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.
Deep dive
The movement opens with “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread…” By verse 3, the text has turned to “And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem…” It lands on “And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 2 verses with a speech marker, 3 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.
Accusation, warning, invitation to return, judgment, and hope each do different work. The prophet’s first audience anchors later questions about fulfillment. Words such as Jerusalem, LORD, Zion, place, spirit, apparel tie the complete block together. The central idea, “the wording and movement of this passage,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.
Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Jerusalem, Zion, Israel, Lord. Its number language includes seven, one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 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 detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.
Words to trace: Jerusalem, LORD, Zion, place, spirit, apparel
Verse-by-verse path
- 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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Isaiah 4:2
“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.
- Isaiah 4:3
“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 4:4
“When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Isaiah 4:5
“And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
- Isaiah 4:6
“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…” 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.
Resources gathered for this chapter
The story map and deeper reflection are available as distinct resources alongside this teaching plan. Each opens on its own page.
A chapter-specific teaching brief
These anchors come from this chapter itself. They help a teacher use the Level 1 story map, the Level 2 analysis, and the Scripture text as one lesson.
Open with the chapter’s first image
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…”
Slow down at the turning point
Isaiah 4:3: “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…”
Keep this word trail visible
Jerusalem, LORD, Zion, place, spirit, apparel
Observation and teaching prompt
- Identify the historical crisis, covenant failure, warning, and promised hope.
- Distinguish the prophet’s immediate audience from later biblical connections.
- Do not turn present-day headlines into confident fulfillment claims without textual evidence.
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.
Learning objectives
- Place Isaiah 4 within Isaiah 4 and explain its role in Isaiah.
- Describe from the text how the passage develops this focus: Isaiah 4:1–6 completes a passage that was not covered by the original study-unit map. Its own wording and immediate context supply the focus..
- Distinguish an explicit statement, a Scripture-supported conclusion, and an interpretation.
- Explain how prophecy shapes a responsible reading of this unit.
- Compare a related song or video with the passage, then return to the text to test it.
- Form a personal and communal response that does not exceed the evidence of Scripture.
Teacher preparation
- Read Isaiah 4 twice, then read the material immediately before and after it.
- Review the book movement: Isaiah 4 (Isaiah 4).
- Mark speakers, actions, repeated words, commands, contrasts, promises, and consequences.
- Preview each related song or video and note where it condenses, interprets, or dramatizes the text.
- Prepare a participation option that lets learners respond without forced personal disclosure.
Evidence and interpretation checks
Explicit
Record two claims that Isaiah 4 states directly and cite the verses.
Scripture-supported
Form one conclusion that joins several parts of Isaiah 4. Show each step.
Strong inference
Identify a conclusion that follows the text closely even though it is not stated in one sentence.
Possible or traditional reading
Where responsible readings differ, present the difference without turning it into certainty.
Limit
Do not use speculation as a teaching conclusion.
Discussion with answer guidance
1. What does Isaiah 4 state directly about God, people, or the situation?
Show teacher guidance
Begin with the passage’s words and actions. Require an exact verse before accepting a conclusion.
2. How does this focus develop across the passage: Isaiah 4:1–6 completes a passage that was not covered by the original study-unit map. Its own wording and immediate context supply the focus.?
Show teacher guidance
Trace the opening, change, and outcome. Do not rely on one sentence when the unit presents a sequence.
3. Which word, action, contrast, or response repeats, and what work does it do?
Show teacher guidance
Repetition may signal structure or emphasis, but explain its meaning inside the immediate context.
4. How does this unit contribute to the Isaiah 4 movement?
Show teacher guidance
Compare the unit with what comes before and after it in the same book.
5. What interpretive caution does prophecy require here?
Show teacher guidance
Identify the first audience, historical crisis, covenant charge, warning, call to return, and promised hope before considering later fulfillment.
6. What faithful response follows for an individual and for a community?
Show teacher guidance
Form a concrete, proportionate response. Do not turn a description into a command without evidence.
Responsible application
Heart and habits
Name one belief, desire, or practice that Isaiah 4 corrects, strengthens, or redirects.
Relationships and community
Form one action that protects dignity, truth, justice, mercy, or faithfulness in a real relationship.
Worship and prayer
Write a prayer using the vocabulary and concerns of the passage.
Service and witness
Choose one observable response for this week and one person who can support accountability.
Audience adaptations
Children
Use a short reading block, a people-and-actions map, and one concrete response. Explain difficult vocabulary before reading.
Youth
Ask learners to identify pressure, loyalty, power, and consequences. Permit written responses without public disclosure.
Adults
Add literary and historical context, compare responsible readings, and require evidence for each claim.
Intergenerational group
Pair different ages, assign observation before interpretation, and close with a shared prayer.
Online or at home
Send the reference in advance, use media as an observation pause, and gather responses in a shared document.
Complete 75-minute teaching path
A shorter group can omit the extended discussion while preserving the Scripture reading, evidence check, and closing response.
Orient the group
Name the book, Isaiah 4, genre, and central question. Explain that every conclusion will be checked against the text.
Read the complete unit
Read aloud or silently. Learners mark speakers, repetitions, commands, contrasts, and changes.
Work through the reading blocks
Summarize each block in one sentence and record the verse that supports the summary.
Use a song or video
Play one related resource. Compare its emphasis and omissions with the passage.
Discuss from evidence
Use the questions and require a Scripture reference for every major answer.
Form responsible application
Develop one personal and one communal response. Avoid promises or commands that the text does not establish.
Summarize and pray
Let each learner complete one sentence about the passage. Pray with its vocabulary and concerns.
Song and video learning lab
A song or video may interpret, compress, or dramatize the text. Its value becomes clearer when its choices are compared with Scripture.
- Before the media: the exact passage and its central movement.
- During the media: the words, people, events, and emotions the artist emphasizes.
- After the media: what it clarifies, what it leaves out, and what belongs back in the biblical text.