Isaiah 4:1
And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights a drastic societal imbalance where survival itself becomes the primary concern, leading women to forgo all claims of financial support from a husband – even the basic right to be provided for – just to escape the deep shame of being unmarried. This isn't just about finding a partner; it's a desperate plea to simply be counted among the married and, by extension, considered viable and socially acceptable in a world where men have become devastatingly scarce.
This verse follows a series of prophecies detailing judgment and societal collapse due to the people's sin, particularly focusing on the pride and corruption of the elite and the women of Jerusalem. After describing the devastation and scarcity that will result from God's wrath, Isaiah shifts to the desperate circumstances of the survivors, illustrating the profound imbalance of men to women in this dire future.
Imagine a world where the normal balance of life is shattered, and desperation drives people to extreme measures. This verse paints a stark picture of such a time.
Isaiah 4:1 vividly describes a society ravaged by war and its devastating consequences. The immense loss of life, particularly among men, creates a severe imbalance.
The 'Seven Women to One Man' Scenario
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In ancient cultures, being unmarried or childless carried a heavy social burden. This verse reveals just how deeply this 'reproach' affected women.
The women's plea, 'only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach,' goes to the heart of their desperation. It’s not just about finding a provider; it's about escaping a profound social shame.
The 'Reproach' Explained
Understand the original words
ba-yom ha-hu · Hebrew Noun phrase
A phrase referring to a future time of divine intervention, judgment, or restoration, often associated with the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom.
cherpah · Hebrew Noun
A source of shame, disgrace, or public dishonor, often resulting from barrenness or social isolation, which in Israelite culture carried significant spiritual and communal weight.
This verse vividly illustrates the devastation of war and societal collapse, a dire consequence of Judah's sin and the resulting demographic catastrophe. The stark image of women desperately seeking marriage simply for legitimacy and to avoid reproach highlights the extreme scarcity of men and the breakdown of normal social structures.
740 BC
King Uzziah Dies
The long and prosperous reign of King Uzziah ends. His death marks a turning point, leaving Judah in a vulnerable state, especially with the later accession of the less capable King Ahaz.
c. 735 BC
King Ahaz Ascends Throne
Ahaz, a young and religiously corrupt king, begins his reign. His weak leadership and superstitious practices embolden Judah's enemies and create national instability, setting the stage for prophetic judgment.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
Judah faces invasion from Syria and Israel. King Ahaz's panicked reliance on Assyria, rather than on God, leads to further political and spiritual decline, intensifying the sense of impending doom.
c. 730 BC— this verse
Isaiah Delivers Prophecies of Judgment
Isaiah, deeply troubled by the moral and political corruption, delivers sharp judgments against Judah and Jerusalem, including prophecies of war, famine, and societal collapse.
c. 701 BC
Assyrian Invasion by Sennacherib
The powerful Assyrian army under Sennacherib invades Judah, capturing many cities and besieging Jerusalem. While Jerusalem is miraculously spared, the devastation is immense.
This passage describes a similar dire situation where the scarcity of men leads to women taking unusual measures, highlighting the societal breakdown that can occur.
Jeremiah 15:10This verse expresses a profound personal sorrow and reproach, echoing the 'reproach' mentioned in Isaiah that the women in Isaiah 4:1 are desperate to escape.
Luke 1:25This passage speaks of a woman who feared she would 'bear no children,' revealing the deep cultural understanding of childlessness as a reproach that this verse in Isaiah addresses directly.
Ezekiel 16:46This verse compares Jerusalem to its sisters, highlighting that its sins made it appear 'more corrupt' than them, which resonates with the societal decay and judgment depicted in Isaiah 3 and 4.
barnesIsaiah 4:1: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."
In that day - The time of calamity referred to in the close of the previous chapter. This is a continuation of that prophecy, and there was no reason why these six verses should have been made a separate chapter. That the passage refers to the Messiah, is apparent from what has been stated in the note at…
pooleIsaiah 4:1: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach."
In the extremity of evils, Christ’s glorious kingdom should appear to those who are left alive, Isaiah 4:1,2 . They shall be holy, Isaiah 4:3 ; purged, Isaiah 4:4 . A glory and defence upon them, Isaiah 4:5 . A sanctuary from evils, Isaiah 4:6 . In that day, of which he hath hitherto been speaking, Isaiah…
The verse highlights a drastic societal imbalance where survival itself becomes the primary concern, leading women to forgo all claims of financial support from a husband – even the basic right to be provided for – just to escape the deep shame of being unmarried. This isn't just about finding a partner; it's a desperate plea to simply be counted among the married and, by extension, considered viable and socially acceptable in a world where men have become devastatingly scarce.
This verse follows a series of prophecies detailing judgment and societal collapse due to the people's sin, particularly focusing on the pride and corruption of the elite and the women of Jerusalem. After describing the devastation and scarcity that will result from God's wrath, Isaiah shifts to the desperate circumstances of the survivors, illustrating the profound imbalance of men to women in this dire future.
This verse follows a series of prophecies detailing judgment and societal collapse due to the people's sin, particularly focusing on the pride and corruption of the elite and the women of Jerusalem. After describing the devastation and scarcity that will result from God's wrath, Isaiah shifts to the desperate circumstances of the survivors, illustrating the profound imbalance of men to women in this dire future.
"And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.”" — The verse highlights a drastic societal imbalance where survival itself becomes the primary concern, leading women to forgo all claims of financial support from a husband – even the basic right to be…
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