Isaiah's catalog of 21 specific luxury items—from anklets to perfume boxes—creates the Bible's most detailed inventory of feminine adornment, making the prophesied reversal from ornaments to baldness devastatingly concrete.
Isaiah 4
1Seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread, and wear our own clothing. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our reproach.”
The Branch of the Lord
2In that day, the LORD’s branch will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the beauty and glory of the survivors of Israel.
3It will happen that he who is left in Zion and he who remains in Jerusalem shall be called holy, even everyone who is written among the living in Jerusalem,
4when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from within it, by the spirit of justice and by the spirit of burning.
5The LORD will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night, for over all the glory will be a canopy.
6There will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain.
Font Size 17pt
Line Spacing
Theme
Isaiah 4 presents a stark contrast between judgment and restoration, beginning with the aftermath of divine judgment where social order has collapsed, leaving women desperate for protection and respectability. The chapter then shifts to a glorious vision of the future 'Branch of the LORD,' describing a purified remnant in Jerusalem who will experience God's holy presence. This messianic prophecy envisions divine protection and glory returning to Mount Zion, with God's presence manifested through cloud, fire, and shelter reminiscent of the wilderness tabernacle.
Context
This chapter concludes the judgment oracle against Jerusalem's pride from chapters 2-3, transitioning to themes of restoration that will dominate later sections of Isaiah.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1 Desperation After Judgment Seven women seek one man's protection, showing the social devastation following God's judgment on Jerusalem.
- 2 The Beautiful Branch The LORD's branch will bring beauty and glory to the survivors of Israel in the coming day.
- 3-4 The Holy Remnant Those remaining in Jerusalem will be called holy after God purges the city's sin through justice and burning.
- 5-6 Divine Protection Restored God will create a canopy of cloud and fire over Mount Zion, providing shelter and refuge for His people.
Judgment on the Daughters of Zion
3:16–4:1 prophecy rebuke wrathful
Isaiah condemns the pride and vanity of Jerusalem's wealthy women, prophesying that their luxury will be replaced with shame and desolation. The judgment will be so severe that women will desperately seek any man for protection and provision.
theme_rarity
Isaiah's catalog of 21 specific luxury items—from anklets to perfume boxes—creates the Bible's most detailed inventory of feminine adornment, making the prophesied reversal from ornaments to baldness devastatingly concrete.
The Branch of the Lord
4:2–4:6 prophecy hopeful
Isaiah prophesies about the future glory and purification of Jerusalem's remnant, with God providing divine protection and presence through cloud and fire. The passage describes the holy remnant who will survive God's judgment and experience His sheltering presence.
theme_rarity
Isaiah uniquely combines divine holiness with protective imagery—cloud by day and fire by night—echoing Exodus while promising future purification for Jerusalem's remnant.
Insights
Isaiah uniquely combines divine holiness with protective imagery—cloud by day and fire by night—echoing Exodus while promising future purification for Jerusalem's remnant.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Isaiah 4:2 1 reference
Isaiah 4:4 3 references
Lexicals 3
Deuteronomy 21:9 Lexical
So you shall put away the innocent blood from among you, when you shall do that which is right in the LORD’s eyes.
2 Chronicles 4:6 Lexical
He also made ten basins, and put five on the right hand and five on the left, to wash in them. The things that belonged…
Proverbs 30:12 Lexical
There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.
Isaiah 4:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
Nehemiah 9:12 Lexical
Moreover, in a pillar of cloud you led them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way in w…
Psalms 78:14 Lexical
In the daytime he also led them with a cloud, and all night with a light of fire.
Exodus 40:38 Lexical
For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in the cloud by night, in the sight of all th…
Deuteronomy 1:33 Lexical
who went before you on the way, to seek out a place for you to pitch your tents in: in fire by night, to show you by wha…
Exodus 13:21 Lexical
The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to g…
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
v. 1
v. 2
v. 3
v. 4
v. 5
v. 6
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
Loading map...