The Great Isaiah Scroll, the best preserved of the biblical scrolls found at Qumran from the second century BC, contains all the verses in this chapter.
The original text was written in Hebrew language. This chapter is the shortest in the Book of Isaiah, with only 6 verses. American theologian Albert Barnes argued that "there was no reason why these six verses should have been made a separate chapter" from Isaiah 3.[2]
The parashah sections listed here are based on the Aleppo Codex.[6] Isaiah 4 is a part of the Prophecies about Judah and Israel (Isaiah 1-12). {P}: open parashah; {S}: closed parashah.
[{S} 3:18-26] 4:1 {S} 4:2-6 {P}
Jerusalem's future (3:25–4:1)
This section, which starting from 3:25, states without any imagery how the city in actuality is bereft.[7]
Verse 1
And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying,
"We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel;
The New King James Version treats verse 1 as a continuation of chapter 3 and reformation theologian John Calvin argued that "this verse certainly ought not to have been separated from the preceding".[9] Whereas in Isaiah 3:6 the men "take hold of" (tapas) a man to get a ruler, in this verse the women "take hold of" (chazaq) a man to get a husband.[7] The women supplying their own food and apparel is a reversal of the marriage ordering in Exodus 21:10.[7]
Zion's renewal (4:2–6)
Verse 2
In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious;
And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing
Coggins, R (2007). "22. Isaiah". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 433–586. ISBN978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.