After almost all the men of the city have been killed or taken captive, there will be many widows without the protection of male family members. Since widowhood was considered a curse, the prophet pictures here a tragic scene in which a number of women compete for a man to look after them. They promise not to be a burden on him. They merely want the honor and the security of being a wife, and thus regain respect and standing in the community.

This first verse of chapter 4 belongs thematically with the last part of chapter 3, so there is no essential break between 3.26 and 4.1. Like Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation, many translations insert a paragraph break here, but this should not be done. Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation also format this verse as prose. New Revised Standard Version and Bible en français courant begin the verse with prose, but the words of the women are in poetic format. Translators may choose the format they consider most appropriate.

And seven women shall take hold of one man: The numbers here are not specific but representative. Seven women means a great number of women, and one man means very few men. However, in translation the numbers should be kept because they add to the poetic style of the text. Even if readers take them literally, they will understand them correctly. The Hebrew verb phrase rendered shall take hold of means the women will grab the man forcefully. The women boldly take the initiative in seeking out men, which was contrary to normal social behavior.

In that day is the general prophetic phrase for some time in the future (see 2.11). Here it refers to the same time period as that of the preceding verses. It may be rendered “at that time” or simply “then.”

We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes means the women will provide their own food and clothing and not be dependent upon the man. Normally, the husband was expected to provide food and clothing for the family (Exo 21.10-11). The picture painted by this scene is one of desperation. The implication of the words of the women is important. If they are not correctly understood, the readers may wonder, for example, why these women would consider wearing anything but their own clothes. Good News Translation is clear with “We can feed and clothe ourselves.”

Only let us be called by your name is literally “just let your name be called over us.” This is a legal expression. If a man’s name was called over a woman, it meant that he possessed her as his wife. It is similar to the cultural tradition in some European countries where the woman takes the family name of the husband. The “calling of the name” was part of confirming a marriage contract and gave the woman protection and identity. The general meaning of the expression is “take us as your wives” or simply “marry us.”

Take away our reproach: It was considered a matter of reproach or shame for a woman to be single or a widow. The women of Jerusalem beg the few remaining men not to leave them in such a position of disgrace. We may say “Don’t leave us in shame” or “Save us from disgrace.” In cultures where being unmarried is not considered a bad or a shameful thing, it will be difficult to render this verse meaningfully. Probably a footnote that explains the biblical culture is the best solution in such cases.

We suggest the following translation examples for this verse:

• At that time seven women will grab hold of a man and beg him to remove their shame. They will say, “We promise to feed ourselves and provide our own clothes. Just let us bear your name.”

• In those days there will be seven women who will grab a man and plead with him, “If we promise to feed ourselves and provide our own clothes, please let us be named as one of your family. Save us from disgrace!”

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Sterk, Jan. A Handbook on Isaiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2011. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .