Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:

ISAIAH 3:16KJV
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Isaiah 3:16 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 3:16 mean?

Isaiah 3:16 describes how the LORD accuses the women of Jerusalem ("the daughters of Zion") of being proud and showing off with their appearance and behavior, walking with their heads held high, flirtatious eyes, and an attention-seeking way of moving. This verse points out their vanity and the outward signs of pride that have become common among them.

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah is speaking God's message to the people of Jerusalem during a time when the nation was turning away from God's ways. The focus here is on the women of the city, highlighting their prideful attitudes and the way they draw attention to themselves. This verse sets up a warning that such prideful behavior will have consequences, which Isaiah goes on to describe in the following verses.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 3:16

  • "haughty" (גָּבַהּ, gavah): This word means "to be high" or "exalted," and here it refers to an attitude of arrogance or pride. The verse is not just about outward actions but about an inner attitude of superiority.
  • "wanton" (שָׁקַר, shaqar) "eyes" (עַיִן, ayin): The phrase translated as "wanton eyes" uses a word that often means "deceitful" or "flirtatious," suggesting eyes that are used to attract or manipulate attention.
  • "mincing" (טָפַף, tafaf): This word describes a small, affected, or dainty way of walking, meant to attract notice. It emphasizes the deliberate, showy behavior being criticized.
  • "tinkling" (עָכַן, akan) "with their feet" (רֶגֶל, regel): This refers to the sound made by ankle jewelry or ornaments as they walk, again highlighting the effort to draw attention through appearance and movement.

Why Isaiah 3:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God's concern is not only with actions but also with attitudes of pride and self-importance, especially when they are displayed outwardly.
  • Isaiah 3:16 helps explain why judgment is coming to Jerusalem in the wider context of the chapter, showing that even the social elite are not exempt from accountability.
  • The verse challenges the idea that only men or leaders were called out for wrongdoing; here, the prophet addresses the women of the city, showing that everyone is included in the call to humility.

Where else these words appear

“necks” Hebrew H1627 · used in 8 verses

  • Psalms 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
  • Psalms 115:7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.
  • Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

“Because” Hebrew H3282 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
  • 1 Kings 14:7 Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel,
  • Ezekiel 12:12 And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.

“haughty” Hebrew H1361 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Samuel 10:23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
  • Psalms 113:5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
  • Ezekiel 17:24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.