The Divine Lamp

As I noted in my previous post on Isaiah, the prophet is describing in 3:1-4:1 the breakdown of the social order of Judah. Here, in 3:16-4:1, he turns his attention towards the wealthy woman of Judah (Southern Kingdom) and criticizes them for their shallow, expensive, ostentation (see also the scathing indictment of the women of Israel-Northern Kingdom- in Amos 4:1-3).

Vs 16 Thus says the Lord: Because of the haughtiness of the daughters of Zion, who walk with outstretched necks, with lusting eyes as the walk and mince along to the tune of the tinkling of their ankle bracelets,

Vs 17 the Lord will strike and scab the crowns of their heads, the Lord shall bare their scalps. (My translation)
This part of the prophecy is motivated Because of the haughtiness of the daughters of Zion. Haughtiness is the word gabahh; it means to be lofty or tall. Recall that in chapter 2 the prophet had said God would bring the lofty man down and be against all that is lofty and proud (2:11-12). Essentially, the woman are being condemned for the pride they take in their finery and looks. They lacked what St Peter called “the hidden character of heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God” (see 1 Pt 3:1-6). Rather, they walked with outstretched necks to call attention to themselves by appearing taller (?). With lusting eyes they were on the scout for men as they walked flirtatiously, their anklets tinkling and helping to grab masculine attention. Their heads will be rudely shaved of hair, an ancient sign of punishment for sexual indecencies.

Vs 18 On that day the Lord will take away their anklets, scarves and crescents;

Vs 19 the chains, the bracelets, and the veils,

Vs 20 the head-dresses, the leg ornaments, and the sashes; along with the perfume boxes and amulets;

Vs 21 the rings and the jewels in the nose,

Vs 22 their festival dresses, capes, coats, and purses,

Vs 23 their mirrors, fine linen, tiaras and shawls,

Vs 24 It will come to pass that instead of perfume they shall have stench; a rope shall replace the sash; the beautiful hair will become baldness; they will have sackcloth instead of fine clothes; their beauty shall be replaced with a brand

Vs 25 Your men shall fall by the sword, and your mighty ones by war;

Vs 26 Lamentation and mourning shall be at the gates, the city is an empty desolation sitting upon the ground.

4:1 On that day seven women will grab hold of a man, saying, our own bread we shall eat and our own apparel we shall provide; this alone we ask: let us be called by your name so that our disgrace may be taken away.

The list of fineries which the prophet details are not all known with certainty, this is why you may find differing items listed in various translations. One thing is certain, the luxurious life the women enjoyed will be no more. Their reversal will be complete. A brand, the mark of a slave, will replace their beauty. Their fine clothes and ornaments with which they enticed men will be replaced with the bare essentials necessary for a modest existence. The men they so carelessly teased for their own amusement and pride will become almost extinct, like the city of Jerusalem itself (see 1:8). And as they realize they are facing the covenant curse of spinsterhood and childlessness the men they once treated so casually will become all important to them. Any man will do. The city that once heard the rattling of their jewelry will hear the sound of their funeral dirges and mourning.