Isaiah 3:18

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,

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},

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

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

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

Commentary

Isaiah 3:18 is a prophetic verse from the Old Testament, part of a larger section where the prophet Isaiah pronounces judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem for their sin, pride, and spiritual decay.

Context

This verse falls within Isaiah's scathing indictment of the "daughters of Zion" (introduced in Isaiah 3:16), who represent the wealthy, influential women of Jerusalem. Their elaborate attire and haughty demeanor symbolized the nation's moral and spiritual corruption. The Lord declares that in "that day" – a day of divine judgment – He will strip away their material possessions and symbols of status, replacing their finery with shame and desolation. This serves as a powerful metaphor for the impending downfall and humiliation of Judah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse vividly illustrates God's righteous judgment against pride, vanity, and the misplaced confidence in worldly adornments. It underscores that material wealth and social status offer no protection from divine wrath when a people abandon righteousness.
  • Humiliation of the Haughty: The stripping away of their "bravery" (meaning splendor or finery) signifies the profound humiliation and loss of honor that awaits those who boast in themselves rather than in the Lord.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Decay: The external display of wealth and pride reflected an internal spiritual emptiness and rebellion against God. The removal of these outward symbols directly correlates with the spiritual desolation of the nation.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "bravery" (KJV) in this context refers to the splendor, beauty, or magnificence of their attire and ornaments.
  • "Tinkling ornaments about their feet" likely refers to anklets, possibly with bells, designed to make a sound as the women walked, drawing attention to their gait and presence.
  • "Cauls" were decorative head-nets or hairnets, often intricately woven and adorned.
  • "Round tires like the moon" probably denotes crescent-shaped ornaments, perhaps necklaces or amulets. Some commentators suggest these could have been associated with pagan worship of lunar deities, further emphasizing the spiritual defilement of the people. This highlights a culture that had drifted far from the monotheistic worship commanded by God.

Prophetic Significance and Application

Isaiah 3:18 serves as a stark reminder that true worth and security do not lie in external appearances, material possessions, or social standing. The judgment described here is not merely about fashion; it's about the heart's posture before God. For ancient Judah, it was a prophecy of their impending invasion and exile, where their glory would indeed be stripped away. For us today, it's a timeless principle: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). This verse calls believers to examine where their confidence lies and to avoid the pitfalls of vanity and spiritual pride, recognizing that all true beauty and honor come from living in accordance with God's will.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 8:21 (5 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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.