Isaiah 4:3
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:
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
H1961
וְהָיָ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַנִּשְׁאָ֣ר
And it shall come to pass that he that is left
H7604
הַנִּשְׁאָ֣ר
And it shall come to pass that he that is left
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
בְּצִיּ֗וֹן
in Zion
H6726
בְּצִיּ֗וֹן
in Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
3 of 12
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
וְהַנּוֹתָר֙
and he that remaineth
H3498
וְהַנּוֹתָר֙
and he that remaineth
Strong's:
H3498
Word #:
4 of 12
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
in Jerusalem
H3389
בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
in Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
5 of 12
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
קָד֖וֹשׁ
holy
H6918
קָד֖וֹשׁ
holy
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
6 of 12
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַכָּת֥וּב
even every one that is written
H3789
הַכָּת֥וּב
even every one that is written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
10 of 12
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
Cross References
Luke 10:20Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.Revelation 21:27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.Isaiah 60:21Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.Isaiah 52:1Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.Psalms 69:28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.Revelation 3:5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.Revelation 17:8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.Revelation 20:15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.Revelation 13:8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.Hebrews 12:14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Historical Context
Exile served to purify Israel, removing syncretistic elements and leaving a faithful remnant. Post-exilic community, though small, demonstrated renewed covenant commitment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the concept of being 'written among the living' provide assurance of sovereign election?
- What does it mean to be 'left' and 'remaining'—persevering saints versus those who fall away?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Those 'left in Zion' and 'remaining in Jerusalem' are designated 'holy'—set apart by divine election and purification, not inherent merit. The phrase 'written among the living' anticipates the book of life concept (Exodus 32:32; Revelation 20:12), signifying divine determination of salvation. This selective preservation reflects Reformed doctrine of particular redemption: God sovereignly preserves a remnant for Himself, purified through judgment's refining fire.