A Warning to the Daughters of Zion

The daughters of Zion are described as haughty, walking with affected allure and deliberate display. In response, the Lord will humble them bodily and publicly, turning their cultivated pride into visible disgrace.

T¹⁶he LORD also says: ¹⁷the Lord will bring sores

Isaiah lists the ornaments, garments, cosmetics, and accessories that symbolize Zion's luxurious self-regard. The detailed catalogue underscores how comprehensive the stripping will be: everything prized as outward splendor will be removed by the Lord.

¹⁸In that day the Lord will take away their finery: ¹⁹their pendants, bracelets, and veils; ²⁰their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; ²¹their signet rings and nose rings; ²²their festive robes, capes, cloaks, and purses; ²³and their mirrors, linen garments, tiaras, and shawls.

The prophet declares a series of humiliating reversals in which beauty becomes ugliness and elegance becomes shame. With men fallen by the sword and Zion's gates lamenting, the city is left emptied, mourning, and seated on the ground.

²⁴Instead of fragrance ²⁵Your men will fall by the sword, ²⁶And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn;