Daughters of Zion: An Analysis of Isaiah 3:16-4:1 Part Seven

The metaphoric condemnation of Israel as a woman goes far beyond the condemnation of the daughters of Zion; however, there are also a number of similarities. Ezekiel 16:11-13 describes the rich attire and jewelry of Israel. The description is much like that found in Isaiah 3:18-24, including rich bracelets, earrings and fabrics. As is true of the daughters of Zion, Israel uses her beauty and her sexuality, "But you trusted in your beauty and played the whore because of your fame, and lavished your whorings on any passer-by. You took some of your garments and made for yourself colorful shrines, and on them played the whore." Here we see clearly enunciated the crime of the daughters of Zion; they have acted like whores displaying themselves on the streets of Jerusalem. Israel, has, however, even taken her gold and silver and constructed phallic images. However, Israel's crime went far beyond that of the women of Jerusalem, for she became not only a whore, but worse than a whore not only refusing payment, but even paying her lovers. Israel has sought lovers, including Egypt, and has become involved with idols. The fear of the foreign, both in politics and religion is seen here even more overtly than in Isaiah. Israel not only flaunted her sexuality, but acted on it.

Just as Israel's crime was worse than that of the women of Jerusalem, so was her punishment. Israel's punishment is that intended for an adulterous woman, an unfaithful wife. She will be stripped naked for all to see, thus, publicly humiliated. This punishment may also be apparent in Isaiah, however, that depends on whether we accept the translation of the passage as "secret parts" or forehead. After she is humiliated, Israel will be stoned to death and then cut to pieces. God will then be avenged, his rage having cooled. The anger of God has played itself out on the body of a woman, even if only metaphorically.

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