About Isaiah

Isaiah proclaims both judgment and salvation, containing the most detailed messianic prophecies in the Old Testament.

Author: IsaiahWritten: c. 740-680 BCReading time: ~1 minVerses: 6
HolinessJudgmentSalvationMessiahServantRestoration

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Jerusalem(Settlement)Mount Zion(Hill)Zion(Settlement)

King James Version

Isaiah 4

6 verses with commentary

The Branch of the Lord

1

And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. let: Heb. let thy name be called upon us to take: or, take thou away

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The desperation of seven women seeking one man reverses typical marriage patterns, illustrating the devastating male population loss from war (3:25). Their offer to provide their own sustenance ('eat our own bread...wear our own apparel') and merely seek to remove reproach shows cultural stigma of childlessness. This depicts covenant curse outworking (Deuteronomy 28:30, 62), yet also transitions to restoration hope (4:2-6) as the purified remnant emerges from judgment.
2

In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel. beautiful: Heb. beauty and glory them: Heb. the escaping

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The 'branch of the LORD' (Hebrew 'tsemach YHWH') is messianic terminology (cf. Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8), pointing to Christ as the shoot from Jesse's root. The parallelism between 'branch of the LORD' and 'fruit of the earth' may indicate both divine and human nature, anticipating incarnation. For the remnant ('them that are escaped of Israel'), this Branch becomes 'beautiful and glorious'—reversing judgment's shame with restored glory through Messiah.
3

And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem: among: or, to life

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Those 'left in Zion' and 'remaining in Jerusalem' are designated 'holy'—set apart by divine election and purification, not inherent merit. The phrase 'written among the living' anticipates the book of life concept (Exodus 32:32; Revelation 20:12), signifying divine determination of salvation. This selective preservation reflects Reformed doctrine of particular redemption: God sovereignly preserves a remnant for Himself, purified through judgment's refining fire.
4

When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

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God's washing away filth (literally 'dung') and purging blood 'by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning' describes sanctifying work through trial and discipline. The Holy Spirit's dual action—judicial (judgment) and purifying (burning)—removes moral corruption. This anticipates John Baptist's prophecy that Christ would baptize with Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11), and Peter's teaching that trials refine faith like gold (1 Peter 1:7). Sanctification requires both forensic justification and progressive purification.
5

And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. upon all: or, above all defence: Heb. covering

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The promise of divine presence—cloud by day and flaming fire by night—deliberately echoes Exodus imagery of God's presence guiding Israel (Exodus 13:21-22). The phrase 'upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies' extends Shekinah glory beyond tabernacle/temple to every habitation, anticipating new covenant reality where God dwells with His people directly (Revelation 21:3). The covering 'tabernacle' provides both guidance and protection, fulfilled in Christ who 'tabernacled among us' (John 1:14).
6

And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

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The tabernacle/booth provides fourfold protection: shade from heat, refuge from storm, hiding from rain, covering from flood. This comprehensive security imagery depicts God as ultimate shelter for His remnant people (Psalm 91:1-4). The language anticipates eschatological security where God wipes away every tear and removes all danger (Revelation 7:16-17; 21:4). This concludes chapter 4's movement from judgment (4:1) through purification (4:3-4) to restoration and protection (4:5-6)—the pattern of God's redemptive work.

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