Isaiah 4:1

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהֶחֱזִיקוּ֩
shall take hold
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
#2
שֶׁ֨בַע
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#3
נָשִׁ֜ים
women
a woman
#4
בְּאִ֣ישׁ
man
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#5
אֶחָ֗ד
of one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#6
בַּיּ֤וֹם
And in that day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#7
הַהוּא֙
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#8
לֵאמֹ֔ר
saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#9
לַחְמֵ֣נוּ
our own bread
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
#10
נֹאכֵ֔ל
We will eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#11
וְשִׂמְלָתֵ֖נוּ
our own apparel
a dress, especially a mantle
#12
נִלְבָּ֑שׁ
and wear
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
#13
רַ֗ק
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
#14
יִקָּרֵ֤א
only let us be called
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#15
שִׁמְךָ֙
by thy name
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#16
עָלֵ֔ינוּ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
אֱסֹ֖ף
to take away
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
#18
חֶרְפָּתֵֽנוּ׃
our reproach
contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Isaiah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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