Isaiah 3:24

22 their festive robes, capes, cloaks, and purses;

23 and their mirrors, linen garments, tiaras, and shawls.

Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.

25 Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle.

26 And the gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.
KJV
And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
WEB
It shall happen that instead of sweet spices, there shall be rottenness; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well set hair, baldness; instead of a robe, a wearing of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.
ASV
And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet spices there shall be rottenness; and instead of a girdle, a rope; and instead of well set hair, baldness; and instead of a robe, a girding of sackcloth; branding instead of beauty.
DARBY
And it shall come to pass, instead of perfume there shall be rottenness; and instead of a girdle, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a robe of display, a girding of sackcloth; brand instead of beauty.
BLB
And it will come to pass, instead of of spice, [that] there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of worked hair, baldness; and instead of a fine robe, a girding of sackcloth; and shame instead of beauty.
ÅB
Og det skal skje: I stedet for balsam skal det være stank, og for belte rep, og for kunstig krusede krøller skallet hode, og for vid kappe trang sekk, brennemerke for skjønnhet.
OTB
Og det skal skje at i stedet for duft vil det være stank; i stedet for belte, et tau; i stedet for velstelt hår, skallethet; i stedet for fine klær, sekkelerret; og brennemerking i stedet for skjønnhet.
B1930
Og det skal skje: I stedet for balsam skal det være stank, og for belte rep, og for kunstig krusede krøller skallet hode, og for vid kappe trang sekk, brennemerke for skjønnhet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ezekiel 27:31

    They will shave their heads for you and wrap themselves in sackcloth. They will weep over you with anguish of soul and bitter mourning.

    Read in context
  • Lamentations 2:10

    The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 15:3

    In its streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 3:3

    Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes,

    Read in context
  • Micah 1:16

    Shave yourselves bald and cut off your hair in mourning for your precious children; make yourselves as bald as an eagle, for they will go from you into exile.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 22:12

    On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth.

    Read in context
  • Amos 8:10

    I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 26:16

    then this is what I will do to you: I will bring upon you sudden terror, wasting disease, and fever that will destroy your sight and drain your life. You will sow your seed in vain, because your enemies will eat it.

    Read in context