Zion’s Daughters

Isaiah warned the Israelites of what was to come in the days ahead because of their wickedness. He specifically addressed the wealthy and those in positions of leadership because they were the ones who were living in luxury while oppressing the poor.

Isaiah began with condemning the men, then in 3:16-17 he turned his attention to the women. 

Because the daughters of Zion are haughty

    and walk with outstretched necks,

    glancing wantonly with their eyes,

mincing along as they go,

    tinkling with their feet,

therefore the Lord will strike with a scab

    the heads of the daughters of Zion,

    and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts.

Isaiah goes on the give an exhaustive list of all the jewelry and accessories that the Lord will take away from the women. The list includes anklets, scarves, necklaces, bracelets, headdresses, headbands, perfume boxes, charms, rings, nose rings, purses, mirrors, and robes. 

He closes the chapter with a list of replacements. Instead of the sweet smell of their perfumes, there will be a stench. Instead of their pretty sashes, rope. Baldness will take over their beautiful styled hair. Rich robes replaced with sackcloth. Branding instead of beauty. 

As if that’s not enough, their men will die in battle. 

Verse 25 concludes with, “Her gates shall lament and mourn, And she being desolate shall sit on the ground.”

Isaiah reminds these women that all these things they have are fleeting and will soon be replaced. 

In ten verses Isaiah takes us from women at the height of their arrogant popularity to their tragic fall to the depths of humiliation.

Read about Zion’s daughters: Isaiah 3:16-26

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