1Denn siehe, der HerrH113, JehovaH3068 der HeerscharenH6635, nimmt von JerusalemH3389 undH3605 von JudaH3063 Stütze und Unterstützung hinweg, jede Stütze des BrotesH3899 und jede Stütze des WassersH4325; 2HeldH1368 undH376 KriegsmannH4421, RichterH8199 und ProphetH5030 und WahrsagerH7080 und ÄltestenH2205; 3den OberstenH8269 über fünfzigH2572 undH5375 den Angesehenen undH6440 den RatH3289, und den geschickten Künstler und den Zauberkundigen. 4Und ich werde JünglingeH5288 zu ihren FürstenH8269 machenH5414, und Buben sollen über sie herrschenH4910. 5Und das VolkH5971 wird sich gegenseitig bedrücken, der eine den anderen, und einH376 jeder seinen NächstenH7453; der KnabeH5288 wird frech auftreten gegenH376 den Greis, und der Verachtete gegenH376 den GeehrtenH3513. 6Wenn jemandH376 seinen BruderH251 in seines VatersH1 HauseH1004 ergreift und sagt: Du hast ein KleidH8071, unser Vorsteher sollst du sein; und dieser EinsturzH4384 sei unter deiner HandH3027! 7so wird erH559 an jenem TageH3117 seine Stimme erhebenH5375 und sagen: Ich kann kein Wundarzt sein; istH7760 doch in meinem HauseH1004 weder BrotH3899 noch KleidH8071 : machet mich nicht zum Vorsteher des VolkesH5971. - 8Denn JerusalemH3389 istH5307 gestürzt und JudaH3063 gefallenH3782, weil ihre ZungeH3956 und ihre TatenH4611 wider JehovaH3068 sind, um zu trotzen den AugenH5869 seiner HerrlichkeitH3519. 9Der Ausdruck ihres Angesichts zeugt wider sieH5046; undH6030 vonH6440 ihrer SündeH2403 sprechen sie offen wie SodomH5467, sie verhehlenH3582 sie nicht. WeheH188 ihrer SeeleH5315! Denn sich selbstH1580 bereiten sie BösesH7451. 10SagetH559 vom GerechtenH6662, daß es ihm wohlgehen wirdH2896; denn die FruchtH6529 ihrer Handlungen werden sie genießen. 11WeheH188 dem Gesetzlosen! Es wird ihm übelgehen; denn das TunH6213 seiner HändeH3027 wird ihm angetan werden. 12Mein VolkH5971 -seine Bedrücker sind Buben, und WeiberH802 herrschenH4910 über dasselbe. Mein VolkH5971, deine LeiterH833 führen irreH8582, und den WegH1870 deiner PfadeH734 haben sie dir entrückt. 13JehovaH3068 steht da, um zu rechtenH7378; und er trittH5324 aufH5975, um die VölkerH5971 zu richtenH1777. 14JehovaH3068 wirdH1197 ins GerichtH4941 gehenH935 mit den ÄltestenH2205 seines VolkesH5971 und dessen FürstenH8269 : Und ihr, ihr habt den WeinbergH3754 abgeweidet, der RaubH1500 des ElendenH6041 ist in euren HäusernH1004; 15was habt ihr, daß ihr mein VolkH5971 zertretetH1792 undH2912 das AngesichtH6440 der ElendenH6041 zermalmet? sprichtH5002 der HerrH136, Jehova der HeerscharenH6635. 16UndH3212 JehovaH3068 sprachH559 : WeilH3282 die TöchterH1323 ZionsH6726 hoffärtig sindH1361, undH1980 einhergehen mit gerecktem HalseH1627 undH3212 blinzelnden AugenH5869, und trippelnd einhergehen und mit ihren Fußspangen klirren: 17so wirdH6168 der HerrH136 den ScheitelH6936 der TöchterH1323 ZionsH6726 kahl machenH5596, und JehovaH3068 ihre Scham entblößen. 18An jenem TageH3117 wird der HerrH136 wegnehmen den SchmuckH5493 der Fußspangen und der Stirnbänder und der Halbmonde; 19die Ohrgehänge und die Armketten und die Schleier; 20die Kopfbunde und die Schrittkettchen und die Gürtel und die Riechfläschchen und die Amulette; 21die Fingerringe und die Nasenringe; 22die Prachtkleider und die Oberröcke und die Umhänge und die BeutelH2754; 23die Handspiegel und die HemdenH5466 und die Turbane und die ÜberwürfeH7289. 24UndH1314 es wird geschehen, statt des Wohlgeruchs wird Moder sein, und statt des Gürtels ein StrickH5364, und statt des Lockenwerks eine GlatzeH7144, und statt des Prunkgewandes ein Kittel vonH4639 Sacktuch, Brandmal statt Schönheit. 25Deine MännerH4962 werden durchs SchwertH2719 fallenH5307, und deine Helden im KriegeH4421. 26Und ihre ToreH6607 werden klagenH56 und trauernH578, und ausgeleert wird sie seinH5352, sichH3427 zur ErdeH776 niedersetzen.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 (Isa. 3:1-26)
For--continuation of
Isa 2:22.
Lord of hosts--therefore able to do as He says.
doth--present for future, so certain is the accomplishment.
stay . . . staff--the same Hebrew word, the one masculine, the other feminine, an Arabic idiom for all kinds of support. What a change from the previous luxuries (
Isa 2:7)! Fulfilled in the siege by Nebuchadnezzar and afterwards by Titus (
Jer 37:21;
Jer 38:9).
2 Fulfilled (
2Kgs 24:14).
prudent--the Hebrew often means a "soothsayer" (
Deut 18:10-
Deut 18:14); thus it will mean, the diviners, on whom they rely, shall in that day fail. It is found in a good sense (
Pro 16:10), from which passage the Jews interpret it a king; "without" whom Israel long has been (
Hos 3:4).
ancient--old and experienced (
1Kgs 12:6-8).
3 captain of fifty--not only captains of thousands, and centurions of a hundred, but even semi-centurions of fifty, shall fail.
honourable--literally, "of dignified aspect."
cunning--skilful. The mechanic's business will come to a standstill in the siege and subsequent desolation of the state; artisans are no mean "stay" among a nation's safeguards.
eloquent orator--rather, as Vulgate, "skilled in whispering," that is, incantation (
Ps 58:5). See
Isa 8:19, below; and on "prudent," see on
Isa 3:2.
4 children--in ability for governing; antithesis to the "ancient" (see
Isa 3:12;
Eccl 10:16).
babes--in warlike might; antithesis to "the mighty" and "man of war."
5 The anarchy resulting under such imbecile rulers (
Isa 3:4); unjust exactions mutually; the forms of respect violated (
Lev 19:32).
base--low-born. Compare the marks of "the last days" (
2Tim 3:2).
6 Such will be the want of men of wealth and ability, that they will "take hold of" (
Isa 4:1) the first man whom they meet, having any property, to make him "ruler."
brother--one having no better hereditary claim to be ruler than the "man" supplicating him.
Thou hast clothing--which none of us has. Changes of raiment are wealth in the East (
2Kgs 5:5).
ruin--Let our ruined affairs be committed to thee to retrieve.
7 swear--literally, "lift up," namely, his hand; the gesture used in solemn attestation. Or, his voice, that is, answer; so Vulgate.
healer--of the body politic, incurably diseased (
Isa 1:6).
neither . . . clothing--so as to relieve the people and maintain a ruler's dignity. A nation's state must be bad indeed, when none among men, naturally ambitious, is willing to accept office.
8 Reason given by the prophet, why all shrink from the government.
eyes of his glory--to provoke His "glorious" Majesty before His "eyes" (compare
Isa 49:5;
Hab 1:13). The Syriac and LOWTH, by a slight change of the Hebrew, translate, "the cloud of His glory," the Shekinah.
9 show--The Hebrew means, "that which may be known by their countenances" [GESENIUS and WEISS]. But MAURER translates, "Their respect for person"; so Syriac and Chaldee. But the parallel word "declare" favors the other view. KIMCHI, from the Arabic, translates "their hardness" (
Job 19:3, Margin), or impudence of countenance (
Jer 3:3). They have lost not only the substance of virtue, but its color.
witness--literally, "corresponds" to them; their look answers to their inner character (
Hos 5:5).
declare-- (
Jude 1:13). "Foaming out their own shame"; so far from making it a secret, "glorying" in it (
Phil 3:19).
unto themselves--Compare "in themselves" (
Pro 1:31;
Pro 8:36;
Jer 2:19;
Rom 1:27).
10 The faithlessness of many is no proof that all are faithless. Though nothing but croaking of frogs is heard on the surface of the pool, we are not to infer there are no fish beneath [BENGEL]. (See
Isa 1:19-
Isa 1:20).
fruit of doings-- (
Pro 1:31) in a good sense (
Gal 6:8;
Rev 22:14). Not salvation by works, but by fruit-bearing faith (
Isa 45:24;
Jer 23:6). GESENIUS and WEISS translate, Declare as to the righteous that, &c. MAURER, "Say that the righteous is blessed."
11 ill--antithesis to "well" (
Isa 3:10); emphatic ellipsis of the words italicized. "Ill!"
hands--his conduct; "hands" being the instrument of acts (
Eccl 8:12-
Eccl 8:13).
12 (See
Isa 3:4).
oppressors--literally, "exactors," that is, exacting princes (
Isa 60:17). They who ought to be protectors are exactors; as unqualified for rule as "children," as effeminate as "women." Perhaps it is also implied that they were under the influence of their harem, the women of their court.
lead--Hebrew, "call thee blessed"; namely, the false prophets, who flatter the people with promises of safety in sin; as the political "rulers" are meant in the first clause.
way of thy paths-- (
Jer 6:16). The right way set forth in the law. "Destroy"--Hebrew, "Swallow up," that is, cause so utterly to disappear that not a vestige of it is left.
13 standeth up--no longer sitting in silence.
plead--indignant against a wicked people (
Isa 66:16;
Ezek 20:35).
14 ancients--Hence they are spoken of as "taken away" (
Isa 3:1-
Isa 3:2).
vineyard--the Jewish theocracy (
Isa 5:1-
Isa 5:7;
Ps 80:9-
Ps 80:13).
eaten up--"burnt"; namely, by "oppressive exactions" (
Isa 3:12). Type of the crowning guilt of the husbandmen in the days of Jesus Christ (
Matt 21:34-
Matt 21:41).
spoil . . . houses-- (
Matt 23:14).
15 What right have ye to beat, &c. (
Ps 94:5;
Mic 3:2-
Mic 3:3).
grind--by exactions, so as to leave them nothing.
faces--persons; with the additional idea of it being openly and palpably done. "Presence," equivalent to "face" (Hebrew).
16 Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, &c.--Luxury had become great in Uzziah's prosperous reign (
2Chr 26:5).
stretched forth--proudly elevated (
Ps 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).
17 smite with a scab--literally, "make bald," namely, by disease.
discover--cause them to suffer the greatest indignity that can befall female captives, namely to be stripped naked, and have their persons exposed (
Isa 47:3; compare with
Isa 20:4).
18 bravery--the finery.
tinkling--(See
Isa 3:16).
cauls--network for the head. Or else, from an Arabic root, "little suns," answering to the "tires" or neck-ornaments, "like the moon" (
Judg 8:21). The chumarah or crescent is also worn in front of the headdress in West Asia.
19 chains--rather, pendants, hanging about the neck, and dropping on the breast.
mufflers--veils covering the face, with apertures for the eyes, close above and loosely flowing below. The word radically means "tremulous," referring to the changing effect of the spangles on the veil.
20 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 formulć inscribed; the root means to "whisper" or "conjure."
21 nose jewels--The cartilage between the nostrils was bored to receive them; they usually hung from the left nostril.
22 Here begin entire articles of apparel. Those before were single ornaments.
changeable--from a root, "to put off"; not worn commonly; put on and off on special occasions. So, dress-clothes (
Zech 3:4).
mantles--fuller tunics with sleeves, worn over the common one, reaching down to the feet.
wimples--that is, mufflers, or hoods. In
Ruth 3:15, "veils"; perhaps here, a broad cloak, or shawl, thrown over the head and body.
crisping pins--rather, money bags (
2Kgs 5:23).
23 glasses--mirrors of polished metal (
Exod 38:8). But the Septuagint, a transparent, gauze-like, garment.
hoods--miters, or diadems (
Isa 62:3;
Zech 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 (
1Cor 11:10).
24 stink--arising from ulcers (
Zech 14:12).
girdle--to gird up the loose Eastern garments, when the person walked.
rent--the Septuagint, better, a "rope," an emblem of poverty; the poor have nothing else to gird up their clothes with.
well-set hair-- (
1Pet 3:3-4).
baldness-- (
Isa 3:17).
stomacher--a broad plaited girdle.
sackcloth-- (
2Sam 3:31).
burning--a sunburnt countenance, owing to their hoods and veils being stripped off, while they had to work as captives under a scorching sun (
Song 1:6).
25 Thy men--of Jerusalem.
26 gates--The place of concourse personified is represented mourning for the loss of those multitudes which once frequented it.
desolate . . . sit upon . . . ground--the very figure under which Judea was represented on medals after the destruction by Titus: a female sitting under a palm tree in a posture of grief; the motto, Judća capta (
Job 2:13;
Lam 2:10, where, as here primarily, the destruction by Nebuchadnezzar is alluded to).
that day--the calamitous period described in previous chapter.
seven--indefinite number among the Jews. So many men would be slain, that there would be very many more women than men; for example, seven women, contrary to their natural bashfulness, would sue to (equivalent to "take hold of,"
Isa 3:6) one man to marry them.
eat . . . own bread--foregoing the privileges, which the law (
Exod 21:10) gives to wives, when a man has more than one.
reproach--of being unwedded and childless; especially felt among the Jews, who were looking for "the seed of the woman," Jesus Christ, described in
Isa 4:2;
Isa 54:1,
Isa 54:4;
Luke 1:25.