Isaiah 4:5

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Isaiah 4:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jehovah will create over the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory [shall be spread] a covering.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jehovah will create over the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory [shall be spread] a covering.
Isaiah 4:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Isaiah 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And Jehovah will create over the whole habitation of mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory [shall be spread] a covering.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the Lord will create on every dwelling place of Mount Zion, &c.] That is, on every particular church of Christ in Gospel times, and especially in the latter day; which are the dwelling places of Father, Son, and Spirit, and of believers in Christ. The wordf87 used signifies a place well fitted up, and prepared, and established, and settled; and such will be the churches of Christ in the latter day glory; they will be fitly framed together and built up, a habitation for God, through the Spirit; they will be beautified, and made glorious, and will be established upon the top of the mountains, and be tabernacles that shall not be taken down, whose stakes and cords shall not be removed and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“create--The "new creation" needs as much God's creative omnipotence, as the material creation (Co2 4:6; Eph 2:10). So it shall be in the case of the Holy Jerusalem to come (Isa 65:17-18). upon--The pillar of cloud stood over the tabernacle, as symbol of God's favor and presence (Exo 13:21-22; Psa 91:1). Both on individual families ("every dwelling") and on the general sacred "assemblies" (Lev 23:2). The "cloud" became a "fire" by night in order to be seen by the Lord's people. upon all the glory--"upon the glorious whole"; namely, the Lord's people and sanctuary [MAURER]. May it not mean, "Upon whatever the glory (the Shekinah spoken of in the previous clause) shall rest, there shall be a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the Lord will create - The meaning of this verse and the next is, that God would take his people into his holy care and protection. The idea is expressed by images drawn, in this verse, from the protection which he afforded to the Israelites in their journeying from Egypt. The word “create” means here, he will afford, or furnish, such a defense. Upon every dwelling-place ... - Upon all the habitations of his people; that is, they shall be secure, and regarded as under his protection. The word “upon” refers to the fact that the pillar of cloud stood “over” the tabernacle in the wilderness, as a symbol of the divine favor and presence. So his protection should be “on” or “over” the houses…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Create - Will in a marvellous manner produce, as it were by a new creation. A cloud - A pillar of cloud and fire, like that wherewith he directed the Israelites, when they came out of Egypt: whereby he implies, that God would be their protector, and their glory. The glory - Upon all that church and people, which God will make so glorious; upon all holy assemblies of sincere Christians. Isaiah 4:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:5 The references to a canopy of cloud . . . and smoke and flaming fire recall God’s continuous presence and protection during the exodus from Egypt (Exod 13:21-22; 14:21-22).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“upon every: Isa 32:18, Isa 33:20; Psa 87:2, Psa 87:3, Psa 89:7, Psa 111:1; Mat 18:20, Mat 28:20 a cloud: Exo 13:21, Exo 13:22, Exo 14:19, Exo 14:20, Exo 14:24, Exo 40:34-38; Num 9:15-22; Neh 9:12; Psa 78:14; Zac 2:5-10 upon: or, above all the glory: Isa 31:4, Isa 31:5, Isa 37:35, Isa 46:13; Psa 85:9 a defence: Heb. a covering, Exo 26:1, Exo 26:7 Isaiah 4:6”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“"And Jehovah creates over every spot of Mount Zion, and over its festal assemblies, a cloud by day, and smoke, and the shining of flaming fire by night: for over all the glory comes a canopy." Just as Jehovah guided and shielded Israel in the days of the redemption from Egypt in a smoke-cloud by day and a fire-cloud by night, which either moved in front like a pillar, or floated above them as a roof ( Num 14:14, etc.), the perpetuation of His presence at Sinai ( Exo 19:9, Exo 19:16.); so would Jehovah in like manner shield the Israel of the final redemption, which would no longer need the pillar of cloud since its wanderings would be over, but only the cloudy covering; and such a covering…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification