King James Version

What Does Isaiah 4:2 Mean?

Isaiah 4:2 in the King James Version says “In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and co...” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Isaiah 4:2 · KJV

Context

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

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

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

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.

Read Isaiah 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Following exile's devastation, this prophecy promised future restoration. Typologically fulfilled in post-exilic return, ultimate fulfillment awaits Christ's kingdom establishment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ as the 'branch of the LORD' fulfill hopes for both spiritual and physical restoration?
  2. What does it mean to be among 'them that are escaped'—the elect remnant—in our generation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
בַּיּ֣וֹם1 of 13

“In that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֗וּא2 of 13
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִֽהְיֶה֙3 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

צֶ֣מַח4 of 13

“shall the branch”

H6780

a sprout (usually concrete), literal or figurative

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 13

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לִצְבִ֖י6 of 13

“be beautiful”

H6643

a gazelle (as beautiful)

וּלְכָב֑וֹד7 of 13

“and glorious”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

וּפְרִ֤י8 of 13

“and the fruit”

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙9 of 13

“of the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְגָא֣וֹן10 of 13

“shall be excellent”

H1347

the same as h1346

וּלְתִפְאֶ֔רֶת11 of 13

“and comely for”

H8597

ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively)

לִפְלֵיטַ֖ת12 of 13

“them that are escaped”

H6413

deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃13 of 13

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 4:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 4:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 23:5Zechariah 6:12Zechariah 3:8Isaiah 27:6Joel 2:32Romans 11:4-5

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