Crisping Pins
What Were Crisping Pins?
The phrase "crisping pins" appears in the King James Version of Isaiah 3:22 as part of a lengthy list of luxury items and accessories worn by the wealthy women of Jerusalem. In 17th-century English, "crisping" referred to curling or crimping, so the KJV translators understood these as pins or tools used to curl hair. However, later scholarship has shown that the underlying Hebrew word more likely refers to purses, satchels, or money bags, leading modern translations to render the term differently.
The Context in Isaiah 3
Isaiah 3:16-26 contains one of the most detailed catalogs of luxury goods in the entire Bible. The prophet condemns the proud and haughty women of Zion who walked with "outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go" (Isaiah 3:16). God declares that He will strip away their finery: anklets, headbands, crescents, pendants, bracelets, veils, headdresses, armlets, sashes, perfume boxes, and amulets, among many other items. The crisping pins (or purses) are listed among these luxury accessories that would be taken away as judgment.
The Translation Question
The Hebrew word in question has been variously translated across Bible versions and commentaries. The medieval Jewish scholar Kimchi interpreted it as a type of bag or purse, comparing it to the bags mentioned in 2 Kings 5:23. The Vulgate and some other ancient versions support different readings. Modern translations favor "handbags" (NIV), "purses" (ESV, NASB), or "satchels." Some scholars have also suggested girdles, veils, or headbands. The uncertainty reflects the difficulty of identifying specific items from a culture thousands of years removed from our own.
Luxury and Judgment in Isaiah
The broader message of Isaiah 3 is that material excess and spiritual pride invite divine judgment. The women of Jerusalem had placed their confidence in their wealth and adornment rather than in God. Isaiah warned that "instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a wrapping of sackcloth" (Isaiah 3:24). The stripping away of luxury items symbolized the coming judgment in which Jerusalem's security and self-confidence would be shattered.
Material Culture in Ancient Israel
Isaiah's catalog provides a rare glimpse into the material culture of 8th-century BC Jerusalem. The variety of accessories and garments mentioned reflects a prosperous urban society with access to trade goods from across the ancient Near East. Archaeological excavations in Israel have uncovered jewelry, cosmetic implements, and other personal items that match the types described in Isaiah 3, confirming the historical plausibility of the prophet's detailed list.
Biblical Context
Crisping pins appear in Isaiah 3:22 as part of a list of luxury items that God would remove from the proud women of Jerusalem. The passage extends from Isaiah 3:16 to 3:26 and forms part of Isaiah's broader judgment oracle against Judah and Jerusalem in chapters 1-5. The catalog of items illustrates the wealth and vanity that characterized Jerusalem's upper class.
Theological Significance
The passage containing crisping pins teaches that material wealth and personal adornment can become idols that replace trust in God. Isaiah's warning applies to any generation that places confidence in external appearance and possessions rather than in the Lord. The stripping away of luxury represents God's judgment on misplaced priorities and reminds readers that true security comes only from a right relationship with God.
Historical Background
Eighth-century BC Jerusalem was a prosperous city benefiting from international trade routes. Archaeological evidence from this period includes jewelry, cosmetic palettes, bronze mirrors, and various personal accessories found at sites across Judah. Hair styling was an important element of personal grooming in the ancient Near East, with curling tongs, pins, and combs discovered at archaeological sites in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Levant. Purses and satchels made from leather or fabric were common accessories for carrying valuables.