Chapter commentary
Isaiah Chapter 4
1
Isa 4:1-6.
繁體中文
English original
Isa 4:1-6.
that day--the calamitous period described in previous chapter.
seven--indefinite number among the Jews. So many men would be slain, that there would be very many more women than men; for example, seven women, contrary to their natural bashfulness, would sue to (equivalent to "take hold of,"
Isa 3:6)
one man to marry them.
eat . . . own bread--foregoing the privileges, which the law
(Ex 21:10)
gives to wives, when a man has more than one.
reproach--of being unwedded and childless; especially felt among the Jews, who were looking for "the seed of the woman," Jesus Christ, described in
Isa 4:2; Isa 54:1, 4; Lu 1:25.
2
Untitled
繁體中文
2. 與那些遭受報應的人相對照，耶穌基督向「以色列逃脫的人」彰顯祂特有的屬性——美與榮，預表於亞倫的聖衣
(Ex 28:2).
他們的成聖被應許為他們蒙主權之愛「記」於生命冊上的果子
(Isa 4:3);
其途徑是「審判的靈」與「焚燒的靈」
(Isa 4:4).
他們因耶穌基督特別的同在而得「護衛」，也被應許
(Isa 4:5, 6).
branch——耶和華的苗芽。彌賽亞
(Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8; 6:12; Lu 1:78,
Margin). 平行句並不（如 MAURER 所反對的）與此相悖；因為「地所出的果子」對應「苗芽」；祂不是枯枝，而是結果子的枝條
(Isa 27:6; Eze 34:23-27).
祂在出生與受死上是「屬地」的，同時也是「屬主」（Jehovah）的
(Joh 12:24).
祂「苗芽」之名，主要關乎祂從大衛而出——當那家族衰微傾頹之時
(Lu 2:4, 7, 24);
如從朽木中萌發、超越大衛之榮的嫩芽
(Isa 11:1; 53:2; Re 22:16).
excellent——
(Heb 1:4; 8:6).
comely——
(So 5:15, 16; Eze 16:14).
escaped of Israel——蒙揀選的餘民
(Ro 11:5);
（一）從巴比倫歸回；（二）逃過提多治下耶路撒冷的毀滅；（三）將來對耶路撒冷的攻擊，以及「三分之一」的獲救；這些事件彼此類比，如同同心圓
(Zec 12:2-10; 13:8, 9, &c.; 14:2; Eze 39:23-29; Joe 3:1-21).
English original
2. In contrast to those on whom vengeance falls, there is a manifestation of Jesus Christ to the "escaped of Israel" in His characteristic attributes, beauty and glory, typified in Aaron's garments
(Ex 28:2).
Their sanctification is promised as the fruit of their being "written" in the book of life by sovereign love
(Isa 4:3);
the means of it are the "spirit of judgment" and that of "burning"
(Isa 4:4).
Their "defense" by the special presence of Jesus Christ is promised
(Isa 4:5, 6).
branch--the sprout of JEHOVAH. Messiah
(Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8; 6:12; Lu 1:78,
Margin). The parallel clause does not, as MAURER objects, oppose this; for "fruit of the earth" answers to "branch"; He shall not be a dry, but a fruit-bearing branch
(Isa 27:6; Eze 34:23-27).
He is "of the earth" in His birth and death, while He is also "of the Lord" (Jehovah)
(Joh 12:24).
His name, "the Branch," chiefly regards His descent from David, when the family was low and reduced
(Lu 2:4, 7, 24);
a sprout with more than David's glory, springing as from a decayed tree
(Isa 11:1; 53:2; Re 22:16).
excellent--
(Heb 1:4; 8:6).
comely--
(So 5:15, 16; Eze 16:14).
escaped of Israel--the elect remnant
(Ro 11:5);
(1) in the return from Babylon; (2) in the escape from Jerusalem's destruction under Titus; (3) in the still future assault on Jerusalem, and deliverance of "the third part"; events mutually analogous, like concentric circles
(Zec 12:2-10; 13:8, 9, &c.; 14:2; Eze 39:23-29; Joe 3:1-21).
3
Untitled
繁體中文
3. left in Zion——等同於「以色列逃脫的人」
(Isa 4:2).
shall be called——將是
(Isa 9:6).
holy——
(Isa 52:1; 60:21; Re 21:27).
written——本體意義上，記在生命冊上
(Php 4:3; Re 3:5; 17:8).
首先，記在以色列家族與支派的戶籍冊上。
living——未被從冊上「塗抹」，如死人一般；而是作為「以色列逃脫的人」之一而記於其上
(Da 12:1; Eze 13:9).
此處特別所指是以色列的選民，而非一般得救之人
(Joe 3:17).
English original
3. left in Zion--equivalent to the "escaped of Israel"
(Isa 4:2).
shall be called--shall be
(Isa 9:6).
holy--
(Isa 52:1; 60:21; Re 21:27).
written--in the book of life, antitypically
(Php 4:3; Re 3:5; 17:8).
Primarily, in the register kept of Israel's families and tribes.
living--not "blotted out" from the registry, as dead; but written there as among the "escaped of Israel"
(Da 12:1; Eze 13:9).
To the elect of Israel, rather than the saved in general, the special reference is here
(Joe 3:17).
4
Untitled
繁體中文
4. When——即「之後」。
washed——
(Zec 13:1).
filth——道德上的
(Isa 1:21-25).
daughters of Zion——與
Isa 3:16
相同。
purged——藉審判煉淨：毀滅不敬虔之人，糾正並煉淨敬虔之人。
blood——
(Isa 1:15).
spirit——神在宇宙中所行的一切，都是藉著祂的靈，「不經人手」
(Job 34:20;
Ps 104:30).
此處祂被描繪為以審判者的身份運用其大能。
burning——
(Mt 3:11, 12).
同一位聖靈，既以煉淨之火使信徒成聖
(Mal 3:2, 3),
也判不信者於永火之刑
(1Co 3:13-15).
English original
4. When--that is, After.
washed--
(Zec 13:1).
filth--moral
(Isa 1:21-25).
daughters of Zion--same as in
Isa 3:16.
purged--purified by judgments; destroying the ungodly, correcting and refining the godly.
blood--
(Isa 1:15).
spirit--Whatever God does in the universe, He does by His Spirit, "without the hand" of man
(Job 34:20; Ps 104:30).
Here He is represented using His power as Judge.
burning--
(Mt 3:11, 12).
The same Holy Ghost, who sanctifies believers by the fire of affliction
(Mal 3:2, 3),
dooms unbelievers to the fire of perdition
(1Co 3:13-15).
5
Untitled
繁體中文
5. create——「新造」需要神的創造大能，一如物質的創造
(2Co 4:6;
Eph 2:10).
將來的聖耶路撒冷也必如此
(Isa 65:17, 18).
upon——雲柱立於會幕之上，作為神恩寵與同在的記號
(Ex 13:21, 22;
Ps 91:1).
既在個別家族（「每一住處」）之上，也在全體神聖的「聚會」之上
(Le 23:2).
「雲」在夜間變成「火」，為使主的百姓能看見。
upon all the glory——「在整個榮耀之上」；即主的百姓和聖所 [MAURER]。豈不是意為：「凡榮耀（即前句所說的舍金納）所停留之處，那裏必有保障」？祂同在的記號也必確保安全。在紅海邊，以色列對抗埃及人時正是如此
(Ex 14:19, 20).
將來對字面的耶路撒冷也必如此
(Zec 2:5).
對教會——屬靈的「錫安」——也是如此
(Isa 32:18; 33:15-17;
Heb 12:22).
tabernacle——基督的身體
(Joh 1:14).
「道『成了肉身，支搭帳幕』（希臘文作『住』）在我們中間」
(Joh 2:21;
Heb 8:2).
它是「躲避狂風暴雨的避難所」，使人免受神對人的罪所發的烈怒
(Isa 25:4).
東方的炎熱和暴風雨極為猛烈；因此旅行者的裝備中，輕便的帳棚是必需品。將來神的烈怒也必如此，而「以色列逃脫的人」必因耶穌基督得蒙蔭庇
(Isa 26:20, 21; 32:2).
covert——對應「保障」
(Isa 4:5).
Isa 4:5
中希伯來文的保障作「遮蓋」；約櫃的蓋或施恩座因其希臘文字根caphar而得名；即挽回祭；因大祭司在贖罪日一年一次灑血於其上，便遮蓋了百姓，使他們預表性地免受烈怒。耶穌基督是真正的施恩座，舍金納停在其上，是挽回祭或贖罪祭，其下律法被保存——正如字面上在約櫃之內——而人則被遮蓋免受風暴。蒙贖的以色列也必因與祂聯合成為神榮耀的帳幕，不像曠野中的帳幕那樣被拆毀
(Isa 38:20).
English original
5. create--The "new creation" needs as much God's creative omnipotence, as the material creation
(2Co 4:6; Eph 2:10).
So it shall be in the case of the Holy Jerusalem to come
(Isa 65:17, 18).
upon--The pillar of cloud stood over the tabernacle, as symbol of God's favor and presence
(Ex 13:21, 22; Ps 91:1).
Both on individual families ("every dwelling") and on the general sacred "assemblies"
(Le 23:2).
The "cloud" became a "fire" by night in order to be seen by the Lord's people.
upon all the glory--"upon the glorious whole"; namely, the Lord's people and sanctuary [MAURER]. May it not mean, "Upon whatever the glory (the Shekinah spoken of in the previous clause) shall rest, there shall be a defense." The symbol of His presence shall ensure also safety. So it was to Israel against the Egyptians at the Red Sea
(Ex 14:19, 20).
So it shall be to literal Jerusalem hereafter
(Zec 2:5).
Also to the Church, the spiritual "Zion"
(Isa 32:18; 33:15-17; Heb 12:22).
tabernacle--Christ's body
(Joh 1:14).
"The word 'tabernacled' (Greek for 'dwelt') among us"
(Joh 2:21; Heb 8:2).
It is a "shadow from the heat" and "refuge from the storm" of divine wrath against man's sins
(Isa 25:4).
Heat and storms are violent in the East; so that a portable tent is a needful part of a traveller's outfit. Such shall be God's wrath hereafter, from which the "escaped of Israel" shall be sheltered by Jesus Christ
(Isa 26:20, 21; 32:2).
covert--answering to "defense"
(Isa 4:5).
The Hebrew for defense in
Isa 4:5,
is "covering"; the lid of the ark or mercy seat was named from the same Hebrew word, caphar; the propitiatory; for it, being sprinkled with blood by the high priest once a year, on the day of atonement, covered the people typically from wrath. Jesus Christ is the true Mercy Seat, on whom the Shekinah rested, the propitiatory, or atonement, beneath whom the law is kept, as it was literally within the ark, and man is covered from the storm. The redeemed Israel shall also be, by union with Him, a tabernacle for God's glory, which, unlike that in the wilderness, shall not be taken down
(Isa 38:20).
Isa 4:1-6.
that day——指前章所描述的災禍時期。
seven——猶太人觀念中的不確定數目。將有如此多的男子被殺，以致婦女數目遠超男子；例如七個婦女違反她們天然的羞怯，將求（等同於「拉住」，
Isa 3:6)
一個男子娶她們為妻。
eat . . . own bread——放棄了律法
(Ex 21:10)
在男子有一個以上妻子時賦予妻子們的權利。
reproach——未婚無子的羞辱；這在猶太人中尤為深重，因他們正期盼著「女人的後裔」——耶穌基督，正如
Isa 4:2; Isa 54:1, 4; Lu 1:25.
所述。