Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

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THE PROPHET ISAIAH

CHAPTER FOUR:
A REMNANT SAVED

Isaiah 4:1 – The Reproach of Women

IS4:1 Then in that day seven women will grab a man, 192 telling him: “We will provide our own bread 193 and we will wear our own clothes, just take away our reproach 194 and let us be called by your name.” 195
192 Seven women will grab a man: Or, NJB: catch hold; KJV: take hold. That is, men become so rare because of war and tragedy the ratio is one to seven. [Isaiah 3:25] Some see this as indicating the arrogant women of Jerusalem are willing to become mistresses. All wars reduce not only the quantity of men, but also their quality. Nations who have experienced prolong wars are characterized by shorter men. Wars are not, as Hitler thought, a method of natural selection for the strong and healthy die.
193 We will provide our own bread: That is, a promise not to be a financial or material burden.
194 Take away our reproach: Or, JPS: our disgrace;
195 Called by your name: Or, NJB: bear your name; LXX: only let your name be called upon us. That is, “make an honest woman of me.” In some cultures unmarried women are viewed reproachfully. [Genesis 30:23; Isaiah 54:4]

Isaiah 4:2, 3 – A Remnant

IS4:2 In that day the Sprout of Y^eH^oW^aH 196 will become handsome and glorious. 197 The Fruitage of the Land 198 [will become] magnificent and stately 199 to those in Israel who have survived. 200
196 Sprout of YeHoWaH: Or, RHM: Bud of Yahweh; KJV: branch of the LORD; NJB: Yahweh’s seedling. There seem at least two views: a] a parallel to the remnant of Israel; and, b] Messiah. The Aramaic paraphrase called the Targums [T] notes, “the Messiah of YHWH.” On the latter see Jeremiah 23:5; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12. The Hebrew is TSEMACH [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #6780, sprout, shoot (of Messiah from Davidic tree)].
197 Handsome and glorious: Or, NJB: beauty and glorious; LXX: in that day God shall shine gloriously in counsel on the earth.
198 Fruitage of the Land: Or, JPS: splendor of the land; KJV: fruit of the land; NJB: what the earth brings forth.
199 Magnificent and stately: Or, NJB: pride and ornament; KJV: excellent and comely; RHM: splendid and majestic; JPS: dignity and majesty.
200 Those in Israel who have survived: Or, LXX: remnant; JPS: survivors; RHM: escaped.
IS4:3 And it will surely happen that the person who remains in Zion – the one who remains in Jerusalem – everyone inscribed for life 201 within Jerusalem – will be called Holy. 202
201 Inscribed for life: Or, NJB: noted down to live; KJV: written among the living; RHM: everyone written unto life; LXX: appointed to life. Compare the language of Daniel 12:2 and the end-time Saints. [Revelation 3:5; 20:15]
202 Called Holy: Or, Saint[s]. The Greek LXX is HAGIOI. Compare notes on 1 Peter 1:15, 16.

Isaiah 4:4-6 – Women Cleansed

IS4:4 When Y^eH^oW^aH will bathe 203 the daughters of Zion of their filth 204 – washing away the blood 205 of Jerusalem within her – [He will do this] by the spirit of judgment, 206 and by a spirit of complete cleansing. 207
203 Bathe: Or, LXX: wash; JPS: washed away. Compare 1 Corinthians 6:11 and Titus 3:5.
204 Filth: Or, LXX: wash away the filth of the sons and daughters;
205 Blood: Or, NJB: blood shed in her; RHM: blood-guiltiness; JPS: has rinsed out her infamy. [Isaiah 24:1-6; Ezekiel 24:7] Like His ancient Peoples, in modern times – as well as throughout the Gospel Age – the Christian Church has a historical record of filth and bloodshed.
206 The spirit of judgment: Or, NJB: with the wind of judgment. The Greek LXX uses PNEUMATI.
207 Spirit of complete cleansing: Or, LXX: spirit of burning; JPS: spirit of purging; NJB: wind of burning cleansed. When God bathes or cleanses from guilt the objects of His forgives must pass through judgment and cleansing. Compare Psalm 51:7-11.
IS4:5 It is then that Y^eH^oW^aH will create above the dwelling of Zion 208 – above her holy conventions 209 – a cloud by day with smoke, 210 and the brilliance of a blazing fire by night. 211 For above such glory there will be a sheltering umbrella 212 –
208 Create above the dwelling of Zion: Or, NJB: over those; KJV: every dwelling place; RHM: home; JPS: the whole shrine; LXX: over-shadowing. Once cleansing is complete God shelters His worshippers. Note Revelation 7:15-17.
209 Holy conventions: Or, JPS: meeting place; RHM: her assembly; KJV: assemblies; NJB: those who assemble there. Indicating those cleansed and bathed continue in meetings together.
210 A cloud by day with smoke: Or, LXX: a cloud over-shadowing by day. The language echoes that of Exodus 13:21; Numbers 9:15.
211 Brilliance of a blazing fire by night: Or, LXX: smoke and light by fire burning by night; JPS: smoke with a glow of flaming fire by night; RHM: the shining of a fire-flame by night; NJB: by night the brightness of a flaming fire.
212 For above such glory there will be a sheltering umbrella: Or, NJB: for over all will be the Glory as a canopy; KJV: for upon all the glory shall be a defense; RHM: a canopy; JPS: over all the glory shall hang a canopy.
IS4:6 a lattice for shade 213 from the heat during the day, and also for a refuge and a shelter 214 from storm and rain.
213 A lattice for shade: Or, LXX: a shadow; JPS: pavilion; KJV: tabernacle; NJB: tent. [Psalm 121:5]
214 Shelter: Or, KJV: covert; JPS: a shelter for protection against drenching rain; LXX: hiding-place from inclemency of weather. [Isaiah 25:4; 32:2]

Mark Heber Miller