Isaiah 34 2

Isaiah 34:2 kjv

For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

Isaiah 34:2 nkjv

For the indignation of the LORD is against all nations, And His fury against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to the slaughter.

Isaiah 34:2 niv

The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies. He will totally destroy them, he will give them over to slaughter.

Isaiah 34:2 esv

For the LORD is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host; he has devoted them to destruction, has given them over for slaughter.

Isaiah 34:2 nlt

For the LORD is enraged against the nations.
His fury is against all their armies.
He will completely destroy them,
dooming them to slaughter.

Isaiah 34 verses

Isaiah 34 2 Meaning

The LORD has decreed that all the host of heaven will be dissolved. The heavens themselves will roll up like a scroll. All their armies, signifying heavenly bodies or even angelic hosts, will fall like withered leaves from a vine or a fig tree. This is a declaration of divine judgment and the utter destruction of the created order that has been venerated by nations instead of God.

Isaiah 34 2 Context

Isaiah chapter 34 stands as a powerful prophecy of judgment against all the nations, specifically detailing a fierce retribution against Edom. This chapter is set in the context of the ongoing prophetic message to Israel, assuring them of God's ultimate justice against their oppressors. Verse 2, in particular, announces a cosmic and catastrophic event that signifies the totality of God's wrath and the eventual undoing of creation as it is known. This judgment is not just on human enemies but extends to the very celestial bodies, suggesting a comprehensive and divinely ordained overturning of the existing order. The prophecy emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including the heavenly host.

Isaiah 34 2 Word Analysis

• כִּי (ki): "For" or "because." It introduces the reason or confirmation for the preceding statement, setting the stage for a divinely enacted decree.
• חָרָה (ḥārâ): "Burn," "be kindled," "be inflamed." This verb denotes intense divine anger. The Niphal conjugation here signifies a passive or resulting state of being intensely heated or provoked by the Lord.
• לַֽיהוָה (lǝyǝhwâ): "To/For the LORD." This clearly attributes the impending judgment to the Lord, emphasizing divine authorship.
• צְבָאוֹת (ṣǝḇā’ōṯ): "Hosts," "armies." In the Old Testament, this frequently refers to the armies of Israel, but more significantly, it denotes the celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars) and angelic beings that constitute God's heavenly host or army. The NIV translates it as "host of heaven."
• וּגְבוּרוֹת (ūġǝḇūrōṯ): "And strength," "powers," "armies." This amplifies the concept of "hosts," suggesting all powers, both visible (celestial) and invisible (angelic), are included. The waw (ו) signifies "and," connecting it with the preceding term.
• כַּכְּתָב (kǝkǝṯāḇ): "As the writing" or "as it is written." This implies the action is predetermined and recorded in God's divine plan or heavenly records.
• נָמוֹג (nāmōḡ): "To melt," "dissolve," "vanish." This verb indicates a complete dissolution or disappearance, emphasizing the complete eradication of these heavenly powers.
• וְרוֹאֶה (wǝrō’ēh): "And sees" or "and beholds." The sense here, however, is that this action will be witnessed or enacted. Some interpret it in conjunction with "dissolved" to mean they will disappear from sight, like something that is "seen" no more.
• בְּסֵפֶר (bǝsēp̄ǝr): "In a scroll," "in a book." This connects with the concept of divine records.
• כְּפִסָה (kǝp̄isâ): This word is somewhat challenging. While it could relate to "a roll" or "a scroll" (a variant or cognate), some scholars connect it to a measuring instrument or even "destruction." The most common interpretation links it to the act of rolling up. The sense is that the heavens will be rolled up like a scroll.
• יִפֹּל (yippōl): "Fall." A straightforward statement of collapse and descent.
• וּבִגְבֹבֹת (ūḇiġǝḇōḇōṯ): "And like withered leaves," "and like shriveled fruit." This comparison highlights fragility and the inevitable decay and separation from the vine or tree, suggesting these celestial powers will be cast off and perish.
• מִגֶּפֶן (miġġǝp̄en): "From the vine." The source of the withered leaves.
• וְכַנֹּפֶלֶת (wǝḵan·nō·p̄e·leṯ): "And like the falling one." This could refer to a fruit that falls from the fig tree, or a general sense of falling.
• מִתְּאֵנָה (miṯ·tə’ē·nâ): "From the fig tree." The source of the fallen fruit.

Isaiah 34 2 Bonus Section

The phrase "host of heaven" is used in other biblical contexts. For example, in Deuteronomy 4:19, it is used to warn against worshipping the sun, moon, and stars, which the surrounding nations did. Isaiah's use of this term in chapter 34 carries this polemical force, indicating that these celestial bodies are not gods but instruments that will be dissolved when the true God unleashes His wrath. The complete "rolling up" of the heavens, like a scroll that has served its purpose, echoes future descriptions of the end times found in the New Testament (Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:25, Luke 21:25, Revelation 6:13-14), showing a consistent theme of God's ultimate sovereign action over the cosmos. The analogy to withered leaves and falling figs vividly portrays their fate as the inevitable consequence of sin and rebellion against the divine.

Isaiah 34 2 Commentary

This verse paints a picture of cosmic upheaval and divine judgment. The "host of heaven" (sun, moon, stars, and angelic powers) are not to be worshipped but are subject to God's sovereign power and decree. Their "dissolution" and "falling" signify that even the most imposing celestial objects and spiritual entities are not eternal in their current state, especially when God chooses to bring judgment. The imagery of rolling up a scroll implies an undoing or retracting of creation, returning it to a state of un-creation or preparation for a new order. The simile of withered leaves and falling fruit emphasizes their transient nature and the completeness of their demise. This passage underscores the incomparable power of the Lord God, who commands not only earthly armies but also the celestial realm. It serves as a stern warning against idolatry and a testament to God's ultimate authority.