Isa 34:5, 63:1-4 | JFB | STEP | 5. sword-- ( ). Or else, knife for sacrifice for God does not here appear as a warrior with His sword, but as one about to sacrifice victims doomed to slaughter [Vitringa]. ( ). bathed-- rather "intoxicated," namely, with anger (so ). "In heaven" implies the place where God's purpose of wrath is formed in antithesis to its "coming down" in the next clause. Idumea-- originally extending from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea; afterwards they obtained possession of the country east of Moab, of which Bozrah was capital. Petra or Selah, called Joktheel ( ), was capital of South Edom (see on ). David subjugated Edom ( , ). Under Jehoram they regained independence ( ). Under Amaziah they were again subdued, and Selah taken ( ). When Judah was captive in Babylon, Edom, in every way, insulted over her fallen mistress, killed many of those Jews whom the Chaldeans had left, and hence was held guilty of fratricide by God (Esau, their ancestor, having been brother to Jacob): this was the cause of the denunciations of the prophets against Edom ( , &c.; ; Eze 25:12-14; 35: ; ; , ; Ob 8, 10, 12-18; Mal ). Nebuchadnezzar humbled Idumea accordingly ( ). of my curse-- that is, doomed to it. to judgment-- that is, to execute it.

‏ Isaiah 34:5

5. sword--(Jr 46:10). Or else, knife for sacrifice for God does not here appear as a warrior with His sword, but as one about to sacrifice victims doomed to slaughter [Vitringa]. (Eze 39:17).

bathed--rather "intoxicated," namely, with anger (so De 32:42). "In heaven" implies the place where God's purpose of wrath is formed in antithesis to its "coming down" in the next clause.

Idumea--originally extending from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea; afterwards they obtained possession of the country east of Moab, of which Bozrah was capital. Petra or Selah, called Joktheel (2Ki 14:7), was capital of South Edom (see on Is 16:1). David subjugated Edom (2Sa 8:13, 14). Under Jehoram they regained independence (2Ch 21:8). Under Amaziah they were again subdued, and Selah taken (2Ki 14:7). When Judah was captive in Babylon, Edom, in every way, insulted over her fallen mistress, killed many of those Jews whom the Chaldeans had left, and hence was held guilty of fratricide by God (Esau, their ancestor, having been brother to Jacob): this was the cause of the denunciations of the prophets against Edom (Is 63:1, &c.; Jr 49:7; Eze 25:12-14; 35:3-15; Joe 3:19; Am 1:11, 12; Ob 8, 10, 12-18; Mal 1:3,4). Nebuchadnezzar humbled Idumea accordingly (Jr 25:15-21).

of my curse--that is, doomed to it.

to judgment--that is, to execute it.

‏ Isaiah 63:1-4

CHAPTER 63 Is 63:1-19. Messiah Coming as the Avenger, in Answer to His People's Prayers.

Messiah, approaching Jerusalem after having avenged His people on His and their enemies, is represented under imagery taken from the destruction of "Edom," the type of the last and most bitter foes of God and His people (see Is 34:5, &c.).

1. Who--the question of the prophet in prophetic vision.

dyed--scarlet with blood (Is 63:2, 3; Re 19:13).

Bozrah--(See on Is 34:6).

travelling--rather, stately; literally, "throwing back the head" [Gesenius].

speak in righteousness--answer of Messiah. I, who have in faithfulness given a promise of deliverance, am now about to fulfil it. Rather, speak of righteousness (Is 45:19; 46:13); salvation being meant as the result of His "righteousness" [Maurer].

save--The same Messiah that destroys the unbeliever saves the believer.

2. The prophet asks why His garments are "dyed" and "red."

winefat--rather, the "wine-press," wherein the grapes were trodden with the feet; the juice would stain the garment of him who trod them (Re 14:19, 20; 19:15). The image was appropriate, as the country round Bozrah abounded in grapes. This final blow inflicted by Messiah and His armies (Re 19:13-15) shall decide His claim to the kingdoms usurped by Satan, and by the "beast," to whom Satan delegates his power. It will be a day of judgment to the hostile Gentiles, as His first coming was a day of judgment to the unbelieving Jews.

3. Reply of Messiah. For the image, see La 1:15. He "treads the wine-press" here not as a sufferer, but as an inflicter of vengeance.

will tread ... shall be ... will stain--rather preterites, "I trod ... trampled ... was sprinkled ... I stained."

blood--literally, "spirited juice" of the grape, pressed out by treading [Gesenius].

4. is--rather, "was." This assigns the reason why He has thus destroyed the foe (Zep 3:8).

my redeemed--My people to be redeemed.

day ... year--here, as in Is 34:8; 61:2, the time of "vengeance" is described as a "day"; that of grace and of "recompense" to the "redeemed," as a "year."