Isaiah — Chapter 4

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1And 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.

2In 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.

3And 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:

4When 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.

5And 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.

6And 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.

1And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name; take thou away our reproach.

2In that day shall the branch of Jehovah be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

3And 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;

4when 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 justice, and by the spirit of burning.

5And Jehovah 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 [shall be spread] a covering.

6And there shall be a pavilion for a shade in the day-time from the heat, and for a refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain.

1Seven women will grab hold of one man at that time. They will say, “We will provide our own food, we will provide our own clothes; but let us belong to you— take away our shame!”

2At that time the crops given by the Lord will bring admiration and honor; the produce of the land will be a source of pride and delight to those who remain in Israel.

3Those remaining in Zion, those left in Jerusalem, will be called “holy,” all in Jerusalem who are destined to live.

4At that time the Lord will wash the excrement from Zion’s women, he will rinse the bloodstains from Jerusalem’s midst, as he comes to judge and to bring devastation.

5Then the Lord will create over all Mount Zion and over its convocations a cloud and smoke by day and a bright flame of fire by night; indeed a canopy will accompany the Lord’s glorious presence.

6By day it will be a shelter to provide shade from the heat, as well as safety and protection from the heavy downpour.

1Seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread, and wear our own clothing: only let us be called by your name. Take away our reproach.”

2In that day, Yahweh’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.

5Yahweh 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.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

After judgment purges Zion's filth, a glorious remnant emerges — the Branch of the LORD is beautiful, and God shelters His purified people with a cloud by day and fire by night, a new exodus canopy over Mount Zion.

Authorship & Background

Author: Isaiah son of Amoz (see Chapter 1 notes for full details).
Classification: Prophetic Oracle — Judgment Leading to Glory Key Themes: The remnant who survive judgment, the Branch of the LORD, purification through a "spirit of burning," the return of God's glory-cloud over Zion, new exodus imagery
Historical Context: Chapter 4 concludes the section begun in chapter 2. Verse 1 actually completes the thought of 3:25-26 — after the men are killed in war, seven women grab one man, willing to provide for themselves just to bear his name and remove their reproach of childlessness. Then vv.2-6 shift dramatically to the glorious future: the Branch of the LORD, the beauty of the land, the purified remnant, and God's protective presence as a cloud and fire (recalling the Exodus pilgrimage). This short chapter is one of the most compressed messianic texts in Isaiah.
Structure:
  • The Desperation of the Women After Judgment (v.1)
  • The Branch of the LORD: Beautiful and Glorious (v.2)
  • The Holy Remnant (v.3)
  • Purification by the Spirit of Judgment and Burning (v.4)
  • The Glory-Cloud Over Zion: A Canopy of Protection (vv.5-6)

Map & Geography

  • Jerusalem (v.3, v.4): Capital of Judah; the holy city where the Temple stood.
  • Zion (v.3, v.4, v.5): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik explores the messianic Branch, the purification process, and the new exodus imagery of God's protective glory over Zion.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "The Branch of the LORD is both divine (Branch of the LORD) and human (fruit of the earth). Beautiful in His deity, excellent in His humanity. One person, two natures, infinite glory."

Videos

The Bible Project — Isaiah Overview (Video)

Animated overview of the book of Isaiah showing the literary structure, key themes, and how this book fits into the larger biblical narrative. Excellent visual introduction.

Reflection

  • 1. Beauty comes AFTER burning (vv.2-4). The Branch is glorious, but only after the filth is washed away. God's purifying work in your life — painful as it is — is preparation for beauty. What is God currently burning away to make room for glory?
  • 2. "Written among the living" (v.3) — God has a book. Your name is either in it or not. This isn't about performance but about belonging. Do you have the assurance that you are God's, that your name is inscribed in His register?
  • 3. The glory-cloud returns to cover EVERY dwelling (v.5). In Exodus, it covered only the tabernacle. In the future, it covers every home. God's presence isn't meant for the church building alone — it belongs in your house, your workplace, your daily life.
  • 4. "A tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat" (v.6) — God provides SHELTER. From heat, from storm, from rain. Whatever is beating down on you, there is a covering. Are you living under it or standing exposed by self-reliance?
  • 5. The chapter begins with desperate grasping (v.1: seven women clinging to one man) and ends with God providing everything (v.6: shelter, shade, refuge). Human desperation is the prelude to divine provision. Sometimes hitting bottom is what positions you to receive God's covering.