Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 63

Verse 1

Who . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. The prophet's question. App-6 .

This: i.e. Messiah in the execution of His vengeance in judgment.

Edom = red. Compare Isaiah 34:5 .

Bozrah = vintage. Compare Isaiah 34:5 .

traveling = bending forward, as in marching.

strength . . . mighty = strength (for endurance). Hebrew. koah. Not referring to His death, which was in weakness.

Verse 2

red = ' adom . Hence "Edom" (Isaiah 63:1 ).

winefat = winepress. Hebrew. gath. Not yekeb, a wine-vat.

Verse 3

winepress = trough. Hebrew. purah.

the people = peoples.

none = not a man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

blood. Literally grape-juice, put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for life-blood. All this is in judgment, not redemption. Compare Revelation 14:20 ; Revelation 19:11-21 .

shall be sprinkled = will spurt.

Verse 4

day . . . year. Compare Isaiah 61:2 .

the year of My redeemed. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:35 ). Compare Isaiah 61:2 .

redeemed = redeemed as by a kinsman (Exodus 6:6 ).

Verse 5

Mine own arm. Compare Isaiah 59:16 .

salvation = victory.

fury = indignation. Some codices, with four early printed editions, read "righteousness". Compare Isaiah 59:18 .

Verse 6

make them drunk in. Some codices, with one early printed edition, and Aramaean, read "brake them in pieces with".

strength = life-blood, as in Isaiah 63:3 .

Verse 7

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

house of Israel. See note on Isaiah 5:7 .

Verse 8

children = sons.

lie = deal falsely.

Verse 9

In all their affliction He was afflicted. Hebrew text reads, "In all their adversity [He was] no adversary". But some codices, with two early printed editions, read as text of Authorized Version.

the Angel of His presence. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:19 ; Exodus 23:20 , Exodus 23:21 ; Exodus 33:14 ). App-92 .

redeemed them. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 15:13 ). App-92 .

bare them. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 19:4 .Deuteronomy 1:31 ; Deuteronomy 32:18 ). Compare Isaiah 46:3 , Isaiah 46:4 .Acts 13:18 . App-92 .

Verse 10

But they rebelled. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 15:24 .Numbers 14:11 , Numbers 14:34 ). App-92 .

holy. See note on Exodus 3:6 .

Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

and He fought = and He Himself fought. Some codices, with three early printed editions, read this "and" in the text.

Verse 11

shepherd. Many codices, with five early printed editions (one Rabbinic, 1517), and Vulgate, read "shepherds". Referring either to Moses, Aaron, and Joshua; or, the plural of Majesty, referring to Jehovah their Shepherd. Some codices, with four early printed editions, read "shepherd" (singular)

put His holy Spirit, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 11:17 ). Compare Exodus 14:31 ; Exodus 32:11 , Exodus 32:12 .Numbers 14:13 , Numbers 14:14 . App-92 .

Verse 12

arm. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 15:16 ). App-92 .

dividing the water. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 14:21 , the same word).

everlasting name. See note on Isaiah 44:7 .

Verse 14

As a beast goeth down = as the cattle go down. Referring to the settlement of Israel in Canaan.

Verse 15

habitation . . . Thy, &c. See note on "courts" (Isaiah 62:9 ).

strength = mighty deeds.

sounding = yearning. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 16

Thou art our Father. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:6 ).

Father. A rare word in this connection. Compare Isaiah 64:8 .

Redeemer. See note on Isaiah 60:16 .

Verse 17

made us = suffered us.

hardened = let us harden.

Return. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 10:36 ). App-92 .

Verse 18

The People of Thy holiness = Thy holy People. Figure of speech Enallage . See note on Exodus 3:5 . Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 7:6 ; Deuteronomy 26:19 ).

Verse 19

We are [Thine]. There is no word for "Thine" in Hebrew text. The Hebrew accent (disjunctive) leaves a solemn hiatus between the two clauses; as though, what Israel had become could not be expressed by words: "We are come to this Thou never barest rule over them"; implying an Ellipsis , to be supplied thus: "We are become [as they]".

they were not called by Thy name = Thy name was not called upon them.