Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.

ISAIAH 3:17KJV
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Isaiah 3:17 (KJV)

What does Isaiah 3:17 mean?

Isaiah 3:17 says that the Lord will punish the women of Jerusalem by causing sores on their heads and exposing their private parts. This is a warning of shame and humiliation as a consequence for their pride and behavior.

In this verse, Isaiah is speaking to the people of Jerusalem, specifically addressing the "daughters of Zion," which refers to the women of the city. The context is a prophecy where God, through Isaiah, warns of coming judgment because the people have become arrogant and self-indulgent. The verse uses physical imagery—scabs on the head and exposure—to symbolize deep disgrace and the loss of dignity that will come as a result of their actions.

The Hebrew behind Isaiah 3:17

  • "Lord" (אֲדֹנָי, 'Adonai', H136) and "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH, H3068) both appear, showing a strong emphasis that this judgment comes directly from God, using both a title of authority and God's personal name.
  • "Scab" (פֹּה, pōh, H5596) refers to a physical sore or wound, highlighting the concrete and humiliating nature of the punishment.
  • "Discover" (עָרָה, 'arah, H6168) means to uncover or expose, stressing the idea of public shame, not just physical harm.
  • "Parts" (פֶּתַח, petach, H6596) points to private areas, making clear that the exposure is meant to be deeply humiliating in the cultural context.

Why Isaiah 3:17 matters

  • Isaiah 3:17 clears up that the judgment is not just spiritual or symbolic, but involves real, public humiliation, which would have been especially shameful in ancient Israelite society.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that the pride and vanity of Jerusalem’s women are not overlooked; their actions have visible, serious consequences.
  • Understanding the specific Hebrew words helps reveal the intensity of the warning—this is not just about physical suffering, but about a loss of honor and respect in the community.

Where else these words appear

“parts” Hebrew H6596 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:50 And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, to wit, of the temple.

“scab” Hebrew H5596 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:36 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and shall say, Put me, I pray thee, into one of the priests' offices, that I may eat a piece of bread.
  • 1 Samuel 26:19 Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the LORD have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the LORD; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the LORD, saying, Go, serve other gods.
  • Isaiah 14:1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

“head” Hebrew H6936 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
  • Deuteronomy 33:20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.
  • Psalms 7:16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

“discover” Hebrew H6168 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 24:20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
  • Psalms 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.
  • Isaiah 32:15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.