Isaiah Chapter 3

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Chapter Overview

Isaiah 3 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of redemption, salvation, fellowship. Written during the Assyrian and pre-exilic periods (c. 740-680 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Addressed Judah during Assyria's rise, Babylon's threat, and anticipated restoration.

The chapter can be divided into several sections:

  1. Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
  2. Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
  3. Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
  4. Verses 21-26: Conclusion and application

This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Isaiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.

Judgment on Jerusalem

1 For, behold, the LordLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, References Lord: Isaiah 1:24. Parallel theme: Isaiah 2:22, Leviticus 26:26, Ezekiel 14:13

2 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophetProphet: נָבִיא (Navi). The Hebrew navi (נָבִיא) means prophet—one who speaks God's word to the people. Prophets received divine revelation and declared God's message, often calling Israel to repentance and foretelling future events., and the prudent, and the ancient,

3 The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. Parallel theme: Exodus 18:21, Deuteronomy 1:15, Judges 8:18, 1 Samuel 8:12

4 And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. Parallel theme: 2 Chronicles 36:9, Ecclesiastes 10:16

5 And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable. Parallel theme: Malachi 3:5

6 When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand: Parallel theme: Isaiah 4:1, John 6:15

7 In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people. Parallel theme: Hosea 5:13

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 gloryGlory: כָּבוֹד (Kavod). The Hebrew kavod (כָּבוֹד) literally means 'weight' or 'heaviness,' metaphorically denoting glory, honor, or majesty. God's glory (Shekinah) filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34) and temple (1 Kings 8:11).. References Lord: 1 Corinthians 10:22. Parallel theme: Hosea 7:16

9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sinSin: חַטָּאת (Chatta'ah). The Hebrew chatta'ah (חַטָּאת) means sin—missing the mark of God's standard. It encompasses rebellion, transgression, and falling short of divine holiness. as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves. Sin: Genesis 13:13. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 6:15

10 Say ye to the righteousRighteous: צַדִּיק (Tzaddik). The Hebrew tzaddik (צַדִּיק) describes one who is righteous, just, or lawful—conforming to God's standard. From the root tzedek (צֶדֶק), meaning righteousness or justice., that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Righteousness: Zephaniah 2:3, Malachi 3:18, Hebrews 6:10. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 8:12, Jeremiah 15:11, Ezekiel 9:4

11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. Evil: Isaiah 48:22, Psalms 28:4, Ecclesiastes 8:13. Parallel theme: Isaiah 65:20, Psalms 62:12, Proverbs 1:31, 2 Corinthians 5:10, James 2:13 +3

12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. Parallel theme: Isaiah 3:4, 2 Kings 11:1, Nahum 3:13, Matthew 15:14

13 The LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people. References Lord: Micah 6:2

14 The LORD will enter into judgmentJudgment: מִשְׁפָּט (Mishpat). The Hebrew mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment or justice—God's righteous decisions and ordinances. God is the Judge of all the earth who 'shall do right' (Genesis 18:25), executing perfect justice. with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses. Judgment: Isaiah 5:7, Job 22:4, Psalms 143:2, James 2:6. References Lord: Psalms 14:4. Parallel theme: Job 24:9, Jeremiah 5:27, Amos 4:1 +3

15 What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts. References Lord: Psalms 94:5

16 Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: References Lord: Isaiah 3:18, 4:4. Kingdom: Matthew 21:5. Related: Song of Solomon 3:11. Parallel theme: Isaiah 1:8, 24:4, Proverbs 16:18, 30:13, Zephaniah 3:11, Luke 23:28 +5

17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. Parallel theme: Isaiah 20:4, Jeremiah 13:22, Micah 1:11

18 In that day the LordLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty. will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, Parallel theme: Judges 8:21

19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, Parallel theme: Ezekiel 16:11

20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, Parallel theme: Exodus 39:28

21 The rings, and nose jewels, Parallel theme: Genesis 24:47

22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,

23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.

24 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. Parallel theme: Isaiah 15:3, 22:12, Leviticus 26:16, Esther 2:12, Lamentations 2:10, Ezekiel 27:31, Amos 8:10, Micah 1:16, 1 Peter 3:3, Revelation 16:9 +5

25 Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.

26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground. Parallel theme: Job 2:13, Jeremiah 14:2, Lamentations 1:4, 2:10