Isaiah 3:23

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 3:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “the hand-mirrors, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

the hand-mirrors, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils.
Isaiah 3:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23the hand-mirrors, and the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils.

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 glasses, &c.] Looking glasses, by which they dressed themselves, (see <023808>Exodus 38:8) and so Kimchi explains the word; but elsewheref78 he says it signifies thin garments, so called because the flesh is seen through them, being so exceeding thin; which sense is favoured by the Septuagint version, which renders it by ta diafanh lakwnika, garments which the Lacedemonians wore, which were so thin and transparent, that the naked body might be seen through them: and the fine linen; of which several of their garments and ornaments were made, and particularly their veils, with which they veiled themselves, as Jarchi observes: and the hoods; the word is used for a diadem and mitre,…”
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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
“glasses--mirrors of polished metal (Exo 38:8). But the Septuagint, a transparent, gauze-like, garment. hoods--miters, or diadems (Isa 62:3; Zac 3:5). veils--large enough to cover the head and person. Distinct from the smaller veils ("mufflers") above (Gen 24:65). Token of woman's subjection (Co1 11:10).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The glasses - There is a great variety of opinion about the expression used here. That ancient Jews had “looking-glasses,” or mirrors, is manifest from the account in Exodus 38:8. These “mirrors” were made of polished plates of brass. The Vulgate and Chaldee understand this of “mirrors.” The Septuagint understands by it a “thin, transparent covering like gauze,” perhaps like silk. The word is derived from the verb “to reveal, to make apparent,” etc., and applies either to mirrors or to a splendid shining garment. It is probable that their excessive vanity was evinced by carrying small mirrors in their hands - that they might examine and adjust their dress as might be necessary. This is now…”
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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
“Glasses - The looking - glasses, as we call them, tho' in truth they were not made of glass, but of bright and burnished brass. Isaiah 3:24”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“glasses: Exo 38:8 fine linen: Gen 41:42; Ch1 15:27; Eze 16:10; Luk 16:19; Rev 19:8, Rev 19:14 veils: Gen 24:65; Rut 3:15; Sol 5:7 Isaiah 3:24”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification