Isaiah 3:20 — Word Study
WLCהַפְּאֵרִ֤ים וְהַצְּעָדוֹת֙ וְהַקִּשֻּׁרִ֔ים וּבָתֵּ֥י הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ וְהַלְּחָשִֽׁים׃
BSA[their] headdressespᵉʼêr [bonnets, fancy head-dresses] ankle chainstsᵉʻâdâh [ornaments of the legs, bracelets] and sashesqishshur [headbands, ornamental girdles] [their] perfumenephesh bottlesbayith [perfume boxes, containers for fragrance] and charmslachash [amulets, whispers, or private prayers, used for protection or serpent charming]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַפְּאֵרִ֤ים | the head-dresses | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| וְהַצְּעָדוֹת֙ | and the ankle chains | Conjunction, particle, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| וְהַקִּשֻּׁרִ֔ים | and the sashes | Conjunction, particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| וּבָתֵּ֥י | and [the] houses of | Conjunction, noun common masculine plural construct |
| הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ | the breath | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| וְהַלְּחָשִֽׁים׃ | and the amulets | Conjunction, particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms; |
| KJV | The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, |
| ASV | the headtires, and the ankle chains, and the sashes, and the perfume-boxes, and the amulets; |
| YLT | Of the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, And of the bands, And of the perfume boxes, and the amulets, |
| WEB | the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume containers, the charms, |
| BBE | The head-bands, and the arm-chains, and the worked bands, and the perfume-boxes, and the jewels with secret powers, |
The translations agree on the items listed in this verse, with no significant differences noted.
The verse consists of two main clauses listing various adornments, emphasizing the abundance of items.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Isaiah 3:20
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Adornments of Jerusalem's Womengenerated
Isaiah 3:20 lists various items of adornment that women in Jerusalem wore, indicating their social status and beauty. This passage critiques the excessive focus on external appearance, contrasting it with the spiritual state of the people. The surrounding verses provide context for this critique, illustrating how these adornments reflect a deeper societal issue.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 35:4 | So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem. |
| 2 | Exodus 32:2 | So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” |
| 3 | Ezekiel 16:12 | I put a ring in your nose, earrings on your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head. |
| 4 | Hosea 2:13 | I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she burned incense to them, when she decked herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers. But Me she forgot,” declares the LORD. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — הַפְּאֵרִ֤ים, ha.pe.'e.Rimgenerated
The word הַפְּאֵרִ֤ים (ha.pe.'e.Rim) refers to decorative head-dresses or fancy ornaments like turbans or bonnets. It is derived from the root פָּאַר (pa'ar), which pertains to adornment and beauty, emphasizing the decorative function of these items.
This noun appears in the plural form, indicating multiple types of head-dresses. The parsing as a noun common masculine plural absolute shows it as a general category of items worn for beauty.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible as 'their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms;'.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse consists of a series of noun phrases linked by conjunctions, with the main focus on the various adornments. The finite verb is absent, as the verse lists items rather than making a declarative statement.
Each item is presented in a parallel structure, emphasizing the abundance of adornments, which reflects the cultural context of the time.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates הַפְּאֵרִ֤ים as τοῦ (the), indicating a direct correspondence to the Hebrew term but without the specific ornamental connotation. This choice suggests a more general reference rather than the specific beauty implied in the Hebrew.
The translation choices in the Septuagint show a focus on the items themselves rather than the cultural implications of their adornment.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Isaiah 3:20 describes various adornments worn by women in Jerusalem, including head-dresses, ankle chains, and sashes, as well as perfume bottles and charms. This verse critiques the excessive focus on external beauty, reflecting societal values at the time.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The adornments signify beauty and social status, highlighting the cultural emphasis on external appearance.
This verse critiques the extravagant adornments of women, contrasting their external beauty with the spiritual state of the people.
The charms indicate a reliance on magical or protective items, reflecting cultural practices that may detract from faith.
The adornments serve as a symbol of the people's misplaced priorities, focusing on external beauty rather than inner righteousness.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What do I value more in my life: external appearances or inner character?
- How can I ensure that my focus is on spiritual beauty rather than material adornments?
- In what ways can I challenge societal pressures regarding beauty and status?
- How can I support others in recognizing their worth beyond physical appearance?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Isaiah 3:20 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe bonnets,.... This word is used sometimes for the tire of the heads of men, Ezekiel 24:17 and even for the bonnets of the priests, Exodus 39:28.
Read John Gill on Isaiah 3 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, Bonnets - tiaras, or turbans.
Read Robert Jamieson on Isaiah 3 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe bonnets: these were ornaments to cover the head, common both to men, as , and to women, as here. The tablets, Heb. the houses of the soul, or of life, or of breath; whereby he seems to mean boxes of excellent perfumes, which are of great efficacy to revive our drooping spirits, and to that end are oft applied to such as are ready to faint away.
Read Matthew Poole on Isaiah 3 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsIsaiah 3:20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, Ver. 20.
Read John Trapp on Isaiah 3 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(20) The bonnets . . .—The English word is perhaps, too modern in its associations, and should be replaced by “diadems” (Exodus 39:28; Isaiah 61:10). The ornaments of the legs.—These were chains connecting the anklets of Isa 3:18, and so regulating the “mincing” or “tripping” motion of the wearer. The headbands.—Better, girdles, always the most highly ornamented part of an Eastern dress, such as were worn by brides (Jeremiah 2:32; Isaiah 49:18). The tablets.—Literally, houses of the soul—i.e., of the spirit or essence of a perfume. These seem to have been of the nature of scent-bottles, or the modern vinaigrettes. The earrings.—The noun is connected with the idea of enchantments. Better…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Isaiah 3 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 20. The tablets] The words בתי הנפש bottey hannephesh, which we translate tablets, and Bishop Lowth, perfume boxes, literally signify houses of the soul; and may refer to strong-scented bottles used for pleasure and against fainting; similar to bottles with otto of roses, worn by the ladies of the East to the present time.
Read AdamClarke on Isaiah 3 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges20. The tiaras (Exodus 39:28; Ezekiel 24:17; Isaiah 61:3; Isaiah 61:10 [R.V.]) and the foot-chains (see on Isaiah 3:16; others, “bracelets,” as in 2 Samuel 1:10, a slightly different word), and the girdles and the scent-bottles, and the amulets.
Read Cambridge on Isaiah 3 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe bonnets - The “tiara, head-dress, or turban.” The word comes from the verb “to adorn.” The “turban” is almost universally worn in the East.
Read Albert Barnes on Isaiah 3 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms;
the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume containers, the charms,
their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes; their perfume bottles and charms;
headdresses, ankle ornaments, sashes, sachets, amulets,
Tyndale line
The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,
the headtires, and the ankle chains, and the sashes, and the perfume-boxes, and the amulets;
the headtires, and the ankle chains, and the sashes, and the perfume boxes, and the amulets;
The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the head-bands, and the tablets, and the ear-rings,
The tyres of the head, and the sloppes, and the head bandes, and the tablets, and the earings,
Strictly literal
the head-dresses, and the stepping chains, and the girdles, and the scent-boxes, and the amulets;
Of the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, And of the bands, And of the perfume boxes, and the amulets,
Of the headdresses, and the ornaments of the legs, || And of the bands, || And of the perfume boxes, and the amulets,
The bonnets, and the foot-chains, and the head-bands, and the tablets, and the earrings,
the headscarves, the ankle chains, the sashes, and the perfume boxes, and the lucky charms.
From the Latin
And bodkins, and ornaments of the legs, and tablets, and sweet balls, and earrings,
Simplified
headdresses, bangles, sashes, perfume holders, lucky charms,
The head-bands, and the arm-chains, and the worked bands, and the perfume-boxes, and the jewels with secret powers,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align closely, with minor variations in the arrangement and restoration of words.
הַפְּאֵרִ֤ים וְהַצְּעָדוֹת֙ וְהַקִּשֻּׁרִ֔ים וּבָתֵּ֥י הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ וְהַלְּחָשִֽׁים׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
והפארים והצעדות וקשרים ובתי הנפש והלחשים
6 words on the leather.
[הפארים] [והצעדות] והקשרים [ובתי] [הנפש] [והלחשים]
1 word on the leather — 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Isaiah 3:20
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
פְּאֵר (pe'er) refers to a head-dress or turban, possibly originating from an ornamental item. The term is associated with embellishments and beauty, suggesting a decorative function. It is derived from a related root, פָּאַר (pa'ar), which also pertains to adornment.
פְּאֵר n.m. head-dress, turban (? orig. ornament)
base
H6287 פְּאֵר head-dress, turban (? orig. ornament)
6287 p'er peh-ayr'
from 6286; an embellishment, i.e. fancy head-dress:--beauty,
bonnet, goodly, ornament, tire.
see HEBREW for 06286
פְּאֵר (pe.er) — headdress.
head-dress, ornament, turban
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa
See GARMENTS.
צְעָדָה (ts`adah) refers to both 'marching' and an ornamental item like an armlet or anklet. It is derived from a related word meaning 'to march' and is used in contexts involving movement and adornment.
צְעָדָה n.f. marching
base
[צְעָדָה] n.f. armlet, band clasping upper arm
base
H6807a צְעָדָה marching H6807b צְעָדָה armlet, band clasping upper arm
6807 ts`adah tseh-aw-daw'
feminine of 6806; a march; (concretely) an (ornamental)
ankle-chain:--going, ornament of the legs.
see HEBREW for 06806
צְעָדָה (tse.a.dah) — marching.
marching
צְעָדָה (tse.a.dah) — bracelette.
armlet, anklet, stepping chains
Conj | Art | N-fp — Conjunction · particle · noun common feminine plural absoluteHC/Td/Ncfpa
קִשֻּׁרִים (qishshurim) refers to ornamental items such as bands, sashes, or headbands typically worn by women. The term is derived from a root that suggests binding or tying. It encompasses various forms of adornment that are secured in place.
קִשֻּׁרִים n.[m.]pl. bands, sashes, or other woman's ornament that is bound on
base
H7196 קִשֻּׁרִים pl. bands, sashes, or other woman's ornament that is bound on
7196 qishshur kish-shoor'
from 7194; an (ornamental) girdle (for women):--attire,
headband.
see HEBREW for 07194
קִשֻּׁרִים (qish.shur) — sash.
1) bands, sashes, headbands
1a) ornaments that are bound on
Conj | Art | N-mp — Conjunction · particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHC/Td/Ncmpa
The Hebrew word בַּיִת (*bayith*) means 'house' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including dwelling, family, and place. It can refer to physical structures, such as homes and temples, as well as metaphorical uses like the body or household affairs. The word is built from the root related to 'between' and appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament.
בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between
base
בַּ֫יִת 2034 n.m. house
house
place
receptacle
of house as containing a family
household, family (592 t.)
house, including household affairs
lit. housewards, hence metaph. inwards
מִבַּיִת
adv. on the inside
prep. within
base
H1004a בֵּית fem. of בַּיִן, בֵּין prep. between H1004b בַּ֫יִת house
1004 bayith bah'-yith
probably from 1129 abbreviated; a house (in the greatest
variation of applications, especially family, etc.):--court,
daughter, door, + dungeon, family, + forth of, X great as
would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter)house(-hold),
inside(-ward), palace, place, + prison, + steward, + tablet,
temple, web, + within(-out).
see HEBREW for 01129
בֵּית (bet) — place.
nm
place, origin, between
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — house: home.
: home/temple/building
nm
1) house
1a) house, dwelling habitation
1b) shelter or abode of animals
1c) human bodies (fig.)
1d) of Sheol
1e) of abode of light and darkness
1f) of land of Ephraim
2) place
3) receptacle
4) home, house as containing a family
5) household, family
5a) those belonging to the same household
5b) family of descendants, descendants as organized body
6) household affairs
7) inwards (metaph.)
8) (TWOT) temple
adv
9) on the inside
prep
10) within
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(ashbea).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with ash.be.a (אַשְׁבֵּעַ "Ashbea" H0791)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth (Haggan).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Combined with hag (גַּן "Haggan" H1588)
בַּ֫יִת (ba.yit) — Beth-(togarmah).
nm
This name is used for a house, habitation
Conj | N-mp — Conjunction · noun common masculine plural constructHC/Ncmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
The Hebrew word לַ֫חַשׁ (*lachash*) means a whisper or charm, and can refer to both positive and negative connotations, such as private prayer or incantations. It is associated with charms and amulets, particularly those worn by women. The entries highlight its use in contexts of enchantment and prayer.
לַ֫חַשׁ n.[m.] a whispering, charming
serpent-charming
charms, amulets, worn by women
whisper of prayer
base
H3908 לַ֫חַשׁ a whispering, charming
3908 lachash lakh'-ash
from 3907; properly, a whisper, i.e. by implication, (in a
good sense) a private prayer, (in a bad one) an incantation;
concretely, an amulet:--charmed, earring, enchantment, orator,
prayer.
see HEBREW for 03907
לַ֫חַשׁ (la.chash) — charm.
1) whispering, charming
1a) serpent-charming
1b) charms, amulets (worn by women)
1c) whisper (of prayer)
Conj | Art | N-mp — Conjunction · particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHC/Td/Ncmpa
were ornaments, gems, scrolls. etc.. worn as preservatives against the power of enchantments, and generally inscribed with mystic forms or characters. The "earrings" in (Genesis 35:4) were obviously connected with idolatrous worship and were probably amulets taken from the bodies of the slain Shechemites. They are subsequently mentioned among the spoils of Midian. (Judges 8:24) In (Hosea 2:13) is another like reference. The "earrings" in (Isaiah 3:20) were also amulets.