Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 3:19
The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
19. The ear-drops (Jdg 8:26, R.V. “collars”) and the arm-chains and the veils the last (the Arabian ra‘l) is in two parts, one thrown back over the head from above the eyes, the other hanging down over the face.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The chains – Margin, sweet balls. The word used here is derived from the verb nataph, to drop, to fall in drops, or to distil, as juice from a plant. Hence, it means that which resembles drops – as pearls, or precious stones, used as ornaments for the neck or ears. We retain a similar word as applicable to the ornaments of the ears, by calling them drops. The Chaldee renders this chains, and so also the Vulgate. The Septuagint understands it of a hanging or pendant ornament – and this is its undoubted meaning – an ornament pendant like gum distilling from a plant. These consist, first, of one most beautifully worked, with a pendant ornament for the neck; there is also a profusion of others which go round the same part, and rest on the bosom. In making curious chains, the goldsmiths of England do not surpass those of the East. – Roberts.
And the bracelets – For the wrists. The Chaldee translates it, bracelets for the hands. These ornaments were very ancient; see Gen 24:22; Num 31:50. – Mahomet promises to those who shall follow him, gold and silver bracelets. The bracelets are large ornaments for the wrists, in which are sometimes enclosed small bells. – Roberts.
Mufflers – Margin, spangled ornaments. The word used here is derived from a verb, to tremble, to shake – raal – and the name is given to the ornament, whatever it was, probably from its tremulous motion. Perhaps it means a light, thin veil; or possibly, as in the margin, spangled ornaments, producing a tremulous, changing aspect. In Zec 7:2, the word is used to denote trembling – giddiness, or intoxication. It was early customary, and is still common in Oriental countries, for the females to wear veils. No female ventures abroad without her veil. That which is supposed to be intended here, is described by the Arabian scholiast Safieri, quoted by Gesenius. It is drawn tight over the upper part of the head, but the part around the eyes is open, and a space left to see through, and the lower part is left loose and flowing, and thus produces the tremulous appearance indicated in this place; see the notes and illustrations at Isa 3:24.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
19. chainsrather, pendants,hanging about the neck, and dropping on the breast.
mufflersveils coveringthe face, with apertures for the eyes, close above and looselyflowing below. The word radically means “tremulous,”referring to the changing effect of the spangles on the veil.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
The chains,…. According to Kimchi and R. Levi ben Gersom on Jud 8:26 these were drop bottles, or vessels of gold, in which were put stacte or balsam; and the former says here, they were such in which balsam was put, and women hung about their necks; though, he observes, some interpret them of chains, which were made of small stones of bdellium; hence pure bdellium is called in the Arabic tongue
; and so Jarchi renders the word “chains”; and they are called by this name, because they hang about the neck, and drop upon the breast, and are in the form of precious stones, bored and strung:
and the bracelets; hand bracelets, according to the Targum; such as Abraham’s servant gave to Rebekah, Ge 24:22:
and the mufflers; these were veils which covered the whole face, excepting the eyes, the same that we call masks: it is said a of the Arabian women, that they went out ; that is, as Bartenora explains it, they were veiled about the head, so that the whole face was covered, excepting their eyes; though Maimonides interprets them of little bells, which the Arabian women went out with; the Targum here explains the word by “women’s veils”; though some think only the “spangles” which were on them are meant, so called from their trembling and shaking motion.
a Misn. Sabbat, c. 6. sect. 6.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(19) The chains.Better, as in Jdg. 8:26, where they are also ornaments of Midianite kings, earrings. These and the bracelets were probably of gold. The mufflers were the long flowing veil, or mantilla, worn so as to cover the head, as now in Spain, or Egypt, or Turkey.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Isa 3:19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
Ver. 19. And the chains and the bracelets, &c. ] The particulars of all their bravery we can say little unto upon certainty, since we are at this day ignorant of what ornaments and habiliments were then in use; and besides, the names here given unto them are such as the Jews themselves can hardly tell what to make of. It is a sad thing that the gauds and gaities of this age and country are such and so many, as that not six or seven verses, but so many whole chapters might be easily taken up in inventorying them. Lysander, a heathen, will rise up in judgment against many among us; for he would not allow his daughters to wear gorgeous attire, saying it would not make them so comely as common. That is very remarkable that is reported a of Mr Foxe the martyrologue, that when a son of his, returning from his travels into foreign parts, came to him in Oxford, attired in a loose, outlandish fashion, Who are you? said his old father, not knowing him. He replied, I am your son. Oh, what enemy of thine, said he, hath taught thee so much vanity? The Hebrew word, beghed, for a garment, comes from baghad, which signifies to deal perfidiously or treacherously, Isa 21:3 perhaps because it is tegumentum et testimonium, not more a covering of man’s shame than a testimony of his first sin in falling from God. So that a man or woman hath no more cause to brag about his fine clothes, or to be proud of them, than a thief of a silk rope, or than one hath of a plaster laid to his filthy Sore.
a Hist. of Mod. Div., by Lupton.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
chains = pendants.
mufflers = light face-veils.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
chains: or, sweet-balls, Neteephoth earrings or drops; in Arabic, netafat
the bracelets: Gen 24:22, Gen 24:30, Gen 24:53, Gen 38:18, Gen 38:25, Exo 35:22, Num 31:50, Eze 16:11
mufflers: or, spangled ornaments
Reciprocal: Psa 73:6 – as a chain Pro 1:9 – an ornament