USB ~ Isaiah 4

1 Seven 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.

3 Everyone who remains in Zion, everyone left in Jerusalem Will be called holy: everyone inscribed for life† in Jerusalem. a

4 When 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

5 Then 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

6 For over all, his glory will be shelter and protection: shade from the parching heat of day, refuge and cover from storm and rain. d

Footnotes

†. 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.

4:3 Is 6:13; Ob 17; Mal 3:16.
4:4 Is 1:21-28.
4:5 Ex 13:21.
4:6 Is 32:1-2.