The big picture
Isaiah 4 opens in verse 1 with “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 3 with “And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in…”, and closes in verse 6 with “And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a…” Repeated or prominent terms include Jerusalem, LORD, Zion, place, spirit. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Isaiah · King James Version · 6Isaiah 4:1-6
1–6: In that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat…
Isaiah 4:1–6 opens with “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and…” and reaches “And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by Jerusalem, LORD, Zion.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Isaiah 4:1-6
King James Version1And 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Isaiah 4:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
Isaiah 4:3 forms a natural hinge: “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…”
The final note
Isaiah 4:6 leaves the reader with “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.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Jerusalem, LORD, Zion, place, spirit, apparel help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What opportunity exists before the murder?
Cain receives a warning and a call to resist sin in verse 7. Anger is not treated as an irresistible excuse.
What do the two speeches about vengeance reveal?
God limits retaliation against Cain; Lamech celebrates escalation.
KJV words made clear
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.