Isaiah 4

Further threatening of miseries that should befall the Jews: Especially that few men should be left alive, v.1. comfort to the faithful that should be left, namely, that they should be eased, purged, and defended by the Messiah that was to come, 2,&c.

1. And in that day [To wit, after the afore-mentioned calamities, whereof among others there is a notable example, 2 Chron.28.6,8. Others. Join this verse to the former Chapter] seven women [That is, many women] shall take hold of one man [That is, shall woe one man, or seek to be married to him. Hence may be gathered, that but few men should be left alive. See above chap.3.25.] saying, We will eat our (own) bread, and we will be clothed with our (own) apparel, [The meaning is, whereas men are wont to maintain their wives, we will earn our own bread, and our own apparel, thou shalt not need to take care for us, we will take care for our own lively-hood] onely let us be called by thy name, [Hebr. Let thy name be called upon us, as Genes.48.16. The meaning is; let us onely have the name, that we are thy wives] take away our reproach. [To wit, that reproach, that we should live and die, without children. See Gen.30.23. and Luke 1:25. Hebr. Snatch, or, gather our reproach. See Psal.26.on vers.9.]

2. In that day shall the Branch of the LORD be for ornament, and for glory, [In that day, &c. To wit, after the above-mentioned calamities: Or, after those things shall be fulfilled, which the Lord threatened. This is added here for the comfort of the people. See above chap.1.vers.26. (the Branch of the LORD) To wit, Jesus Christ. Compare Isai.11.1. Jerem.23.5. and 33.15. Zach.3.8. and 6.12. with the annotate. (shall be for ornament, and for glory) That is, it shall bring ornament, or glory] and the fruit of the earth [that is, Christ, who shall be made man, and be born of the virgin Mary here on earth, when the stock of Isai, or to David, shall be cut down to the very root, Isai.11.1.] for excellency, and for adorning to them that shall escape in Israel, [Or, for eminency, or, for highness. The Prophet fore-telleth here, that Christ shall not onely be beautiful and glorious in and for himself; but also for his Church, whom he shall make partaker of his heavenly beauty and glory, after that Israel should be fallen into oppression and contempt. See the book of the Canticles speaking in divers places of the glory and beauty of the Spouse. (to them that shall escape in Israel) Hebr. To the escaping of Israel; that is, to them that should escape the afore-mentioned judgement]

3. And it shall come to pass, that he that remaineth in Zion, and be that is left in Jerusalem, shall be called Holy: [Hebr. Holy shall be said unto him. Compare below chap.5.20. That is, he shall be counted and esteemed Holy before God by reason of the merits of Christ] everyone that is written [To wit, by God] unto life at Jerusalem. [To wit, unto eternal life, in the book of life; for here is spoken of Gods elect. See Act.13.48. Gal.4.26. Heb.12.22. Oth. Everyone that is written unto life, shall be at Jerusalem; to wit, in the Spiritual Jerusalem, or Congregation of Believers. See this phrase, Exod.32.32. Phil.4.3. See the annotate. Psal.69.29.]

4. When the LORD shall have washed away the dung [Or, filth, silthiness. Hebr. Issue, or, going forth; it signifieth all manner of filth or excrement that goeth from a man, as Prov.30.12. But here is spoken of the filth of sin] of the Daughters of Zion, [that is, of the inhabitants of Jerusalem] and shall have driven away [or, shall have purged, washed away, dried off] the blood-guiltiness’s of Jerusalem, [that is, of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Heb. The bloods of Jerusalem. Understand here the manifold blood-sheds, that were committed in Jerusalem, and the authors thereof: and understand further under this term or notion all the sins and iniquities of the people. See Psal.51.16.] from the midst thereof, [Tow it, of the City of Jerusalem] by the Spirit of the judgement, [By the spirit, that is zealous to punish the wicked, and to cleanse and purge the elect unto salvation] and by the Spirit of burning, or, of heat, or , of taking away.]

5. And the LORD shall create upon all (or every) dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies [That is, upon all the Churches and Congregations of believers. The Prophet useth in this and the following verse many Rhetorical, or borrowed phrases] a cloud by day, and a smoak, [that is, a cloud as black, or as dark, as smoak. See Exod.20.21.] and the shining of a flaming fire by night, [The meaning is, that God will defend and protect the godly, as he did the Israelites in former time, when they came forth out of Egypt, and marched through the wilderness. See Exod.13.21. and 14.19.] for upon all that is glorious, [To wit, in the fight of God: that is, upon all the Godly, that are made glorious by the fellowship and communion which they have with God] shall be a defence.

6. And there shall be an hut for a shadow [That is, to make a shadowing-place. The Prophet intimated in these words, that the LORD will be unto his children, as an hut and shadowing-place] by day against the heat, and for a refuge, and for an hiding against the flood, [Or, overflowing stream] and against the rain. [That is, calamities, judgements, and plagues.]