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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Isaiah 4:1

It was threatened (Isa. 3:25) that the mighty men should fall by the sword in war, and it was threatened as a punishment to the women that affected gaiety and a loose sort of conversation. Now here we have the effect and consequence of that great slaughter of men, 1. That though Providence has so wisely ordered that, communibus annis?on an average of years, there is nearly an equal number of males and females born into the world, yet, through the devastations made by war, there should scarcely... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Isaiah 4:1

And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man ,.... Not in the days of Ahaz, when Pekah, son of Remaliah, slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand men in one day, 2 Chronicles 28:6 as Kimchi thinks; for though there was then such a destruction of men, yet at the same time two hundred thousand women, with sons and daughters, were carried captive by the Israelites, 2 Chronicles 28:8 but in the days of Vespasian and Titus, and in the time of their wars with the Jews; in which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 4:1

And seven women - The division of the chapters has interrupted the prophet's discourse, and broken it off almost in the midst of the sentence. "The numbers slain in battle shall be so great, that seven women shall be left to one man." The prophet has described the greatness of this distress by images and adjuncts the most expressive and forcible. The young women, contrary to their natural modesty, shall become suitors to the men: they will take hold of them, and use the most pressing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 4:1

Seven women shall take hold of one man. This verse has been well called a "companion picture to Isaiah 3:6 , Isaiah 3:7 ." As there, in the evil time of God's judgment, the despairing men are represented as" taking hold" of a respectable man to make him their judge, so now the despairing women "take hold" of such a man and request him to allow them all to be regarded as his wives. There has been such a destruction—men are become so scarce—that no otherwise can women escape the shame and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 4:1

Depopulation and its doctrine. This passage belongs to the two concluding verses of the last chapter; but as it is the most striking of the three, we may allow it to be our starting-point in gleaning the thoughts which the whole scene suggests. These are— I. EXTREME DESOLATION WROUGHT IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF . GOD . The land is stripped by war of its male population ( Isaiah 3:25 ); those who gather at the gates bewail the humiliation under which they smart, the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Isaiah 4:1

Immortality in a continued race. "Take thou away our reproach." This verse has been much misconceived. Its figures are Eastern, and their interpretation depends on our knowledge of the condition and sentiments of Eastern women. It is simply a forcible description of the calamities brought upon a nation by continued war. The men were to fall by the sword; and the slaughter was to be so great that the number of women should far exceed the number of men who should survive. Now, to be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 4:1

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 the commencement of the prophecy Isaiah 2:1-4, and from the expressions which occur in the chapter itself; see the notes at Isaiah 4:2, Isaiah 4:5-6.Seven women - The number “seven” is used... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Isaiah 4:1

Isaiah 4:1. In that day Of which he has hitherto been speaking, chap. 2. and 3., and still continues to speak; in that calamitous time; seven women shall take hold on one man “The war and captivity shall make such a prodigious scarcity in the male sex, that seven women shall be glad to apply to a single man for protection, preservation, and marriage: and shall importune him, though contrary to the natural modesty of their sex, to consent to take away their reproach For not barrenness... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Isaiah 4:1

Ungodly society (3:1-4:1)Isaiah now gives a picture of the end of a society characterized by human self-sufficiency and self-centredness. The government collapses, resulting in a shortage of basic necessities such as food and water. Judah had previously depended for leadership on a variety of people, good and bad - statesmen, soldiers, judges, prophets, magicians - but now no one can be found to lead the country (3:1-3). Power falls into the hands of immature youths, and lawlessness results.... read more

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