I'm interested in peoples understanding and interpretation of Isaiah 4:1
In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, “We will eat our own bread and provide our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!”
This verse seems to flow on Isaiah 3 which talks of a great judgement being handed out on Israel. A literal interpretation would potentially be that through this judgement process many men have been killed and as a result numerous women lay claim to the few men remaining as their Husband. I understand and accept that literal interpretation as making sense and being applicable to this verse.
In reading scripture however often Prophetic messages work at 2 levels. With there being an obvious literal message which makes sense - but it serving as a parable which uses prophetic symbols and imagery to describe something more. When Jesus tells his disciples to beware the yeast of the pharisees - hes clearly not talking about physical bread :)
This verse likewise seems to use several key and well known biblical symbols:
Bread - Like I just mentioned. One of the most frequently used symbols: eg Moses in the desert, Jesus - the bread of life etc
The woman/wife - Also used in Revelation, Book of Hosea, The story of Abraham/Sara etc
Clothing - Often used as a symbol of someones righteousness or sin (Zecharaiah 3, Revelation 7, Exodus 19:10
I'm interested if there are any symbolic / parable interpretations and explanations for this verse ? What does it potentially refer to ? Who are the 7 women ? Is there a specific future event theologians have usually linked Isaiah 4 with or any well known symbolic interpretations of this verse ?
EG: Could the 7 women potentially be the 7 Churches of Revelation for example - the one man is Christ ?