Isaiah 3:20
ESV
the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets;
NIV
the headdresses and anklets and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms,
NASB
headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes, amulets,
CSB
headdresses, ankle jewelry, sashes, perfume bottles, amulets,
NLT
scarves, ankle bracelets, sashes, perfumes, and charms;
KJV
The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,
NKJV
The headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands; The perfume boxes, the charms,
What does Isaiah 3:20 mean?
The different kinds of adornments that the Lord will take away from the prideful women of Judah (Isaiah 3:18–19, 21–24) is continued in this verse. These are women who have rejected God while displaying their wealth and likely their allegiance to false gods on their person (Isaiah 3:16–17). The Lord will no longer allow these women to adorn themselves this way.A headdress was likely a circlet of gold or silver worn on the head, or it may be a kind of turban. The word for "armlets" refers to bracelets worn above the elbow, but the same word may also be translated as "ankle chains." These were connected links worn between the ankles that would require the wearer to take small delicate steps (Isaiah 3:16). The word for "perfume boxes" literally means "houses of breath" or, suggesting occult practices, "houses of the soul." Amulets may be charms worn for good luck or to ward off evil spirits (Isaiah 3:3).
These women were apparently displaying their allegiance and dependence on false gods through the items they were wearing on their bodies. The Lord would not allow them to continue to believe that their charms and gods were providing for and protecting them.
Isaiah 3:16–4:1 describes the wealthy women of Jerusalem and Judah from the Lord's perspective. He describes them as conceited, casting seductive looks all around. Because of their open rebellion, the Lord will take away all their adornments, from their moon-god crescent ornaments to their veils. When the judgment comes, their perfume will be replaced by stench and their styled hair with baldness. They will wear sackcloth with rope belts. They will be destitute and lonely enough to beg any living man to simply say he is their husband. Jerusalem's men will fall in battle, leaving the city exposed. Jerusalem will sit empty and in mourning.
Isaiah reveals that the Lord will take away all the qualified men from Judah and Jerusalem in His judgment. This includes military, political, and spiritual leaders. After they're gone, the people will turn on each other to survive, trying to convince anyone with the slightest advantage to be their leader. The Lord makes his case against Judah's leaders for taking from the poor instead of providing for them. The Lord will take away from Judah's women all the adornments they displayed in public in their arrogance and immorality. Jerusalem's men will fall, and she will be left empty.
