Isaiah 4:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, this command held a deeper spiritual significance; the Almighty declared that spiritual Israel, representing the mind that perceives God, would neither remain barren nor childless, but would instead be abundantly fruitful like a rich and fertile land.

The Jews, however, interpreted this literally due to their earthly mindset, lacking spiritual insight. Thus, he declares that there will be such a deficiency of men in the land, stemming from the devastation caused by warfare, that seven—symbolizing many—wives will unite with one husband, imploring, "We will eat our bread and wear our garments, that your name may be called upon us; take away our reproach." Observe their dread of the disgrace of childlessness, and their aversion to being labeled as barren or childless. They do not petition for typical desires, nor for what is traditionally sought by women from their husbands; instead, they affirm they already possess enough, but plead solely for the alleviation of their shame.

Consider the profundity of this idea. Were the man invited wealthy, the women would not claim, "We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes." Yet, recognizing the destitution that those who have survived the conflict face, they seek only one thing—to be mothers. This outlines the historical context. Conversely, some interpret these words with a spiritual lens; however, the accuracy of their interpretation raises questions, for if done correctly, they would merit commendation. They suggest that the seven wives symbolize seven spirits, with the single husband representing Christ. However, it may be more apt to assert that the seven wives signify the many souls who, through faith in Christ, embrace Him as their sustenance and seek Him as the garment of salvation while desiring spiritual fruit.

Even the blessed David proclaimed of Christ, the Savior of all, "He hath put unfruitfulness in the house, a mother of children who rejoices" (Psalm 112:9). It is affirmed that even a barren woman will bear seven, symbolizing abundance, as divine virtues are diverse and manifest in various forms through the loving souls dedicated to God.

As if gazing at something faintly discernible, where much remains hidden, the concept of the “seven wives” comes to mind. The word "seven" frequently denotes both our present existence and Israel in its earthly form. The cycle of creation is comprised of seven days, thus the age that will come after our current condition is referred to in Scripture as 'osmem,' and there are psalms designated as 'of osmem' (Ps. 6 and 11), which speaks of the age that will succeed this one. In various contexts, the term 'seven' also represents 'the Jews' (Rom. 2:28) along with their civic structure. It is noted, “Thou shalt give the portion of the seven and the othme” (Ecclesiastes 11:2). Both the Old and New Testaments are intended to provide evidence of their divine origin and the harmony between them. Therefore, the “seven wives” signify the Old Testament. “They shall be united to one husband,” meaning to the Lord, who is not among many, but rather the one true God.

When they proclaim, “We shall consume our sustenance,” they signify a commitment to their measure of existence, for they are “a shadow of things to come” (Col. 2:17) and “the figures of the heavenly” (Heb. 8:5). Let one name of Christ be designated for the Old Testament, so that the stigma of futility may be lifted. Moreover, when the law that bound the Synagogue of Israel ceased, it gained freedom and the right to marry whomever it desired without being deemed an adulteress. Thus, approaching the Bridegroom-Word, and in a sense embracing Him in love, she can proclaim, “Thy name shall be called upon us.”

Others suggest that the “seven wives” symbolize seven spirits, which the same Prophet will later enumerate as resting upon Him who will arise from the root of Jesse: “the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and piety, the spirit of the fear of God” (Isaiah 11:1-3). These spirits, since “all have gone astray” and “they are excluded” (Psalm 13:3), lacking companionship to rest upon with love, receive the man of the Lord and fulfill the prophetic writings. The “spirit of knowledge and godliness” remains idle during times devoid of “understanding” and a “seeking of God” (Psalm 13:2), while the virtues are derided as if no one clings to them, leaving them akin to widows bereft of a soul to accept them. As no one can captivate their beauty yet remains solitary, this might seem to grieve the virtues. However, He who embodies all virtues in their utmost perfection dispels their shame. Observing that even those who do not know God pursue wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, and piety, they beseech that the name of Christ be invoked upon these virtues.

The numbers seven and ten hold particular significance for the Jews, especially in light of the Sabbath and the Ten Commandments, and thus these figures are frequently utilized. The Hebrew word “saba” can carry multiple meanings, which allows for the interpretation of seven to signify not just seven, but a multitude. This understanding is literal. However, concerning the coming of the Lord and Savior, the seven women symbolize the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. As the prophet states, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit, and the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:1-3).

These gifts will seek out Jesus, whom they long for, as they find no one else upon whom to anchor their eternal hope. Therefore, John the Baptist proclaims in the Gospel, “The one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit’” (John 1:30). In Zechariah, we also find a reference to a single stone containing seven eyes, a golden lampstand with seven lamps, and seven bowls for oil, with two olive trees standing beside it (Zechariah 3:9, Zechariah 4:2-3). It requires no further elaboration to affirm that the grace of the Holy Spirit encompasses all things. Yet, since this grace has often been misused among humanity, with few living according to the requirements of the Holy Spirit’s gifts, they yearn for the name of Jesus to be invoked over them, hoping that what the law does not fulfill may be realized through the gospel.

They request that their disgrace be removed, signifying a desire to be cleansed from their transgressions; for shame is a remnant of past sins, washed away in baptism, leading individuals to be recognized as Christians, which translates to: Let us be identified by Your name. Thus, within these seven churches, which form part of the one holy Church, the faithful reside, united in the shared gift of faith and divine selection.