Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Cairensis (895), the Petersburg Codex of the Prophets (916), Aleppo Codex (10th century), Codex Leningradensis (1008).^[3]

Fragments containing parts of this chapter were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls (3rd century BC or later):^[4]

• 1QIsa^a: complete
• 4QIsa^a (4Q55): extant: verses 5-6

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^S; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^A; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; ${\displaystyle {\mathfrak {G}}}$^Q; 6th century).^[5]

Verse 1

And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying,

"We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel;

Only let us be called by your name,

To take away our reproach."^[8]

The New King James Version treats verse 1 as a continuation of chapter 3 and reformation theologian John Calvin argued that "this verse certainly ought not to have been separated from the preceding".^[9] Whereas in Isaiah 3:6 the men "take hold of" (tapas) a man to get a ruler, in this verse the women "take hold of" (chazaq) a man to get a husband.^[7] The women supplying their own food and apparel is a reversal of the marriage ordering in Exodus 21:10.^[7]

Verse 2

In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious;

And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing

For those of Israel who have escaped.^[10]

The text in the Septuagint is different:

In that day, God shall shine in counsel with glory upon the earth, to exalt, and to glorify the remnant of Israel.^[2]