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About this book

1 Timothy

About this book
Chapter 2

1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people,⁠ 2 even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, 4 since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human,⁠ 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at his appointed time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle—I am telling the truth; I am not lying—and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 So I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute.⁠ 9 Likewise the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control. Their adornment must not be with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothing,⁠ 10 but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. 11 A woman must learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first and then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was fully deceived, fell into transgression.⁠ 15 But she will be delivered through childbearing, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

Texts in conversation

Compare 1 Timothy 2:9 and Jonathan Isaiah 3:16

New Testament · Targum

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Summary

The Aramaic translation of Isaiah in Targum Jonathan expands the description of women wearing jewelry and expensive clothing to highlight their arrogance. 1 Timothy similarly teaches that women should be modest and not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.

Passages

1 Timothy 2:9

New Testament
9 Likewise the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control. Their adornment must not be with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothing, 10 but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. 11 A woman must learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first and then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was fully deceived, fell into transgression. 15 But she will be delivered through childbearing, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.
90–100 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in 1 Timothy

Jonathan Isaiah 3:16

Targum
16 And the LORD said, “Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, walking with uplifted necks, ogling with their eyes, walking with mincing steps and exciting lust with their feet, 17 therefore the LORD will humble the nobles of the daughters of Zion and take away their glory.” 18 In that day the LORD will remove the finery of their anklets, headbands, and hair ornaments; 19 the pendants, bracelets, and veils; 20 the headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, and perfume boxes; the amulets and charms; 21 the rings and nose rings; 22 the festal robes, cloaks, shawls, and handbags; 23 the mirrors, fine linen garments, turbans, and shawls.
200–300 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in Jonathan Isaiah

References

"... The Targumim participate in a cosmology that reflects convictions of how eschatological reward and punishment are to be worked out. It is unlikely that the targumic scheme is original; more probably, it reflects widespread expectations. But sometimes the Targumim illuminate otherwise esoteric statements within the New Testament. Isaiah Targum 63:6 specifies the “lower earth” as the place to which God will cast the “mighty men” of his enemies. A similar phrase is used in Ephesians 4:9 in order to refer to Christ’s descent to the dead. Divine anger is invoked in the Isaiah Targum 3:16-24 against women who adorn themselves — especially their hair — in an exaggerated fashion, and that invites comparison with 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3. God’s anger is understood to “whiten” (Targum Malachi 3:2) in a way that may illuminate passages such as Mark 9:3 and Revelation 7:14 ..."
Paul V. M. Flesher and Bruce D. Chilton, The Targums: A Critical Introduction, SAIS 12 (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2011), 401.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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1 Timothy 2:9 and Jonathan Isaiah 3:16

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