Isaiah 34:8 kjv
For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
Isaiah 34:8 nkjv
For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion.
Isaiah 34:8 niv
For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion's cause.
Isaiah 34:8 esv
For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.
Isaiah 34:8 nlt
For it is the day of the LORD's revenge,
the year when Edom will be paid back for all it did to Israel.
Isaiah 34 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 34:8 | For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, a year of recompense for the controversy of Zion. | General theme of judgment |
| Ps 94:1 | O LORD, God to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, God to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. | God's vengeful nature |
| Jer 51:6 | Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for it is the time of the LORD's vengeance; he shall render unto her a recompense. | Babylon's judgment |
| Lam 4:22 | The punishment of thine iniquity is accomplished, O daughter of Zion; he will no more carry thee away into captivity: he will visit thine iniquity, O daughter of Edom, he will discover thy sins. | Edom's judgment |
| Mic 5:15 | And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they did not hear. | Judgment on nations |
| Nah 1:2 | God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. | God's vengeance |
| Rev 18:20 | Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. | Heavenly rejoicing in judgment |
| Rev 19:11 | And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon it was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. | Christ's judgment |
| Rom 12:19 | Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. | God's prerogative to avenge |
| Heb 10:30 | For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. | God's role in vengeance |
| Ezek 25:12,14 | Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and received a punishment of God. ... And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD. | Edom's punishment |
| Ps 79:10 | Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed. | Vindication of God |
| Jer 46:28 | Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but will correct thee in measure; yet will I not utterly cut thee off. | Judgment and preservation |
| Joel 3:4 | Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompense? and if ye render me a recompense, I will return it upon your own head speedily and swiftly. | Recompense to nations |
| Deut 32:35 | To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. | Day of calamity |
| Jer 30:13-17 | There is none to plead thy cause, nor to thy behoof, nor healing medicines for thy hurt. All thine enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash with their teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day for which we looked; for this is the day of thine end. For the LORD hath wounded thee, and comforted thee, and will call thee back again. ... Therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured; and all thine adversaries shall go into captivity; and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon them will I give for prey. For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. | Restoration and judgment |
| 2 Pet 2:1-3 | But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. | Judgment on false teachers |
| Amos 3:2 | You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. | God's accountability for chosen people |
| Zeph 1:12-14 | And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil. Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation; they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof. The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. | Day of the LORD for Jerusalem |
| Mal 4:3 | And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. | Final judgment |
Isaiah 34 verses
Isaiah 34 8 Meaning
This verse signifies that a day of reckoning is coming for the nations who have wronged God's people. It declares a year of recompense, a time of divine judgment and repayment for their transgressions against Zion.
Isaiah 34 8 Context
Chapter 34 of Isaiah is a prophecy directed against the nations, specifically focusing on judgment against Edom. This judgment is presented as God's fierce retribution for their hostility towards Israel, particularly during times of Israel's vulnerability. The surrounding verses in chapter 34 depict a terrifying scene of God's wrath poured out upon all the nations, characterized by divine destruction and a desolation that will make the land uninhabitable for humans. The "day of the LORD's vengeance" is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, signifying a period of intense divine judgment and the ultimate vindication of God's people. This specific verse highlights that this judgment is directly linked to the "controversy of Zion," indicating that the offenses of the nations are primarily those committed against Jerusalem and its inhabitants, God's chosen people.
Isaiah 34 8 Word Analysis
"For" (כִּי - ki): A conjunction indicating reason or cause. It introduces the explanation for the impending judgment described in the previous verses.
"it is" (יוֹם - yom): Literally "day." This phrase functions to declare a specific period.
"the day" (יוֹם - yom): "Yom" signifies a day, but in prophetic context, it often refers to a specific era or appointed time of divine action. Here, it emphasizes a definitive moment of intervention.
"of the LORD" (יְהוָה - YHWH): The personal covenantal name of God. It highlights that this day of reckoning is initiated and controlled by Yahweh.
"Lord" (יהוה - YHWH): (Repetition for emphasis and clarity).
"Lord" (יְהוָה - YHWH): The sacred, personal name of God, often translated as LORD in capital letters in English Bibles.
"God" (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): A generic term for God, signifying divine power and authority.
"of Zion" (צִיּוֹן - Tziyyon): Zion refers to Jerusalem, specifically the stronghold of Jerusalem and by extension the people of God dwelling there.
"LORD" (יְהוָה - YHWH): (Repetition for emphasis and clarity).
"of the Lord" (יהוה - YHWH): The personal covenantal name of God.
"of vengeance" (נָקָם - naqam): This Hebrew word means vengeance, retribution, or revenge. It signifies that God will actively bring judgment and recompense.
"and" (וְ - wə): A conjunction connecting "day of vengeance" with "year of recompense."
"a year" (שְׁנַת - shənath): "Shanah" means year. It indicates a defined period, possibly a season or a span of time designated for this act of retribution.
"of recompense" (תְּשׁוּלָה - teshulah): This term signifies reward, recompense, or retribution. It parallels "vengeance," reinforcing the idea of paying back what is due.
"for" (לְ - lə): Preposition indicating the reason or cause for the vengeance and recompense.
"the controversy" (דִּבַּת - dibbath): This word relates to dispute, accusation, or controversy. It points to the case or grievance that God has against the nations regarding their treatment of Zion.
"of Zion" (צִיּוֹן - Tziyyon): As above, referring to Jerusalem and its people, the object of God's care and the reason for the nations' transgressions.
Group Analysis:
- "the day of the LORD's vengeance": This is a powerful prophetic idiom emphasizing God's ultimate intervention and righteous judgment against His enemies and those who oppress His people. It is a time of ultimate justice.
- "a year of recompense for the controversy of Zion": This phrase clarifies the nature and purpose of the judgment. It is a defined period ("year") where God will settle accounts ("recompense") due to the specific offenses and mistreatment inflicted upon His covenant people, Zion.
Isaiah 34 8 Bonus Section
The concept of "the controversy of Zion" points to historical instances where nations mistreated or attacked Jerusalem and its people. This could refer to events like the Assyrian siege, the Babylonian conquest, or Edom's actions during Judah's distress (as specifically mentioned in adjacent verses). The prophetic declaration implies that past wrongs will be addressed in God's timing. The dual mention of "day" and "year" suggests the momentous nature of this divine act—it is both a significant historical moment ("day") and a period of accounting ("year"). The "recompense" is not merely punishment but a settling of accounts, bringing justice to the situation from God's perspective. The theme of divine vengeance is crucial; it's not an emotional outburst but a righteous judicial act. This passage emphasizes that God sees and responds to injustice perpetrated against His people.
Isaiah 34 8 Commentary
Isaiah 34:8 announces the imminent arrival of a day set aside by the LORD for divine retribution. This is not a random act but a planned consequence. The judgment is specifically a "year of recompense," implying a definitive period during which God will settle accounts. The cause is identified as "the controversy of Zion," highlighting the deep offense the nations have committed against God's chosen people, Jerusalem. This verse underscores God's faithfulness to His people and His righteous anger against those who harm them. It foreshadows the "day of the Lord" described throughout scripture, a day of both judgment and salvation for God's covenant people.