Isaiah

CHAPTER 4

1Seven women will take hold of one man^*

on that day, saying:

“We will eat our own food

and wear our own clothing;

Only let your name be given us,

put an end to our disgrace!”

Jerusalem Purified

2^* On that day,

The branch^* of the LORD will be beauty and glory,

and the fruit of the land will be honor and splendor

for the survivors of Israel.

3Everyone who remains in Zion,

everyone left in Jerusalem

Will be called holy:

everyone inscribed for life^* in Jerusalem.^a

4When the Lord washes away

the filth of the daughters of Zion,

And purges Jerusalem’s blood from her midst

with a blast of judgment, a searing blast,^b

5Then will the LORD create,

over the whole site of Mount Zion

and over her place of assembly,

A smoking cloud by day

and a light of flaming fire by night.^c

6For over all, his glory will be shelter and protection:

shade from the parching heat of day,

refuge and cover from storm and rain.^d

* [4:1] Seven women…one man: deportation (cf. note on 3:1–12) would result in a disproportion of the sexes and leave the female population without enough male partners. The women are willing to marry, not for support, but to avoid disgrace.

* [4:2–6] Usually judged a later addition to the oracles of Isaiah. It relieves the threatening tone of the surrounding chaps. 3 and 5.

* [4:2] Branch: the term (Heb. semah) that is sometimes used of the ideal Davidic king of the future (cf. Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8; 6:12). However, the parallel “fruit of the land” does not favor that usage here.

* [4:3] Inscribed for life: in God’s list of the elect; cf. Ex 32:32.

a. [4:3] Is 6:13; Ob 17; Mal 3:16.

b. [4:4] Is 1:21–28.

c. [4:5] Ex 13:21.

d. [4:6] Is 32:1–2.