Isa 4:1 | NET2full | STEP | Seven women will grab hold of one man at that time . They will say , “We will provide our own food , we will provide our own clothes ; but let us belong to you

‏ Isaiah 4:1

1 Seven women will grab hold of
one man at that time. ^{▼▼tn Or “in that day” (ASV).} ^{▼▼sn The seven-to-one ratio emphasizes the great disparity that will exist in the population due to the death of so many men in battle.}
They will say, “We will provide ^{▼▼tn Heb “eat” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV); CEV “buy.”} our own food,
we will provide ^{▼▼tn Heb “wear” (so NASB, NRSV); NCV “make.”} ^{▼▼sn In Jewish understanding a husband should provide food and cloth to his wife. These women are so desperate as to be willing to exempt the man from some of his traditional, fundamental duties as a husband.} our own clothes;
but let us belong to you ^{▼▼tn Heb “only let your name be called over us.”} —
take away our shame!” ^{▼▼sn This refers to the humiliation of being unmarried and childless. The women’s words reflect the cultural standards of ancient Israel, where a woman’s primary duties were to be a wife and mother.}