate reversal. "Beauty" (Hebrew: _yŏphîy_) encompasses overall splendor, comeliness, and attractiveness. "Burning" (Hebrew: _kîy_) suggests a brand, a scorch mark, a festering sore, or even the searing pain of judgment. This implies a lasting mark of shame or punishment, a permanent scar that replaces their former radiance, signifying the irreversible consequences of their pride, rebellion, and the complete destruction of their outward glory.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 3:24 masterfully employs several literary devices to amplify its message of judgment and reversal. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, or stark contrast, where each item of luxury and beauty is directly juxtaposed with its humiliating opposite (sweet smell vs. stink, well set hair vs. baldness, beauty vs. burning). This repeated structure emphasizes the completeness and severity of the divine judgment. **Symbolism** is also heavily at play, as the specific items of adornment (perfume, girdles, hair, stomachers) are not merely physical objects but potent symbols of the women's pride, status, and outward focus. Their reversal into "stink," "rent," "baldness," "sackcloth," and "burning" symbolizes the complete stripping away of their dignity, honor, and God's favor. The verse also exhibits a strong sense of **Parallelism**, specifically an antithetical parallelism, where each clause mirrors the structure of the previous one, reinforcing the theme of reversal with rhythmic intensity. This repetitive structure creates a powerful and memorable prophetic pronouncement of doom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 3:24 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering justice and His disdain for human pride and superficiality. Theologically, it asserts that true worth and beauty are not found in external adornment or social status, but in a humble heart devoted to God. The judgment pronounced here is a vivid reminder that God will not tolerate a people whose hearts are far from Him, even if their outward appearance suggests prosperity. It highlights the biblical principle that sin, particularly the sin of pride and self-idolatry, inevitably leads to humiliation and decay. The passage serves as a warning against misplaced priorities, urging believers to seek an inner spiritual beauty that endures, rather than fleeting worldly glory. It underscores that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to a people who have forsaken His ways, turning their glory into shame.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [1 Peter 3:3-4](/1_peter/3-3-4 "1 Peter 3:3-4 - Adornment of the Inner Self")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 3:24 serves as a timeless mirror for believers today, challenging us to examine the true source of our identity and value. In a culture often obsessed with outward appearance, social media validation, and material possessions, this verse powerfully reminds us that such pursuits are fleeting and ultimately lead to spiritual emptiness. It calls us to cultivate an inner beauty of character, humility, and godliness that is pleasing to God and has eternal significance. The judgment described here is a stark warning against allowing pride and vanity to take root in our hearts, reminding us that God sees beyond the façade and will ultimately bring all things into judgment. Our focus should be on adorning ourselves with acts of righteousness and a gentle and quiet spirit, which are of great worth in God's sight, rather than chasing the ephemeral standards of the world. This passage encourages introspection, prompting us to align our priorities with God's, seeking His glory above our own.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my pursuit of outward appearance or material possessions compare to my cultivation of inner character and spiritual growth?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting pride or vanity that God might be challenging?**
* **What does this passage teach me about God's justice and His perspective on true beauty and lasting value?**

### FAQ
**Why is the judgment in Isaiah 3:24 specifically directed at the women of Zion?**

Answer: While Isaiah's prophecy encompasses a broader condemnation of Judah's sins, the specific focus on the "daughters of Zion" (Isaiah 3:16-23) in the verses immediately preceding Isaiah 3:24 is highly illustrative. These women, representing the elite of Jerusalem, were singled out not because their gender made them inherently more sinful, but because their excessive pride, haughtiness, and extravagant ornamentation were a visible manifestation of the nation's deeper spiritual decay and idolatry. Their vanity symbolized a society that had become self-absorbed, materialistic, and disconnected from God. By targeting their most cherished external attributes—their perfumes, elaborate hairstyles, and fine garments—God demonstrated that He would strip away everything they held dear, reversing their perceived glory into profound shame and desolation. This served as a poignant and culturally impactful example of the complete humiliation that would befall the entire nation for its rebellion against God, underscoring that even the most outwardly beautiful aspects of their culture would be brought low, aligning with the broader theme of judgment found in [Isaiah 2](/isaiah/2 "Isaiah 2 - The Day of the Lord").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 3:24, with its vivid portrayal of beauty turning to burning and fragrance to stink, finds its ultimate reversal and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, marred by sin, was destined for the "stink" and "burning" of divine judgment, having exchanged the glory of God for fleeting, superficial adornments. Yet, Christ, who is the [radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory"), willingly took on the shame and disfigurement of our sin. He became the [suffering servant](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), who had "no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2). On the cross, He endured the ultimate "burning" of God's wrath and the "sackcloth" of human humiliation, bearing the full consequences of our pride and vanity. Through His sacrifice, the curse of sin is reversed for those who believe. Instead of our "stink" of sin, we are clothed in His righteousness, a garment of true beauty (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He transforms our spiritual "baldness" and shame into the glorious adornment of His Spirit, making us part of His bride, the Church, which will one day be presented to Him as a [city adorned for her husband](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem, a Bride Adorned"), perfectly beautiful and without blemish, fulfilling the promise of true and lasting glory found only in Him.

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

Ezekiel 27:31

And they shall make themselves utterly bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee with bitterness of heart [and] bitter wailing.

Lamentations 2:10

¶ The elders of the daughter of Zion sit upon the ground, [and] keep silence: they have cast up dust upon their heads; they have girded themselves with sackcloth: the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground.

Micah 1:16

Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee.

Isaiah 22:12

And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:

Isaiah 15:3

In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.

Esther 2:12

Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, [to wit], six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with [other] things for the purifying of the women;)

1 Peter 3:3

Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;