Isaiahchapter 63

19 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 333 cross-references outward and receives 503 — heaviest partner: Isaiah.

Chapter summary

A question opens the chapter: "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah?" The answer comes from a solitary warrior, glorious in apparel and mighty to save, who has trodden the winepress alone — none of the peoples with him — his garments stained with the lifeblood of those he trampled in wrath, for the day of vengeance and the year of his redeemed had come; his own arm brought salvation when none helped. The scene then turns to remembrance: the prophet recounts Jehovah's lovingkindnesses to the house of Israel, the angel of his presence who saved and carried them, their rebellion that grieved his holy Spirit, and the days of Moses when the waters were divided. The chapter closes in lament — "thou, O Jehovah, art our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is thy name" — while adversaries tread down the sanctuary.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Prophecy · Isaiah — see the Isaiah overview for the book's full setting.

1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winevat?

3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yea, I trod them in mine anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my raiment.

4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my wrath, it upheld me.

6 And I trod down the peoples in mine anger, and made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.

7 I will make mention of the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah, and the praises of Jehovah, according to all that Jehovah hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

8 For he said, Surely, they are my people, children that will not deal falsely: so he was their Saviour.

9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.