14:1

The numbers killed in battle shall be so great that there will be seven women for each surviving man.

Reproach = the stigma of being unmarried and childless.

Verses 2-6 Those who escape the judgements of God are to be cleansed.

14:2

The branch of the Lord = those who have escaped the destruction spoken of.God will bless the righteous. The earth will be renewed, and will be productive, prosperous and beautiful.John Calvin saw in this verse a promise that a ‘New Church shall arise’ created by Jesus Christ himself.

14:3

He that is left in Zion – could refer to those who were not taken into captivity in Babylon, those who would come back from Babylon or those who will remain at the Second Coming

14:4

The prophet in this verse states the benefits of “affliction” in purifying the people of God. 

The filth – their pride, vanity, haughtiness; and perhaps to the idolatry and general sins of the people. 

The blood of Jerusalem – It is possible that the murder of infants in sacrifice to Moloch may be in the prophet’s mind. 

In this verse the word for spirit literally means ‘blast’.

By the spirit of burning – fire is used symbolically as a symbol of both punishment and purification.

President Ezra Taft Benson: “We must cleanse first the inner vessel, beginning first with ourselves, then with our families, and finally with the Church.”

14.5

God will take his people into his holy care and protection. The cloud and smoke refer to the exodus when the Israelites were protected and guided by a cloud of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night.

The word for “dwelling-place” is almost invariably used for the tabernacle or temple. The assemblies are the solemn assemblies in the temple. Can also refer to our homes and our wards and stakes.

All the glory shall be for a defence – the presence of God shall rest like a canopy, protecting the temple and the people. 

14.6

God will provide a place of shelter, a hiding-place from the storm.