Isaiah 3:16

“Moreover the Lord saith, because the daughters of Zion are haughty, &c.] The wives or daughters of the rulers, princes, or elders; these were “high”, affected to look high and tall, and therefore stretched out their necks, and walked on tiptoes; or “were lifted up” with pride, which is the root and source of all the vanity expressed in their gesture and ornaments. And walk with stretched forth necks or “throats”; looking high, and above others, and upon them with contempt and disdain; this is a sign of pride; (see <197505>Psalm 75:5): and wanton eyes; either winking with their eyes to others to follow them to their houses, as Kimchi interprets it; so Jarchi thinks it is expressive of their…”

“Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, &c.--Luxury had become great in Uzziah's prosperous reign (Ch2 26:5). stretched forth--proudly elevated (Psa 75:5). wanton--rather, "making the eyes to glance about," namely, wantonly (Pro 6:13) [MAURER]. But LOWTH, "falsely setting off the eyes with paint." Women's eyelids in the East are often colored with stibium, or powder of lead (see on Job 42:14; Jer 4:30, Margin). mincing--tripping with short steps. tinkling--with their ankle-rings on both feet, joined by small chains, which sound as they walk, and compel them to take short steps; sometimes little bells were attached (Isa 3:18, Isa 3:20).”

“Moreover, the Lord saith - In the previous parts of this prophecy, the prophet had rebuked the princes, magistrates, and the people generally. In the remainder of this chapter, he reproves with great severity the pride, luxury, and effeminacy of the female part of the Jewish community. Some interpreters have understood this as designed to reprove the pride and luxury of the “cities” and “towns” of Judah, regarded as “daughters of Zion;” see the note at Isaiah 1:8. But this interpretation is far-fetched and absurd. On this principle everything in the Bible might be turned into allegory. The daughters of Zion - Jewish females; they who dwelt in “Zion.” Perhaps he means particularly those who…”

“The daughters - The women; (hitherto he reproved the men). A tinkling - By some ornaments which they wore upon their shoes. Isaiah 3:17”

“3:16–4:1 This passage applies the prophet’s teaching on arrogance (see 2:11-12) to the people of Jerusalem. An alternate understanding is that this passage applies specifically to the women of Jerusalem. 3:16 The dramatic descriptions show how the people of Jerusalem loved their refined way of life. They openly displayed their proud self-reliance, power, and prestige. • Beautiful Zion: See “Zion” Theme Note.”

“the daughters: Isa 1:8, Isa 4:4; Mat 21:5; Luk 23:28 are haughty: Isa 24:4, Isa 32:9-11; Pro 16:18, Pro 30:13; Eze 16:49, Eze 16:50; Zep 3:11 wanton eyes: Heb. deceiving with their eyes, Or, as messakkaroth ainayim is rendered in the Targum, "painting their eyes with stibium": for sakar is probably the same as the Chaldee sekar or that import. mincing: or, tripping nicely and making: The Eastern ladies wear on their ankles large rings to which smaller ones are attached, which make a tinkling sound as they move nimbly. Isaiah 3:17”

“But notwithstanding the dramatic vividness with which the prophet pictures to himself this scene of judgment, he is obliged to break off at the very beginning of his description, because another word of Jehovah comes upon him. This applies to the women of Jerusalem, whose authority, at the time when Isaiah prophesied, was no less influential than that of their husbands who had forgotten their calling. "Jehovah hath spoken: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk about with extended throat, and blinking with the eyes, walk about with tripping gait, and tinkle with their foot-ornaments: the Lord of all makes the crown of the daughters of Zion scabbed, and Jehovah will uncover their…”