Isaiah 3:20

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 3:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “the headtires, and the ankle chains, and the sashes, and the perfume-boxes, and the amulets;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

the headtires, and the ankle chains, and the sashes, and the perfume-boxes, and the amulets;
Isaiah 3:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20the headtires, and the ankle chains, and the sashes, and the perfume-boxes, and the amulets;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The bonnets, &c.] This word is used sometimes for the tire of the heads of men, (<262417>Ezekiel 24:17,23) and even for the bonnets of the priests, (<023928>Exodus 39:28 <264418>Ezekiel 44:18). The Targum renders the word “crowns”; the Jewish women wore golden crowns on their heads, in the form of the city of Jerusalem, with which they might not go out on a sabbath dayf75: and the ornaments of the legs; and so the Targum, “the chains or bracelets of the feet;” with which Jarchi and Kimchi agree; but the word is used for a bracelet on the arm in (<100110>2 Samuel 1:10) and Aben Ezra so interprets it here: and the headbands: the, word is rendered “attire” in (<240232>Jeremiah 2:32) according…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“bonnets--turbans. ornaments of the legs--the short stepping-chains from one foot to another, to give a measured gait; attached to the "tinkling ornaments" (Isa 3:16). headbands--literally, "girdles." tablets--rather, "houses of the breath," that is, smelling boxes [Vulgate]. earrings--rather, amulets suspended from the neck or ears, with magic formulÃ&brvbr inscribed; the root means to "whisper" or "conjure."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The bonnets - The “tiara, head-dress, or turban.” The word comes from the verb “to adorn.” The “turban” is almost universally worn in the East. It was worn by the priests, Exodus 39:28; by the bridegroom, Isaiah 61:10; Ezekiel 24:17; and by women. Its form is well known. And the ornaments for the legs - The word used here is derived from a verb signifying “to walk, to go,” particularly to walk in a stately and formal manner - with a measured step, הצעדות hatse‛ādôth, from צעד tsâ‛ad; and thus refers to a proud and lofty gait. The “ornament” which is here referred to is supposed to have been a short chain extending from one foot to the other, worn by the Eastern women to give them a…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Tablets - He seems to mean boxes of perfumes. Isaiah 3:21”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“tablets: Heb. houses of the soul, Probably perfume boxes, as rendered by Bp. Lowth. the earrings: Lechashim probably amulets. Gen 35:4; Exo 32:2; Eze 16:12; Hos 2:13 Isaiah 3:21”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification