3:1
The whole of this chapter is a prophecy of the calamities resulting from the Babylonian invasion and captivity. There will be a shortage of the basic necessities such as food or water.

The word host refers to a group of soldiers. The Lord of hosts is the God of an army. The stay and the staff – every kind of support, whether great or small. The whole kingdom of the Jews will collapse.

3:2
The collapse of the government. All the stable, capable leaders will be gone.

3:3
There will be no-one found to lead the people.

3:4

The babes and children is a reference to the incompetence, weakness, and ignorance of the people that will be elevated to places of authority as the decline of Israel continues. This was fulfilled in a succession of weak and wicked princes.

3:5
Society will be divided. There will be a disregard of God’s law concerning respect for the aged.

3:6
In a time when food and clothing are so scarce, anyone who appears a little better off than others will be invited to take over the leadership in an effort to restore order in the chaotic city. 

3:7
No one wants to be in charge because there is nothing left for a leader to do except tend to the wounded. They will quickly make excuses and refuse the invitation, for no one will want to be leader in such a troubled time.

3:8
Judah and Jerusalem will be punished for their disobedience. They have brought their destruction upon their own heads.

3:9
The Book of Mormon clarifies the meaning of this significant verse (see 2 Nephi 13:9). Individuals radiate the quality of their spirit and attitude. They manifest the real person—good or evil. Isaiah warned that the disobedient cannot hide the effects of their transgressions from others. President David O. McKay provided the following insights into this principle:

“Every man and every person who lives in this world wields an influence, whether for good or for evil. It is not what he says alone; it is not alone what he does. It is what he is. Every man, every person radiates what he or she really is. … It is what we are and what we radiate that affects the people around us.

“As individuals, we must think nobler thoughts. We must not encourage vile thoughts or low aspirations. We shall radiate them if we do. If we think noble thoughts; if we encourage and cherish noble aspirations, there will be that radiation when we meet people, especially when we associate with them.’ (Man May Know for Himself, p. 108.) (Old Testament Institute Manual)

Their sins are visible in their faces. They have brought evil upon themselves by their actions.

3:10
The righteous will receive the appropriate reward for their works.

3:11
Wrongdoers will suffer a fitting punishment. As ye sow, so shall ye reap.

3:12
Unqualified leaders were leading the people astray and giving them confusing directions concerning God’s will. (Children and women are probably not meant literally but represent leaders lacking in maturity or experience).

3:13
The Lord pleads for and judges his people.

3:14
The leaders used their positions entirely for their own benefit. The vineyard represents the Jewish people.

3:15
By what right do you trample on my people and put them to pain as if they were ground in a mill?

3:16

Daughters of Zion refers to Jerusalem and Judah in the future.

“Stretched forth necks” is an idiom describing haughtiness—pride in self and scorn toward others (see Young, Book of Isaiah, 1:162).

 “Mincing … and making a tinkling with their feet.” The women wore costly ornamental chains connecting rings about the ankles. These were often adorned with bells. (See Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 7:1:143.) (Institute Old Testament Manual)

3:17

The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness. The Hebrew word translated ‘will smite with a scab,’ means to “make bald,” particularly to make the hair fall off by sickness. God will humble and punish them.

“Discover their secret parts” is an idiom meaning that they would be put to shame (see Isaiah 3:17a). (Institute Old Testament Manual)

3:18
In that day – the Babylonian captivity.

The Lord will take away – through the Babylonians.

“Cauls … round tires like the moon” were ornamental jewelry in the shape of suns and moons according to the fashions of that day (see Young, Book of Isaiah, 1:165). (Institute Old Testament Manual)

If something influences you to be proud God will cause it to be taken away from you.

3:19

Muffler = a veil

3:20
Bonnet = headdress

Tablets = perfume boxes

3:21

More jewellery

3:22

“wimples”—a type of shawl or veil worn over the head; “crisping pins”—erroneously rendered as hair curling implements. The Hebrew suggests a bag, like modern purses or handbags (Institute Old Testament Manual)

3:23

“glasses”—most authorities translate as a metal mirror, although some suggest transparent clothing, “hoods”—turbans, head cover wrapped by hand. (See Young, Book of Isaiah, 1:165–66; Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 7:1:144–47.) (Institute Old Testament Manual)

3:24

The prophet contrasts their former beauty with the results of judgment. Because of their wickedness, the beauty, the pride, and the fashion will become tragedy, disaster, and slavery. The girdle in verse 24 was the sash used to fasten the outer clothing. Keil and Delitzsch showed that the “rent” which was to replace it was the rope used to bind slaves. Sackcloth was black goat’s hair worn at times of great mourning. The “burning” refers to the branding that often accompanied one’s being made a slave. Thus Keil and Delitzsch translated this verse: “And instead of balmy scent there will be mouldiness, and instead of the sash, a rope, and instead of artistic ringlets a baldness, and instead of the dress cloak a frock of sackcloth, branding instead of beauty” (Commentary, 7:1:147). (Institute Old Testament Manual)

3:25

In the calamities to come, their strong men will be overcome and fall in battle.

3:26

Sitting on the ground denotes mourning and great distress. What awaits the prideful is forced humility.