Isaiah 4:1

¶ 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.

And in that day {H3117} seven {H7651} women {H802} shall take hold {H2388} of one {H259} man {H376}, saying {H559}, We will eat {H398} our own bread {H3899}, and wear {H3847} our own apparel {H8071}: only let us be called {H7121} by thy name {H8034}, to take away {H622} our reproach {H2781}.

On that day, seven women will grab hold of one man and say, "We will supply our own food and wear our own clothes. Just let us bear your name; take away our disgrace."

In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”

And 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.

Context of Isaiah 4:1

Isaiah 4:1 stands as a stark and sobering continuation of the prophetic message of judgment delivered in the preceding chapter, Isaiah 3. The phrase "And in that day" points directly to the severe consequences of Judah's and Jerusalem's rebellion against God, detailing a future time of profound national calamity, war, and divine discipline. This verse paints a vivid picture of the aftermath, where the male population has been drastically decimated, likely due to war and the judgments described earlier, leading to an extreme scarcity of men.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Severe Judgment and Scarcity: The imagery of "seven women shall take hold of one man" powerfully illustrates the devastating demographic imbalance that will result from God's judgment. This signifies an overwhelming loss of life among men, leading to a desperate situation for women seeking societal stability and identity.
  • Desperation and Reproach: The women's willingness to "eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel" is highly unusual for the time, where a husband was traditionally responsible for providing for his wife. This offer highlights their extreme desperation to escape the profound social stigma and "reproach" of being unmarried and childless in ancient Israelite society. To be without a husband or children was often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or a curse (see Genesis 30:23 regarding Rachel or Luke 1:25 regarding Elizabeth).
  • Seeking a Name and Identity: The core desire is "only let us be called by thy name." This signifies the profound cultural importance of being identified with a man, granting a woman status, protection, and the potential for progeny, thus removing the societal "reproach" of being unmarried.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The term "reproach" (Hebrew: חֶרְפָּה, cherpah) carries significant weight in biblical culture. It refers to shame, disgrace, or public dishonor. For a woman in ancient Israel, being unmarried and childless was a particularly heavy cherpah, as family lineage and the continuation of the family name were paramount. The extreme nature of the women's offer—to forgo traditional marital rights like provision and even exclusive companionship—underscores the overwhelming pressure to escape this social disgrace.

Practical Application

While this verse describes a specific historical prophecy of judgment on Judah, it conveys timeless truths about the consequences of societal sin and rebellion against God. It serves as a stark reminder that disobedience can lead to severe and unexpected forms of suffering and social breakdown. However, this grim prophecy also sets the stage for the hope found immediately in Isaiah 4:2, where the remnant is purified and the "Branch of the Lord" brings beauty and glory. This transition from judgment to purification offers a broader message of God's redemptive plan, even in the midst of discipline. It reminds us that spiritual and moral decline can lead to tangible societal consequences, but God always provides a path for a faithful remnant.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Genesis 30:23

    And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:

  • Isaiah 2:17

    And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

  • Isaiah 13:12

    I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.

  • Luke 21:22

    For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

  • Luke 1:25

    Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on [me], to take away my reproach among men.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:12

    Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

  • 1 Samuel 1:6

    And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.

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