Texts in Conversation
Isaiah 4 presents a hopeful scene of survival and restored land for those left in Jerusalem. The Aramaic translation in Targum Jonathan reshapes this by identifying the source of renewed honor with the messianic figure called the “branch,” connecting the restoration to those who obey the Torah.
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Isaiah 4:2
Hebrew Bible
1 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—take away our shame!” 2 At that time the crops given by the Lord will bring admiration and honor; the produce of the land will be a source of pride and delight to those who remain in Israel. 3 Those remaining in Zion, those left in Jerusalem, will be called “holy,” all in Jerusalem who are destined to live.
Date: 7th-5th Centuries B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Jonathan Isaiah 4:2
Targum
1 In that day, seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, ‘We will eat our own food and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our disgrace.’ 2 In that day, the Messiah of the LORD shall be a source of joy and glory, and those who uphold the law will be a point of pride and praise among the survivors of Israel. 3 It shall come to pass that those who remain in Zion and who have upheld the law will be established in Jerusalem; they will be called holy, every one recorded for eternal life shall see the consolations of Jerusalem.
Date: 200-300 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The vindication which balances the foregoing reference to retribution is far more specific in the Targum than it is in the Masoretic text. “The Messiah” (derived from “branch” in the Hebrew text, compare Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12 for the messianic associations of the term) appears as the focus of the “pride” and “praise” effected by “the doers of the law” (verses 2-3). These shall enjoy, on their return to Zion, “the consolations of Jerusalem,” even “eternal life” (verse 3). (The last phrase corresponds to the well-known Johannine expression.) But even this positive imagery involves the removal of the violence which now prevails in Jerusalem by a word of command (verse 4). After this final purification, the seal of God’s “glory” will rest on the “sanctuary,” now again “the place of the house of the Shekhinah,” and more so than even was promised (verse 5). The sanctuary “cloud” is the source and emblem of the security of “Jerusalem” (verse 6) ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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