Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 4

Verses 1-6

1. The women do not claim to be kept as the man’s wives, but only pray that he will remove from them the reproach of being childless (cp. Genesis 30:23), so depopulated has the land become. The v. belongs to Isaiah 3.

In that day] i.e. when the Day of God’s judgment (Isaiah 2:12; Isaiah 3:18) is over.

2. Branch] not here a title of Messiah (the word is not the same in Isaiah 11:1) but referring to the verdure of the land. Fertility of the soil is often a feature of the ideal future in the prophets (Isaiah 30:23; Amos 9:13; Zechariah 9:16-17). For the expression ’branch of Jehovah’ cp. ’cedars of God,’ Psalms 80:10; ’trees of Jehovah,’ Psalms 104:16.

Escaped] referring to the godly remnant (Isaiah 61:3).

3. Shall be called holy] i.e: as actually being so: cp. Isaiah 1:26. Written] i.e. enrolled as a citizen.

4. Spirit] RM ’blast.’

5. Upon every dwelling place] RV ’over the whole habitation.’ A cloud, etc.] the sign of God’s protecting presence; the imagery is from the exodus (Exodus 13:21-22; Exodus 14:19-20). Upon all, etc.] ’over all the glory shall be spread a canopy,’ i.e. for shadow and refuge, as explained in the next v.

6. Tabernacle] RV ’pavilion.’