This chapter continues the message begun in ch. 2.
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- Verse 1 concludes a section of Isaiah's message which deals with sin and judgment.
In this section of the message, "in that day" refers to the day of judgment (ie., during the Tribulation, as foreshadowed by the Babylonian captivity). cp. Isa 2:11,17,20; 3:7,18,25
Verse 1 is also transitional, between the period of judgment and the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom (v.2-6). Fewer men than women would survive the conflicts pertaining to the historic captivites (ch.3) and the future Time of Jacob's Trouble (ch.2) which would precede the Messianic Kingdom (v.3; Isa 13:12).
seven women shall take hold of one man...- These are women in desperation,
due to the destruction of their nation, and their loss of everything, including their husbands. cp. 3:25,26
we will eat our own bread... take away our reproach.- The man to whom they cling
is himself in a desperate situation. He can hardly support one wife, let alone several (though in OT times, under ordinary circumstances, it would be his responsibility, Ex 21:10). This verse emphasizes the message of Isa 2:22: It is much better to trust in God, than in man.
I.A.2.c. The Branch in His future Kingdom (4:2-6)
2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth [shall be] excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
3 And 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:
4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory [shall be] a defence.
6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
in that day - ie., "The Day of the Lord" which includes
the judgments of the Tribulation period, followed by, the establishment of the Messiah's Kingdom, when He will reign over all the earth from Jerusalem, for a thousand years. Mat 25:31; Rev 20:4
the Branch - This name for the Messiah is used in several ways [adapted from ScofRB]:
The "man whose name is the Branch" (Zech 6:12,13).
As the Son of man, He is the "last Adam" who restores what Adam lost through sin (cp. 1Cor 15:45-47). Here is the one Man in whom you may safely trust. In contrast to the man of v.1, the love, power, wealth and sufficiency of this Man is revealed in v.4-6.
he that is escaped... he that remaineth... among the living in Jerusalem...-
During the Tribulation, the world's population will be decimated due to devastating catastrophes. Likewise, a large percentage of Israel's population will not survive (Zech 13:8,9; 14:1-3). Those who are still alive, when Christ establishes His Kingdom, will enter into the blessings of His reign of righteousness.
when the LORD... shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem...-
This city is guilty of the blood of prophets, righteous men, and especially of the blood of her Messiah.
But the city and her people will be cleansed of all sin, in 'that day' when they recognize and receive Him (Zech 12:10; 13:1).
upon every dwelling place... a cloud... and the shining... the glory...-
The glory of the LORD's presence, which rested on the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex 13:21,22; 40:34,35), will fill the Millennial Temple (Eze 43:1-5) and rest on every home in His Kingdom, for all will be holy unto the Lord. Zech 14:20,21
upon all the glory shall be a defence {HB=chuppah, canopy, chamber, divine protection}.-
or, 'the glory over all shall be a bridal canopy.' cp. 'chuppah' in Psa 19:5 (chamber), Joel 2:16 (closet).