Isaiah 4 — Dead Sea Scrolls
6 verses • 3 variants • Column IV of 1QIsaiah-a contains Isaiah chapter 4.
Scroll Overview
Summary
Isaiah 4 is a short chapter (6 verses) that moves from the aftermath of judgment to the promise of restoration — the Branch of the LORD and the protective canopy over Zion. 1QIsaiah-a agrees very closely with the MT throughout this chapter.
Notable Variants
No significant variants. The 'Branch of the LORD' (tsemach YHWH) in verse 2 reads identically in both traditions.
Scroll Condition
Excellent condition. Fully legible.
On that day seven women will seize one man, saying, "We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothing — just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!"
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 22
On that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and splendor of the survivors of Israel.
Masoretic (WLC)
צֶמַח
branch
Dead Sea Scroll
צמח
branch
Identical consonantal text. The messianic 'Branch of the LORD' (tsemach YHWH) reads the same in 1QIsaiah-a. This term becomes a key messianic title in later prophets (Jeremiah 23:5, 33:15; Zechariah 3:8, 6:12).
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 23
And the one who remains in Zion and the one who is left in Jerusalem will be called holy — everyone written for life in Jerusalem.
Masoretic (WLC)
הַנּוֹתָר
the remnant
Dead Sea Scroll
הנותר
the remnant
Identical consonantal text.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 25
when the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and rinsed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from her midst by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of burning.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 26
Then the LORD will create over every site on Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and the glow of a blazing fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a canopy.
Masoretic (WLC)
וְעָנָן
and a cloud
Dead Sea Scroll
וענן
and a cloud
Identical consonantal text. The imagery of the protective cloud over Zion matches the MT exactly.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 27
And there will be a shelter for shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and a hiding place from the storm and the rain.
No significant variant. The scroll reads identically to the MT here.
1QIsaᵃ col. IV, line 28