The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

elevated prose or poetry and also where the natural/subject breaks occur. Be careful of modern chapterand verse divisions! They are not an inspired guide!4:1 This verse seems to link with 3:6 (different VERBS, 3:6, BDB 1074 and 4:1, BDB 304, but bothmean “to grasp firmly”). It may surely link to the Messianic age (i.e., 4:2, “Branch”). Hebrew poetry isdifficult to “lock down.” It is often a play on words and similar actions.} “seven women” Seven is the number for perfection in Jewish thought relating to Genesis 1.Therefore, this , like 3:25-26, refers to all inhabitants of Jerusalem/Judah.} “take hold” This VERB (BDB 304, KB 302, Hiphil PERFECT) denotes someone taking a firm grip onanother person or some object (i.e., Deut. 22:25; 25:11; I Sam. 15:27; II Sam. 1:11; I Kgs. 1:50; II Kgs.2:12; 4:27; Pro. 7:13; 26:17; Zech. 8:23).} “let us be called by your name” The name was a symbol of the person and his characteristics. Thepurpose of this action is revealed in the next phrase, “take away our reproach” (BDB 62, KB 74, QalIMPERFECT). Who can do this?1. the righteous of 3:102. the Messianic “Branch” of 4:2-6} “take away our reproach” This NOUN (BDB 357) may refer to1. a symbol of their sin and rebellion against YHWH2. their widowhood with no children because all the men were killed in battle (NASB StudyBible, p. 965, NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 75)Isaiah 54:4 fits both options because “widowhood” could refer to being divorced (i.e., legal metaphor)by YHWH.NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 4:2-62In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earthwill be the pride and the adornment of the survivors of Israel. 3 It will come about that he who isleft in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded for life inJerusalem. 4 When the LORD has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and purged thebloodshed of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, 5 thenthe LORD will create over the whole area of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud by day,even smoke, and the brightness of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy.6There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from thestorm and the rain.4:2 “In that day” This refers to a future time when YHWH comes (for blessing or judgment) to Hispeople (cf. 2:2,11,12,20; 3:7,18; 4:1,2). This is a recurrent theme in Isaiah. It is hard to be certain if thisreferred in Isaiah’s mind to1. restoration from exile by Zerubabbel and Joshua in the Persian period (i.e., Ezra andNehemiah)2. restoration by the Maccabees in the Selucid period3. Jesus’ first coming (inauguration of the New Age)4. Jesus’ second coming (consummation of the New Age)Notice how the Prophet swings from radical, complete judgment to radical complete forgiveness andrestoration! This is typical in the prophetic literature. One could not be presented without the other!The purpose of judgment is always restoration.64