Albert Barnes Commentary Isaiah 4:1

"And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name; take thou away our reproach." — Isaiah 4:1 (ASV)

In that day – This refers to the time of calamity mentioned at the end of the previous chapter. This is a continuation of that prophecy, and there was no reason why these six verses should have been made a separate chapter. That the passage refers to the Messiah is apparent from what has been stated in the note at the commencement of the prophecy (Isaiah 2:1–4), and from the expressions that occur in the chapter itself; see the notes at Isaiah 4:2, Isaiah 4:5–6.

Seven women – The number “seven” is often used to denote a large though indefinite number (Leviticus 26:28; Proverbs 24:16; Zechariah 3:9). It means that the calamity would be so great, and so many men would fall in battle, that many women would, contrary to their natural modesty, become suitors to a single man to obtain him as a husband and protector.

Shall take hold – This means ‘will apply to.’ The expression ‘shall take hold’ denotes the earnestness of their application.

We will eat our own bread ... – We do not ask this in order to be maintained. We will forego what the law (Exodus 21:10) enjoins as the duty of the husband if he has more than one wife.

Only let us be called by thy name – Let us be regarded as thy wives. The wife then, as now, assumed the name of the husband. A remarkably similar expression occurs in Lucan (Book 2, line 342). Marcia there presents a similar request to Cato:

Da tantum nomen inane
Connubii; liceat tumulo scripsisse, Catonis Marcia.

‘Indulge me only with the empty title of wife.
Let there only be inscribed on my tomb, “Marcia, wife of Cato.”’

To take away my reproach – The reproach of being unmarried; compare Genesis 30:23; 1 Samuel 1:6.