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.
Isaiah 4:1. And in that day— We have in this verse the consequence of the preceding evil. The prophet declares, that the war and captivity shall make such a prodigious scarcity in the male sex, that seven women shall be glad to apply to a single man for protection, preservation, and marriage: and importune him, though contrary to the natural modesty of their sex, to consent to take away their reproach; for not barrenness only, but a single state also, was reckoned opprobrious among the Jews. See Psalms 78:63. The emphasis and gradation of this verse are strong and remarkable. From the history of the times, and the Lamentations of Jeremiah, we learn, that the sword and the Babylonish captivity had very much thinned Judaea of men. See 2Ch 36:17 and Vitringa.
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.
Isaiah 4:2. In that day, &c.— The third part of this discourse begins here; in which is set forth the flourishing state of the remnant of the Jewish people after the times of the former calamity, under the care and providence of an illustrious person whom the prophet here calls the BRANCH of Jehovah. In this period we have, first, a prophecy of the Branch of Jehovah; and the fruit of the earth; to be seen in Sion as the king of the people congregated in his name. Secondly, the internal state of this remnant is described; that is, its singular quality or virtue of true internal spiritual holiness, with a certain sign of the time adjoined Isaiah 4:3-4. Thirdly, the internal state of this people is shewn, with respect to the providence, care, and defence, wherewith it should be favoured by the Lord: Isaiah 4:5-6. There can be no doubt that the Branch of the Lord means the Messiah. See Zechariah 6:12.Isaiah 28:5; Isaiah 28:5; Isa 60:21 and Vitringa.
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:
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.
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.
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.