Bravery
An Archaic Meaning
The word "bravery" as used in the King James Version of Isaiah 3:18 does not carry the modern meaning of courage or valor. Instead, it reflects an older English usage meaning "finery," "splendor," or "showy adornment." The phrase "the bravery of their tinkling ornaments" refers to the ostentatious beauty of the ankle bracelets and jewelry worn by the wealthy women of Jerusalem. Modern translations render this more clearly as "the beauty of their anklets" or similar phrasing.
The Hebrew Behind the Word
The Hebrew word translated as "bravery" is tiphereth (or tipharah), which carries meanings of "beauty," "glory," "honor," and "majesty." This word appears throughout the Old Testament in various contexts, sometimes positively to describe the glory of God or the splendor of His creation, and sometimes critically to describe human pride and vanity. In Isaiah 3:18, the context makes clear that this particular "beauty" is being condemned as an expression of arrogance.
Isaiah's Prophecy Against Pride
Isaiah 3:16-26 contains a striking prophetic oracle against the proud women of Zion. The prophet describes how they walked with outstretched necks, flirting glances, and mincing steps, their anklets jingling as they went (Isaiah 3:16). God declares that He will strip away their finery, their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments, earrings, bracelets, veils, headdresses, perfume boxes, and rings (Isaiah 3:18-23). Instead of beauty, there will be shame; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth.
The Broader Biblical Theme
The condemnation of excessive adornment appears throughout Scripture. The prophets consistently warned that outward display without inward righteousness was offensive to God. Peter later echoed this theme, urging that beauty should come not from outward adornment but from the inner character of a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4). The issue was never beauty itself but rather pride and the neglect of justice that accompanied the pursuit of luxury.
Wealth, Justice, and Responsibility
Isaiah's critique was not merely about fashion. The broader context of Isaiah 3 addresses a society where leaders had failed (Isaiah 3:1-7) and where the wealthy exploited the poor (Isaiah 3:14-15). The extravagant display of the wealthy women was a visible symptom of a deeper societal injustice. Their "bravery", their showy finery, represented resources consumed in vanity while the poor went hungry.
Biblical Context
The word 'bravery' appears in Isaiah 3:18 (KJV) within a prophetic oracle against the proud women of Jerusalem (Isaiah 3:16-26). The passage catalogs luxurious items of adornment that God would strip away as judgment. The broader chapter addresses the failure of Judah's leadership and the social injustice that characterized the nation.
Theological Significance
Isaiah's condemnation of 'bravery' (finery) teaches that God looks beyond outward appearance to the heart. Excessive display of wealth, particularly when combined with neglect of the poor and proud self-exaltation, provokes divine judgment. The passage calls God's people to prioritize inner righteousness over outward show, a theme echoed in the New Testament.
Historical Background
Archaeological discoveries of jewelry and ornaments from Iron Age Israel confirm the types of adornments described in Isaiah 3. Excavations have uncovered anklets, bracelets, earrings, and other items matching the biblical descriptions. The wealth of Jerusalem's upper class during the 8th century BC, when Isaiah prophesied, is well attested by both archaeological and historical evidence.