What does Isaiah chapter 4 verse 4 mean?

Answer 1

Another answer from our community:

The books of The Bible weren't written "chapter and verse." So, the passages that surround the verse in question should be taken in context.

In other words, chapters 3 and 5 on either side of chapter 4 lend to the understanding of what's being revealed. As well as other prophecies, "here a little, and there a little," (Isa.28:13).

Isaiah is a prophet... so, the passage in question is a prophecy.

The overview is the final days of Jerusalem before Jesus Christ returns. In the Bible, Jerusalem is the global focal point from which God looks out on the world. Note the beginning of chapter 3:

"See now, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah (the Jews) both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water..." (Isa.3:1 NIV).

The world is about to witness a second "Holocaust" of the Jews (and others) as the Muslim world surrounding tiny Israel arms itself with nuclear and biological weaponry.

America, who has always been Israel's "champion" in supporting and supplying her, is both self-destructing and her present government "regime" is increasingly slowing to comply favorably to Israel's basic survival needs.

Another of God's prophets, Zechariah, says this about Jerusalem just before Jesus returns:

"...behold, the Day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity..." (Zech.14:1-2).

This very day, the nations speak of "dividing Jerusalem." Some believe this speaks of past prophetic fulfillments... but the prophet sets the time frame with:

"...His feet shall stand IN THAT DAY upon the Mount of Olives... and the Lord SHALL BE KING OVER ALL THE EARTH: in THAT DAY shall there be one Lord, and His name One..." (verses 4-9).

Isaiah 4:4 speaks hopefully of "that day" when Jesus returns and brings to an end man's rule on earth... and to the misery Godless men bring upon themselves through their rejection and disobedience to their Creator's laws to love and respect God... and one another.

To a Godless, satanic world, it will truly appear to be "the end of the world." Jesus reveals to us that it would indeed be the end of all life on earth... if He doesn't shorten those days... and return to stop man from finishing it off.

"...except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened..." (Matt.24:22).

He says: "...it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, SHALL BE CALLED HOLY, even every one that is WRITTEN AMONG THE LIVING in Jerusalem: when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion..." (Isa.4:3-4).

Who is "written among the living?" Aren't they those "whose names are written in the Book of Life?" Beginning with the saints of God who shall be gathered into the clouds with Christ at His coming... and rule the Kingdom of God jointly with Christ at His coming?

"...I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest... whose names are in the Book of Life." (Philipp.4:3 NIV).

When Jesus returns and occupies Jerusalem with His Kingdom... His saints shall be called "Holy." The Holy Sons of God, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the Children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and JOINT-HEIRS with Christ..." (Rom.8:16-17).

"...he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron..." (Rev.2:26-27).

"...and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee..." (Zech.14:5).

"...the saints of the Most High shall take the Kingdom, and possess the Kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." (Dan.7:18)

Isaiah 4:4 is one more prophecy of the "gospel" (good news) of the coming Kingdom of God when our Creator will begin to fulfill His promise of "global salvation"... beginning at God's focal point: Jerusalem - the future headquarters of God's Kingdom.

"In the last days the mountain of the Lord's Temple will be established as chief among the mountains... many peoples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob (then, resurrected and ruling in God's Kingdom with Christ)... He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples..." (Isa.2:4 NIV).

"The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him - the Spirit of Wisdom and of Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and of Power, the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the Lord... He will not judge by what He sees with His eyes, or decide by what He hears with His ears; but with righteousness He will judge the needy, with justice He will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth; with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked..." (Isa.11:2-4 NIV).

"The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; He will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a Spirit of Judgment and a Spirit of Fire." (Isa.4:4 NIV)

Isaiah 4:4 is a hopefilled prophecy of the fulfillment of the "gospel" (good news) of the Kingdom of God.

"...Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world." (Matt.25:34 NIV)

It will begin in Jerusalem.

Answer 2

Isaiah 4:4 can only be understood when read in conjunction with chapter 3. The early chapters of the Book of Isaiah were written only a few decades after the fall of Israel in 722 BCE, and Judah was dealing with a huge influx of refugees from the north.

In Chapter 3, Isaiah complains about the decline in values and respect for the elders of Jerusalem. The women rule over the children, who 'oppress' their fathers. The women make themselves look beautiful and walk around with wanton eyes. He then says that the Lord will punish the women and take away their ornaments.

In 4:1, the women will become so grateful for attention from the men they had spurned that as many as seven will take hold of one man, promising not to be a financial burden. Judah will be a wonderful place for the survivors from Israel. Verse 4:4 explains that the Lord will wash away the sins of the women and judge Jerusalem.