Messianic · The Branch of the LORD; Zion cleansed
Isaiah 4:2-6
Isaiah · ~700 BC · Status: Future · Confidence: 60%
“In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.”
King James Version · the opening — all 5 verses are below
The 'Branch of the LORD' beautifying the remnant, with Zion cleansed by the Spirit of judgment and burning — read of the Messiah and the purifying Spirit.
Read the whole passage — all 5 verses (KJV)
4:2In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
4:3And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:
4:4When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
4:5And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
4:6And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
Fulfillment References
Isaiah 11:1 Jeremiah 23:5 Zechariah 3:8 Malachi 3:2-3
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalThe Branch is Jesus; the cleansing 'spirit of burning' anticipates the Holy Spirit poured out in fire at Pentecost (Acts 2:3-4), purifying the one God's people.
JewishThe 'Branch' (tzemach) and the purified remnant of Zion in the age to come; read of national restoration and, in some traditions, the Messiah.
CatholicThe Branch is Christ, beautifying the redeemed remnant, the cleansing Spirit prefiguring baptism and Pentecost.
ProtestantThe 'Branch of the LORD' read messianically (with Jer. 23:5; Zech. 3:8); the Spirit of burning purifies God's people.
OrthodoxChrist the Branch glorifying the remnant, the Spirit cleansing the Church.
DispensationalThe Branch-Messiah glorifying the purified remnant of Israel in the kingdom.
AcademicScholars debate whether 'branch of the LORD' here is messianic or refers to the land's fertility / the remnant; the messianic 'Branch' is clearer in Jeremiah 23 and Zechariah 3-6.
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