Discovery BoxIsaiah 4:3 
Context4:3 Those remaining in Zion, 1 those left in Jerusalem, 2
will be called “holy,” 3
all in Jerusalem who are destined to live. 4
Isaiah 4:1
Context4:1 Seven women will grab hold of
one man at that time. 5
They will say, “We will provide 6 our own food,
we will provide 7 our own clothes;
but let us belong to you 8 –
take away our shame!” 9
1 tn The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.
2 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
3 tn Or “set apart,” cf. CEV “special.”
4 tn Heb “all who are written down for life in Jerusalem.” A city register is envisioned; everyone whose name appears on the roll will be spared. This group comprises the remnant of the city referred to earlier in the verse.
5 tn Or “in that day” (ASV).
sn The seven to one ratio emphasizes the great disparity that will exist in the population due to the death of so many men in battle.
6 tn Heb “eat” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV); CEV “buy.”
7 tn Heb “wear” (so NASB, NRSV); NCV “make.”
8 tn Heb “only let your name be called over us.” The Hebrew idiom “call the name over” indicates ownership. See 2 Sam 12:28, and BDB 896 s.v. I ָקרָא Niph. 2.d.(4). The language reflects the cultural reality of ancient Israel, where women were legally the property of their husbands.
9 sn This refers to the humiliation of being unmarried and childless. The women’s words reflect the cultural standards of ancient Israel, where a woman’s primary duties were to be a wife and mother.
