Isaiah 63 1

Isaiah 63:1 kjv

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

Isaiah 63:1 nkjv

Who is this who comes from Edom, With dyed garments from Bozrah, This One who is glorious in His apparel, Traveling in the greatness of His strength?? "I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save."

Isaiah 63:1 niv

Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save."

Isaiah 63:1 esv

Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save."

Isaiah 63:1 nlt

Who is this who comes from Edom,
from the city of Bozrah,
with his clothing stained red?
Who is this in royal robes,
marching in his great strength?
"It is I, the LORD, announcing your salvation!
It is I, the LORD, who has the power to save!"

Isaiah 63 verses

Isaiah 63 1 Meaning

Isaiah 63:1 presents a dramatic encounter between an observer and a magnificent, battle-stained divine figure arriving from Edom. The figure, identified as God, is a conquering warrior who has executed righteous judgment upon the enemies of His people, signified by the bloodied garments. He asserts His unparalleled strength and unwavering commitment to both divine justice and ultimate salvation. The imagery points to a decisive and powerful act of God, bringing both vengeance upon the wicked and deliverance to His chosen ones.

Isaiah 63 1 Context

Isaiah 63:1 begins a pivotal section of Isaiah (chapters 63-66), often termed the "Little Apocalypse" or "Third Isaiah," focusing on God's final actions of judgment and ultimate salvation. This verse introduces a powerful, mysterious divine warrior after preceding chapters that spoke of Zion's restoration and the Messiah's coming in grace. Historically, Edom was a long-standing, bitter adversary of Israel, representing not merely one nation but a general embodiment of God's enemies. Bozrah, its capital, was a prominent symbol of this animosity and destined for judgment. The original audience, potentially during or after the Babylonian exile, would have keenly felt the need for divine intervention against oppressors and anticipated a powerful deliverance that would vindicate God's people and execute justice on those who wronged them. This passage is a direct polemic against the strength and perceived security of nations hostile to God, asserting divine sovereignty over all.

Isaiah 63 1 Word analysis

• "Who is this who comes from Edom," (מִי־זֶה בָּא מֵאֱדוֹם mi-zeh ba me'edōm): A rhetorical question designed to generate awe and curiosity, emphasizing the unexpected and formidable nature of the approaching figure. "Edom" (אֱדוֹם 'Edōm), meaning "red," is the ancestral land of Esau, brother of Jacob. It often symbolizes the archetypal enemy of God's people due to its historical enmity and spiritual rejection of Israel. The location is significant, denoting a place of pronounced opposition and sin deserving of divine judgment.
• "with dyed garments from Bozrah," (חֲמוּץ בְּגָדִים מִבָּצְרָה ḥămuṣ bĕgāḏîm mibboṣrâ): "Dyed garments" (חֲמוּץ בְּגָדִים ḥămuṣ bĕgāḏîm) suggests crimson or deep red stains, vividly conveying the presence of blood from intense combat or the treading of grapes in a winepress. It evokes images of violent victory. "Bozrah" (בָּצְרָה Boṣrâ) was a chief city of Edom, notorious for its defiance; its name possibly links to the idea of a "grape gathering" (though uncertain etymology), subtly foreshadowing the imagery of the divine winepress of wrath.
• "this one glorious in his apparel," (הָדוּר בִּלְבוּשׁוֹ hāḏūr bilbûšô): Despite the stained clothes, the figure remains "glorious" (הָדוּר hāḏūr), denoting majesty, splendor, and inherent dignity. This contrasts the messy work with the inherent glory of the Divine, signifying that the act of judgment does not diminish, but rather magnifies, His majesty.
• "marching in the greatness of his strength?" (צֹעֶה בְּרֹב כֹּחוֹ ṣō‘eh bĕrov kōḥô): "Marching" (צֹעֶה ṣō‘eh) depicts a purposeful, irresistible advance, while "greatness of his strength" (בְּרֹב כֹּחוֹ bĕrov kōḥô) underscores overwhelming power, signifying a decisive and unchallenged victory.
• "It is I who speak in righteousness," (אֲנִי מְדַבֵּר בִּצְדָקָה ‘ănî mĕdabber biṣĕdāqâ): This is the divine self-identification. The pronoun "I" (אֲנִי ‘ănî) is emphatic, identifying the warrior as Yahweh Himself. His speaking "in righteousness" (בִּצְדָקָה biṣĕdāqâ) indicates that His words and actions, even those of judgment, are morally just, principled, and true to His nature, not arbitrary or vengeful out of malice, but out of holy justice.
• "mighty to save." (רַב לְהוֹשִׁיעַ rav lĕhôshîa‘): "Mighty to save" (רַב לְהוֹשִׁיעַ rav lĕhôshîa‘) signifies ultimate power in deliverance. His capacity for salvation is immense and undeniable. This saving power is extended primarily to His own people, even if achieved through the judgment of their enemies.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah,": This sets the dramatic scene of a solitary, formidable figure returning from a successful military campaign against a specific and symbolic enemy. The imagery instantly communicates triumph through a fierce battle, highlighting both the intensity of the conflict and the enemy's complete defeat.
• "this one glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength?": These phrases describe the majestic appearance and irresistible power of the returning figure, combining images of regal splendor with overwhelming military might. His glory is inherent, shining even through the blood of battle, affirming His divine identity and unparalleled strength.
• "It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.": This direct self-identification reveals the warrior's identity as the Lord God, affirming that His actions are rooted in perfect justice. The concluding declaration, "mighty to save," reveals the underlying redemptive purpose of this awesome display of power, emphasizing that even through judgment, His ultimate goal is salvation for His people.

Isaiah 63 1 Bonus section

The vivid imagery of "dyed garments" and the origin from "Edom" (meaning "red") or "Bozrah" (possibly related to "grape gathering") forms a rich tapestry of literary allusion pointing to the ancient practice of treading grapes, directly connecting this judgment to the biblical metaphor of the "winepress of God's wrath" seen more fully in Revelation. This cosmic battle represents God's ultimate showdown with all evil, not just a historical event with Edom, establishing divine sovereignty and delivering enduring hope for His people. This encounter encapsulates a divine response to profound human suffering, assuring believers of God's zealous advocacy for justice and His unwavering commitment to ultimate redemption through powerful intervention.

Isaiah 63 1 Commentary

Isaiah 63:1 paints a vivid picture of divine, decisive intervention in human history. The "who is this" query underscores the grand, almost startling, appearance of the returning warrior, recognized immediately by His bloody raiment. Coming from Edom, representing the epitome of spiritual and national enmity towards Israel, this figure is undeniably God (as revealed in the latter part of the verse) acting as the divine warrior. His garments, stained red not from a personal wound but from treading enemies as grapes in a winepress (as subsequent verses elaborate), portray God's unreserved and mighty judgment against wickedness. Yet, His majesty is not diminished but accentuated, for He is "glorious in his apparel," moving with irresistible "strength." This is not a barbaric fury, but a righteous, judicial act of a God who "speaks in righteousness" and is inherently "mighty to save" His covenant people. It’s a foundational declaration that God will ultimately vindicate His people and right all wrongs, demonstrating His unparalleled power to achieve both justice and salvation. This Messianic vision foreshadows Christ's return, not as the Suffering Servant, but as the conquering King.