Isa 4:1 | KingComments | STEP | This verse belongs to the previous chapter and continues with the description of the consequences of the Divine judgment on the proud, wicked daughters of Zion. The expression “in that day” (cf. ) refers to “the last days” ( ), the end time, although there will be a pre-fulfillment at the destruction of Jerusalem by actual enemies. It seems that the daughters of Zion became widows because of the destruction of the city (cf. ). There will be such a shortage of men – the ratio in the population between men and women will be one to seven (= many) – that the women will look for a man, which is an unnatural way, because normally the man is looking for a woman. Those who in better times have thought that several men would gain favor with them, will now compete with other women to gain favor with the first man they meet. It is not at all about wanting a man who could take care of them. That is not what they desire, for they will provide for themselves. They will voluntarily release that man from the obligation he has by law to care for his wife ( ). All they ask is to be allowed to bear his name, which would happen if he were to marry her. By marrying, a woman takes her husband’s name – also something that is no longer taken for granted in our time. She only wants him to marry her in order to get rid of the slander of being alone and unmarried ( ). She is driven by pure selfishness.

‏ Isaiah 4:1

Begging of the Daughters of Zion

This verse belongs to the previous chapter and continues with the description of the consequences of the Divine judgment on the proud, wicked daughters of Zion. The expression “in that day” (cf. Isa 4:2) refers to “the last days” (Isa 2:2), the end time, although there will be a pre-fulfillment at the destruction of Jerusalem by actual enemies.

It seems that the daughters of Zion became widows because of the destruction of the city (cf. Isa 3:25). There will be such a shortage of men – the ratio in the population between men and women will be one to seven (= many) – that the women will look for a man, which is an unnatural way, because normally the man is looking for a woman. Those who in better times have thought that several men would gain favor with them, will now compete with other women to gain favor with the first man they meet.

It is not at all about wanting a man who could take care of them. That is not what they desire, for they will provide for themselves. They will voluntarily release that man from the obligation he has by law to care for his wife (Exo 21:10). All they ask is to be allowed to bear his name, which would happen if he were to marry her. By marrying, a woman takes her husband’s name – also something that is no longer taken for granted in our time. She only wants him to marry her in order to get rid of the slander of being alone and unmarried (Isa 54:4). She is driven by pure selfishness.