Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 3:18
In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of [their] tinkling ornaments [about their feet], and [their] cauls, and [their] round tires like the moon,
18. tinkling ornaments about their feet ] anklets, see on Isa 3:16, where the verb “tinkling” is a denominative from this word. cauls round tires like the moon ] Probably the little suns (others, “wreaths”) and the little moons (Jdg 8:21; Jdg 8:26, R.V. “ornaments”). Both articles are said to be still worn by Arab women.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
18 23. A long and obscure inventory of articles of feminine attire, occurring “in a profusion which it is difficult to represent” (Cheyne). It is reassuring to be reminded by Dillmann that all these things (21 in number) were not necessarily worn at one time. It should also be noted that many of the ornaments specified were used as charms, as is the case with Eastern ornaments to the present day.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
In that day – That is, in the time when he would inflict this exemplary punishment on them – probably the calamitous times of the Babylonian captivity.
The Lord will take away – By the agents that he shall choose to employ in this work. – The prophet proceeds to specify the various ornaments that composed the female apparel in his time. It is not easy to describe them particularly, nor is it necessary. The general meaning of the passage is plain: and it is clear from this, that they greatly abounded in ornaments.
The bravery – This word we apply to valor or courage. The word here used, however, meaus ornament, adorning, or glory.
Of their tinkling ornaments – This is the same word which is used in Isa 3:16, and refers to the chains or clasps with which they ornamented their feet and ankles, and which made a tinkling noise as they walked.
And their cauls – Margin, net-works. The Septuagint is the same. It is commonly supposed to mean caps of net-work worn on the head. According to others, the word refers to small suns or spangles worn on the hair, answering to the following word moons. The caul is a strap, or girdle, about four inches long, which is placed on the top of the head, and which extends to the brow, in a line with the nose. The one I have examined is made of gold, and has many joints; it contains forty-five rubies, and nine pearls, which give it a net-work appearance. – Roberts.
Their round tires like the moon – Hebrew moons. This refers to small ornaments in the shape of crescents, or half-moons, commonly worn on the neck. They were also sometimes worn by men, and even by camels; Jdg 8:21 (margin), Jdg 8:26. It is probable that these ornaments might originally have had some reference to the moon as an object of worship, but it does not appear that they were so worn by the females of Judea – They are still worn by the females of Arabia. – Rosenmuller. Roberts says of such ornaments in India, The crescent is worn by Parvati and Siva, from whom proceed the lingam, and the principal impurities of the system. No dancing girl is in full dress without her round tires like the moon. This ornament is still found under the name of chumarah. The chumarah, which signifies moon, is a splendid ornament worn by the women of western Asia in front of their head-dresses. It is usually made of gold, set with precious stones and pearls. They are sometimes made of the crescent form, but the most common are such as the engraving represents. They often have Arabic characters inscribed upon them, and sometimes a sentence from the Koran is used by the Mahometan women of Arabia Felix.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 18. Ornaments about their feet – “The ornaments of the feet rings”] The late learned Dr. Hunt, professor of Hebrew and Arabic in the University of Oxford, has very well explained the word both verb and noun, in his very ingenious Dissertation on Pr 7:22-23. The verb means to skip, to bound, to dance along; and the noun, those ornaments of the feet which the Eastern ladies wore; chains or rings, which made a tinkling sound as they moved nimbly in walking. Eugene Roger, Description de la Terre Sainte, Liv. ii. ch. 2, speaking of the Arabian women, of the first rank in Palestine, says, – “Au lieu de brasselets elles ont de menottes d’argent, qu’elles portent aux poignets et aux pieds; ou sont attachez quantite de petits annelets d’argent, qui font un cliquetis comme d’une cymbale, lorsqu’elles cheminent ou se mouvent quelque peu.” See Dr. Hunt’s Dissertation; where he produces other testimonies to the same purpose from authors of travels. Hindoo women of ill fame wear loose ornaments one above another on their ankles, which at every motion make a tinkling noise. See WARD.
And their cauls – “the net-works”] I am obliged to differ from the learned Schroederus almost at first setting out. He renders the word shebisim by soliculi, little ornaments, bullae, or studs, in shape representing the sun, and so answering to the following word saharonim, lunulae, crescents. He supposes the word to be the same with shemishim, the yod in the second syllable making the word diminutive, and the letter mem being changed for beth, a letter of the same organ. How just and well founded his authorities for the transmutation of these letters in the Arabic language are, I cannot pretend to judge; but as I know of no such instance in Hebrew, it seems to me a very forced etymology. Being dissatisfied with this account of the matter, I applied to my good friend above mentioned, the late Dr. Hunt, who very kindly returned the following answer to my inquiries: –
“I have consulted the Arabic Lexicons, as well MS. as printed, but cannot find shebisim in any of them, nor any thing belonging to it; so that no help is to be had from that language towards clearing up the meaning of this difficult word. But what the Arabic denies, the Syriac perhaps may afford; in which I find the verb shabas, to entangle or interweave, an etymology which is equally favourable to our marginal translation, net-works, with shabats, to make chequer work, or embroider, (the word by which Kimchi and others have explained shabis😉 and has moreover this advantage over it, that the letters sin and samech are very frequently put for each other, but tsaddi and samech scarcely ever. Aben Ezra joins shebisim and achasim, which immediately precedes it, together; and says that shabis was the ornament of the legs, as eches was of the feet. His words are, – L.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Cauls: as for this and the other Hebrew words here following, I judge it unnecessary and improper to trouble the English reader with the differing interpretations given of them by learned men, which the curious may find in my Latin Synopsis. It is agreed by all that they were ornaments used by that people in those times, and made fuel to their lusts. And it is of no concernment to the direction, either of our faith or manners, exactly to understand the nature and differences of them. And therefore I shall take them as they are in our translation.
Round tires like the moon; there were in ancient time, and at this day there are, some jewels or other ornaments worn which carry a manifest resemblance to the moon or half moon. Compare Jdg 8:21,26.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18. braverythe finery.
tinkling(See Isa3:16).
caulsnetwork for thehead. Or else, from an Arabic root, “little suns,”answering to the “tires” or neck-ornaments, “like themoon” (Jud 8:21). Thechumarah or crescent is also worn in front of the headdress inWest Asia.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of [their] tinkling ornaments [about their feet],…. With which they made a tinkling as they went, Isa 3:16 it being about the shoe, and made a noise; or seeing the word used signifies “stocks”, and is so rendered Pr 7:22, it may design some sort of attire about the feet, as golden chains, as the Talmudists say t, which being fastened to both, directed their motion in walking, and prevented them taking too large steps: or rather these may intend some ornaments of the feet, used by the eastern nations; which, according to Golius, as related by De Dieu on the place, were plates of gold, one or two fingers broad, and sometimes four, which were put about the ankles of infants of rich families; not to make a tinkling, nor to direct their walk, but for ornament, and to distinguish them from the meaner sort. The Targum renders it, “the ornament of the shoes”; these were put about the place where the shoes were tied; and in the Talmud u the word is explained by , “shoes”; which the gloss interprets of wooden shoes: the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions, are, “the ornament of their clothing”; as if this was the general name for the particulars that follow:
and [their] cauls: the attire of the head, of network: the word is used in the Misnah v for the ornament of cauls; which was, as one of their commentators w says, a picture made upon the caul for ornament; it was placed upon the forehead, and reached from ear to ear; and it was made by itself, so that it might be removed, and put upon another caul. Under these cauls they plaited their hair; hence the Septuagint render the word “the plaiting and the curls”; and to the same purpose the Syriac and Arabic versions.
And [their] round tires like the moon; these were not tires for the head, as our version suggests; much less were they clasps, buckles, or strings for the shoes, in the form of a half moon; such as were the “lunuloe” which the Roman senators had on their feet, to distinguish them from the common people; and were used by Evander and the Arcadians, to show that they sprung from the moon; which custom the noblemen of Rome followed; and some say x they put them under their feet, see Re 12:1 but these were ornaments wore about the necks, such as those which were found upon the necks of the kings of Midian, and even upon the necks of their camels, Jud 8:21 where the same word is used as here; they were no other than bracelets, necklaces, or golden chains, in the form of the moon; and the word is in the Talmud y rendered , “chains”. See also footnote z.
t T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 63. 2. Maimon. in Misn. Sabbat, c. 6. sect. 4. u T. Hieros. Sabbat, fol. 8. 2. v Misn. Sabbat, c. 28. sect. 10. & Negaim, c. 11. sect. 11. w Bartenora in Misn. Sabbat, ib. x Vid. Scacch, Sacrer. Eleaochr. Myrothec. 1. c. 49. col. 248. y T. Hieros. Sabbat, fol. 8. 2. z Vid. Bynaeus de Calceis Heb. l. 1. c. 9.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The prophet then proceeds to describe still further how the Lord would take away the whole of their toilet as plunder. “On that day the Lord will put away the show of the ankle-clasps, and of the head-bands, and of the crescents; the ear-rings, and the arm-chains, and the light veils; the diadems, and the stepping-chains, and the girdles, and the smelling-bottles, and the amulets; the finger-rings, and the nose-rings; the gala-dresses, and the sleeve-frocks, and the wrappers, and the pockets; the hand-mirrors, and the Sindu-cloths, and the turbans, and the gauze mantles.” The fullest explanation of all these articles of female attire is to be found in N. W. Schrder’s work, entitled Commentarius de vestitu mulierum Hebraearum ad Jes. Isa 3:16-24, Ludg. Bat av 1745 (a quarto volume), and in that of Ant. Theod. Hartmann, consisting of three oc tavo volumes, and entitled Die Hebrerin am Putztische und als Braut (The Jewess at the Toilet-table, and as Bride, 1809-10); to which we may also add, Saalschtz, Archaeologie, chapter iii., where he treats of the dresses of men and women. It was not usually Isaiah’s custom to enter into such minute particulars. Of all the prophets, Ezekiel was the one most addicted to this, as we may see, for example, from Ezek 16. And even in other prophecies against the women we find nothing of the kind again (Isa 32:9.; Amo 4:1.). But in this instance, the enumeration of the female ornaments is connected with that of the state props in Isa 3:1-3, and that of the lofty and exalted in Isa 2:13-16, so as to form a trilogy, and has its own special explanation in that boundless love of ornament which had become prevalent in the time of Uzziah-Jotham. It was the prophet’s intention to produce a ludicrous, but yet serious impression, as to the immeasurable luxury which really existed; and in the prophetic address, his design throughout is to bring out the glaring contrast between the titanic, massive, worldly glory, in all its varied forms, and that true, spiritual, and majestically simple glory, whose reality is manifested from within outwards. In fact, the theme of the whole address is the way of universal judgment leading on from the false glory to the true. The general idea of tiphereth (show: rendered “bravery” in Eng. ver.) which stands at the head and includes the whole, points to the contrast presented by a totally different tiphereth which follows in Isa 4:2. In explaining each particular word, we must be content with what is most necessary, and comparatively the most certain. “Ankle-clasps” ( acasim ): these were rings of gold, silver, or ivory, worn round the ankles; hence the denom. verb ( icces ) in Isa 3:16, to make a tinkling sound with these rings. “Head-bands,” or “frontlets” ( shebisim , from shabas = shabatz : plectere ), were plaited bands of gold or silver thread worn below the hair-net, and reaching from one ear to the other. There is some force, however, in the explanation which has been very commonly adopted since the time of Schrder, namely, that they were sun-like balls (= shemisim ), which were worn as ornaments round the neck, from the Arabic sumeisa ( subeisa ), a little sun. The “crescents” ( saharonim ) were little pendants of this kind, fastened round the neck and hanging down upon the breast (in Jdg 8:21 we meet with them as ornaments hung round the camels’ necks). Such ornaments are still worn by Arabian girls, who generally have several different kinds of them; the hilal , or new moon, being a symbol of increasing good fortune, and as such the most approved charm against the evil eye. “Ear-rings” ( netiphoth , ear-drops): we meet with these in Jdg 8:26, as an ornament worn by Midianitish kings. Hence the Arabic munattafe , a woman adorned with ear-rings. “Arm-chains:” sheroth , from shara , to twist. According to the Targum, these were chains worn upon the arm, or spangles upon the wrist, answering to the spangles upon the ankles. “Fluttering veils” ( re’aloth , from ra’al , to hang loose): these were more expensive than the ordinary veils worn by girls, which were called tza’iph .
“Diadems” ( pe’erim ) are only mentioned in other parts of the Scriptures as being worn by men (e.g., by priests, bride-grooms, or persons of high rank). “Stepping-chains:” tze’adoth , from tze’adah , a step; hence the chain worn to shorten and give elegance to the step. “Girdles:” kisshurim , from kashar ( Cingere ), dress girdles, such as were worn by brides upon their wedding-day (compare Jer 2:32 with Isa 49:18); the word is erroneously rendered hair-pins ( kalmasmezayyah ) in the Targum. “Smelling-bottles:” botte hannephesh , holders of scent ( nephesh , the breath of an aroma). “Amulets:” lechashim (from lachash , to work by incantations), gems or metal plates with an inscription upon them, which were worn as a protection as well as an ornament. “Finger-rings:” tabba’oth , from taba , to impress or seal, signet-rings worn upon the finger, corresponding to the C hotham worn by men upon the breast suspended by a cord. “Nose-rings” ( nizme haaph ) were fastened in the central division of the nose, and hung down over the mouth: they have been ornaments in common use in the East from the time of the patriarchs (Gen 24:22) down to the present day. “Gala-dresses” ( m achalatsoth ) are dresses not usually worn, but taken off when at home. “Sleeve-frocks” ( m a’ataphah ): the second tunic, worn above the ordinary one, the Roman stola . “Wrappers” ( m itpachoth , from taphach , expandere ), broad cloths wrapped round the body, such as Ruth wore when she crept in to Boaz in her best attire (Rth 3:15). “Pockets” ( Charitim ) were for holding money (2Ki 5:23), which was generally carried by men in the girdle, or in a purse ( Cis ). “Hand-mirrors” ( gilyonim ): the Septuagint renders this , sc. , Lacedaemonian gauze or transparent dresses, which showed the nakedness rather than concealed it (from galah , retegere ); but the better rendering is mirrors with handles, polished metal plates (from galah , polire ), as gillayon is used elsewhere to signify a smooth table. “Sindu-cloths” ( sedinim ), veils or coverings of the finest linen, viz., of Sindu or Hindu cloth ( ) – Sindu, the land of Indus, being the earlier name of India.
(Note: The Mishna ( Kelim xxiv 13) mentions three different sedinin : night dresses, curtains, and embroidery. The sindon is frequently referred to as a covering wrapped round the person; and in b. Menachoth 41 a, it is stated that the sindom is the summer dress, the sarbal (cloak) the winter dress, which may help to explain Mar 14:51-52.)
“Turbans” ( tseniphoth , from tsanaph , Convolvere ), the head-dress composed of twisted cloths of different colours. “Gauze mantles” ( redidim , from radad , extendere , tenuem facere ), delicate veil-like mantles thrown over the rest of the clothes. Stockings and handkerchiefs are not mentioned: the former were first introduced into Hither Asia from Media long after Isaiah’s time, and a Jerusalem lady no more thought of suing the latter than a Grecian or Roman lady did. Even the veil ( burko ) now commonly worn, which conceals the whole of the face with the exception of the eyes, did not form part of the attire of an Israelitish woman in the olden time.
(Note: Rashi, however, makes a different statement ( Sabbath 65 a), viz., that “Israelitish women in Arabia go out with veils which conceal the face, and those in Media with their mantles fastened about the mouth.”)
The prophet enumerates twenty-one different ornaments: three sevens of a very bad kind, especially for the husbands of these state-dolls. There is no particular order observed in the enumeration, either from head to foot, or from the inner to the outer clothing; but they are arranged as much ad libitum as the dress itself.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(18) Tinkling ornaments.These were anklets, i.e., rings of metal, with or without bells, which produced the tinkling of Isa. 3:16. The cauls were probably wreaths, or plaits of gold or silver net-work, worn over the forehead from ear to ear, but have been taken by some scholars as sun-like balls worn like a necklace.
Round tires like the moon.The crescent ornaments which were hung on the necks of the camels of the Midianites in the time of Gideon (Jdg. 8:21), and are still worn by Arabian women. It is not improbable that they were connected with the worship of Ashtaroth. Among modern Arabian women they are regarded as a charm against the evil eye. (See Note on Jer. 44:17-19.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18, 19. In that day The day of their coming punishment.
Bravery In Isa 4:2 this word means comely. It is applied to different things: in Isa 60:7, to the temple; in Isa 64:11, to Jerusalem. May it not here mean finery? (There is difficulty in determining the meaning of terms in these verses, because many of them are used only here in the Bible. According to best means at hand, scholars have made them out, generally, as here given.)
Cauls A network covering for the top of the head, usually made of silk. According to Furst, they are little suns or spangles.
Round tires Literally, moons, in crescent form; used, perhaps, to deck the network veils.
Chains More properly eardrops; resembling amber drops.
Bracelets For the wrists, or collars for the neck.
Mufflers Veils, light and tremulous; “a veil for the face used by higher-class ladies.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Isa 3:18-24. In that day the Lord will take away, &c. In that day will the Lord take from them the ornaments, of the feet-rings, and the net-works, and the crescents; the pendents, and the bracelets, and the thin veils; the tires, and the setters, and the zones, and the perfume-boxes, and the amulets; the rings, and the jewels of the nostril; the embroidered robes, and the tunics; and the cloaks, and the little purses; the transparent garments, and the fine linen vests; and the turbans, and the mantles: and there shall be, instead of perfume, a putrid ulcer; and, instead of well-girt raiment, rags; and, instead of a zone, a girdle of sackcloth: a sun-burnt skin, instead of beauty. Lowth. Instead of a rent, Isa 3:24, the LXX read a rope. All this intimates, that they should be reduced, from the most exalted and opulent, to the most abject and servile state. They who would see the particulars in these verses fully explained, will find ample satisfaction in Vitringa.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Isa 3:18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of [their] tinkling ornaments [about their feet], and [their] cauls, and [their] round tires like the moon,
Ver. 18. The Lord will take away the bravery. ] All the following bravery; for the prophet as punctually and particularly threateneth all down, as if he had lately seen the ladies’ wardrobes in Jerusalem. And if this vanity of gallantry be so blameworthy in a woman, who is naturally , addicted to fine attire, how much more in a man, who shall turn lands into laces, and embroider his cloak with woods and parks and lordships, lining it, haply, with obligations and bonds and statutes?
Of their tinkling ornaments, &c.
And the round tires like the moon. bravery = finery.
ornaments = metal crescent-shaped discs.
cauls = caps. Old French “cale”.
their round tires like the moon = round crescent-shaped headbands.
tinkling ornaments: Isa 3:16
cauls: or, networks, Shevisim probably the rich embroidered kerchiefs used to bind on their caps on the head, described by Lady M. W. Montague, Let. 32.
round tires: Jdg 8:21, *marg.
Reciprocal: 2Ki 9:30 – tired Est 2:3 – their things Son 1:10 – thy cheeks Eze 23:40 – and deckedst Hos 2:9 – take Zep 1:8 – strange 1Ti 2:9 – not 1Pe 3:3 – that
Isa 3:18. In that day the Lord, &c. Punishment, which, though slow, always follows vice, is here denounced upon the luxurious and proud women: first, taking away, not only the ornaments, wherewith they set off their beauty, but also their garments, which were of necessary use, to Isa 3:24; secondly, deprivation of their husbands and children, Isa 3:25-26; thirdly, the consequence hereof, by which this loss might be repaired, Isa 4:1 see Vitringa. Will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments, &c. It is justly observed by a learned commentator here, that the words which describe the womens ornaments in this and the following verses are of very doubtful signification; the modes of every age and country varying so often, that the succeeding fashion makes the former to be quickly forgotten, and the words that express it to become obscure, or even unintelligible. Probably a hundred years hence the names of some of the ornaments that are now in use in our own land will be as little understood as some of those here named. It is judged unnecessary and improper, therefore, to trouble the reader here with the different interpretations which learned men have given of them. It is agreed by all, that they were ornaments used by the women in Judea at that time, and that they were made the means of increasing their pride and other vices, and therefore were displeasing to God. And it is of no concern exactly to understand the differences of them. Instead therefore of spending time on this barren subject, we shall content ourselves with laying before the reader Bishop Lowths translation of the Hebrew terms used to express them, with some occasional observations which he has made on some of the articles. In that day will the Lord take away from them the ornaments of the feet-rings, and the net-works, and the crescents, Isa 3:18. The pendents, and the bracelets, and the thin veils, Isa 3:19. The tires, and the fetters, and the zones, and the perfume-boxes, and the amulets, Isa 3:20. The rings, and the jewels of the nostril, Isa 3:21. Many commentators explain this of jewels, or strings of pearl, hanging from the forehead, and reaching to the upper part of the nose. But it appears from many passages of Holy Scripture, that the phrase is to be literally and properly understood of nose-jewels, rings set with jewels, hanging from the nostrils, as ear-rings from the ears, by holes bored to receive them. Ezekiel, enumerating the common ornaments of women of the first rank, has not omitted this particular, and is to be understood in the same manner, Eze 16:11-12; see also Gen 24:47, and Pro 11:22.
The Lord proceeded to condemn 21 (seven times three, a full measure) other personal decorations that evidenced pride, many of which were popular in Isaiah’s day and some of which are still popular now. Many of these items originated in cult and in magic rituals. [Note: Watts, p. 46.] Again, these things are not wrong in themselves, but they may assume too much importance in a person’s life.
"It was the prophet’s intention to produce a ludicrous, but yet serious impression, as to the immeasurable luxury which really existed; and in the prophetic address, his design throughout is to bring out the glaring contrast between the titanic, massive, worldly glory, in all its varied forms, and that true, spiritual, and majestically simple glory, whose reality is manifested from within outwards. In fact, the theme of the whole address is the way of universal judgment leading on from the false glory to the true." [Note: Delitzsch, 1:145.]
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)