Isaiah – Chapter 4

Old Testament • 6 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 4 of Isaiah begins: "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…" Across its 6 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and God feeding His people. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1And 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, take away our reproach.

2In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel.

3And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall be left in Sion, and that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, every one that is written in life in Jerusalem.

4If the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall wash away the blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.

5And the Lord will create upon every place of mount Sion, and where he is called upon, a cloud by day, and a smoke and the brightness of a flaming fire in the night: for over all the glory shall be a protection.

6And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the whirlwind, and from rain.

Important Verses in Isaiah 4

“In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel.”

Isaiah 4:2

“And the Lord will create upon every place of mount Sion, and where he is called upon, a cloud by day, and a smoke and the brightness of a flaming fire in the night: for over all the glory shall be a protection.”

Isaiah 4:5

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Isaiah was written with judah in crisis, the exiles in Babylon, and all who await the Messiah in view. Chapter 4 of 66 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 6 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel:…" It concludes: "And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the…" The wider setting of Isaiah is this: Isaiah prophesied in Jerusalem during the Assyrian crisis, calling kings to trust God rather than alliances. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Isaiah around Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Who Wrote It

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples

When It Was Written

Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC)

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter presents teaching, action, or revelation within the broader account of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope. A pivotal line is verse 2: "In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped…" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

Catholic exegesis reads Isaiah 4 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Isaiah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ, especially the Suffering Servant (CIC 601). St. Leo the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1604).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • ✓The Holy Spirit is the giver of life who animates creation, the prophets, and the Church.

Reflection for Today

In Isaiah Chapter 4, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of judgment, comfort, and messianic hope.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Isaiah Chapter 4 supports that call by drawing attention to the moral law as path to freedom within the wider message that God's salvation reaches to the ends of the earth.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 133).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Isaiah Chapter 4 about?

Isaiah 4 contains 6 verses. It opens with "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel:…" and closes with "And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles and poetry.

What is a key verse in Isaiah 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Isaiah and when?

The prophet Isaiah of Jerusalem; chapters 40-66 continue his message through inspired disciples. Isaiah's ministry about 740-700 BC; the book's later chapters address the exile and return (6th century BC).

Related Chapters

Exodus 16Shares people and themes with this chapterLeviticus 7Shares people and themes with this chapterNumbers 11Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Prayer Before Communion🙏Spiritual Communion

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