Bible Strands
Isaiah 3:23
and their mirrors, linen garments, tiaras, and shawls.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Isaiah delivers a prophetic declaration of judgment against Judah’s elite, cataloging luxury items that will be stripped away during the coming crisis.
The words — גִּלְיֹנִים (gil.yo.Nim) = mirrors; סְדִינִים (se.di.Nim) = linen garments. The verse lists these alongside tiaras and shawls as possessions that will be removed.
The thread — Mirrors are recorded in Exodus 38:8 as the source material for the bronze basin, while fine linen garments appear in Genesis 41:42 as honorific attire for Joseph.
Why it lands — The text states these items will be replaced by shame and sackcloth, explicitly contrasting transient adornment with impending loss. It asks readers to assess the fragility of social status when cultural markers are stripped away.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
Cross-references
- Genesis 24:65 and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.
- Genesis 41:42 Then Pharaoh removed the signet ring from his finger, put it on Joseph’s finger, clothed him in garments of fine linen, and placed a gold chain around his neck.
- Exodus 38:8 Next he made the bronze basin and its stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
- Ruth 3:15 And he told her, “Bring the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured in six measures of barley and placed it on her. Then he went into the city.
- 1 Chronicles 15:27 Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod.
- Song of Solomon 5:7 I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city. They beat me and bruised me; they took away my cloak, those guardians of the walls.
- Ezekiel 16:10 I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals of fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.
- Luke 16:19 Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
- Revelation 19:8 She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.
- Revelation 19:14 The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses.