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the hand mirrors, the fine linen garments, the tiaras, and the shawls.
Isaiah 3:23 · World English Bible
Parallel translations
  • KJV The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
  • BSB and their mirrors, linen garments, tiaras, and shawls.
  • NKJV and the mirrors; The fine linen, the turbans, and the robes.
  • NASB papyrus garments, undergarments, headbands, and veils.
  • NLT mirrors, fine linen garments, head ornaments, and shawls.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

The inventory of finery closes with hand mirrors, fine linen, tiaras, and shawls. The long list ends, having stripped Jerusalem's daughters of every prized possession.

Overview

Mirrors and fine linen represent self-admiration and prosperity, while tiaras suggest a near-royal pride. The completed catalogue sets the stage for the stark reversal described in the next verse. Isaiah's point throughout is that misplaced trust in self and splendor invites the loss of it all.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 10

  • Gen 24:65She said to the servant, “Who is the man who is walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” She took her veil, and covered herself.
  • Gen 41:42Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand, and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in robes of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck,
  • Rev 19:14The armies which are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in white, pure, fine linen.
  • Ruth 3:15He said, “Bring the mantle that is on you, and hold it.” She held it; and he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her; then he went into the city.
  • 1 Chr 15:27David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the choir master with the singers; and David had an ephod of linen on him.
  • Rev 19:8It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
  • Exod 38:8He made the basin of brass, and its base of brass, out of the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
  • Ezek 16:10I clothed you also with embroidered work, and put sealskin shoes on you. I dressed you with fine linen and covered you with silk.
  • Luke 16:19“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.
  • Song 5:7The watchmen who go about the city found me. They beat me. They bruised me. The keepers of the walls took my cloak away from me.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (5)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Isaiah videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Isaiah 3:23YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on IsaiahMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

Isaiah sees him most clearly: the virgin's son Immanuel, the child on David's throne, the shoot from Jesse, the light to the nations, and above all the Suffering Servant pierced for our transgressions (ch. 53).

How Isaiah 3:23 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.