King James Version

What Does Isaiah 3:16 Mean?

Isaiah 3:16 in the King James Version says “Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes,...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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: wanton: Heb. deceiving with their eyes mincing: or, tripping nicely”

Isaiah 3:16 · KJV

Context

14

The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses. eaten: or, burnt

15

What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

16

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: wanton: Heb. deceiving with their eyes mincing: or, tripping nicely

17

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. discover: Heb. make naked

18

In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, cauls: or, networks

Read Isaiah 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The indictment against 'daughters of Zion' being 'haughty' with 'stretched forth necks' and 'wanton eyes' critiques prideful seduction and luxury. While some interpret this as condemning women specifically, the broader context suggests corporate judgment on societal vanity. The imagery parallels chapter 2's judgment on male pride (towers, cedars), demonstrating that divine judgment targets arrogance regardless of gender. This anticipates New Testament teaching on modest godliness (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:3-4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prosperity under Uzziah and Jotham enabled luxury among Jerusalem's elite. Archaeological finds of jewelry and cosmetics from the period confirm extensive adornment practices.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does external adornment sometimes mask or reveal internal spiritual pride?
  2. In what ways does contemporary culture similarly elevate appearance over godly character?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 17

“saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה2 of 17

“Moreover the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יַ֚עַן3 of 17

“Because”

H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

כִּ֤י4 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

גָֽבְהוּ֙5 of 17

“are haughty”

H1361

to soar, i.e., be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty

בְּנ֣וֹת6 of 17

“the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

צִיּ֔וֹן7 of 17

“of Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

תֵּלַ֔כְנָה8 of 17

“walking”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

נְטוּוֹ֣ת9 of 17

“with stretched forth”

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

גָּר֔וֹן10 of 17

“necks”

H1627

the throat (as roughened by swallowing)

וּֽמְשַׂקְּר֖וֹת11 of 17

“and wanton”

H8265

to ogle, i.e., blink coquettishly

עֵינָ֑יִם12 of 17

“eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

תֵּלַ֔כְנָה13 of 17

“walking”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְטָפֹף֙14 of 17

“and mincing”

H2952

to trip (with short steps) coquettishly

תֵּלַ֔כְנָה15 of 17

“walking”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וּבְרַגְלֵיהֶ֖ם16 of 17

“with their feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

תְּעַכַּֽסְנָה׃17 of 17

“and making a tinkling”

H5913

to put on anklets

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 3:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 3:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 32:9-11Ezekiel 16:49-50Isaiah 4:4Song of Solomon 3:11Matthew 21:5Proverbs 30:13

Places in This Verse

ZionSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E148 verses across 19 books
View all places in Isaiah 3 →

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