Bible Commentaries
Isaiah 34

Introduction

Isaiah 34:0

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

NASB	NKJV	NRSV	TEV	NJB
God's Wrath Against Nations	Judgment on the Nations	The Terrible End of God's Enemies	God Will Punish His Enemies	The Sentence on Edom
Isaiah 34:1-15(1-15)	Isaiah 34:1-4(1-4)	Isaiah 34:1-17(1-4)	Isaiah 34:1-4	Isaiah 34:1-17(1-4)
	Isaiah 34:5-7(5-7)	(5-7)	Isaiah 34:5-8	(5-8)
	Isaiah 34:8-15(8-12)	(8-17)
			Isaiah 34:9-15	(9-11)
				(12-17)
	(13-15)
Isaiah 34:16-17(16a-17)	Isaiah 34:16-17(16-17)		Isaiah 34:16-17

READING CYCLE THREE (see “Guide to Good Bible Reading”)

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects (reading cycle #3). Compareyour subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph

2. Second paragraph

3. Third paragraph

4. Etc.

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS

A. Isaiah 34:0 and 35 are very similar to Isa. 24-27. Both of these are combinations of judgment and blessing sections which are conclusions to a much longer literary unit.

1. Isaiah 34:0 speaks of universal judgment in graphic terms.

2. Isaiah 35:0 speaks of universal restoration in beautiful, idealistic terms.

B. Because there is a double space between chapter 33 and chapter 34 in the Dead Sea Scrolls copy of Isaiah, it is possible that this literary unit (chapters 34-35 and 38-39) should go with 40-66 (as far as literary setting). Chapter 35 is a discussion of the new age, the days of restoration. They describe what YHWH wanted to do with mankind before the Fall of Genesis 3:0 and the disobedience of Abraham's seed.

Verses 1-15

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isaiah 34:1-15 1Draw near, O nations, to hear; and listen, O peoples! Let the earth and all it contains hear, and the world and all that springs from it. 2For the LORD'S indignation is against all the nations, And His wrath against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to slaughter. 3So their slain will be thrown out, And their corpses will give off their stench, And the mountains will be drenched with their blood. 4And all the host of heaven will wear away, And the sky will be rolled up like a scroll; All their hosts will also wither away As a leaf withers from the vine, Or as one withers from the fig tree. 5For My sword is satiated in heaven, Behold it shall descend for judgment upon Edom And upon the people whom I have devoted to destruction. 6The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, It is sated with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, With the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah And a great slaughter in the land of Edom. 7Wild oxen will also fall with them And young bulls with strong ones; Thus their land will be soaked with blood, And their dust become greasy with fat. 8For the LORD has a day of vengeance, A year of recompense for the cause of Zion. 9Its streams will be turned into pitch, And its loose earth into brimstone, And its land will become burning pitch. 10It will not be quenched night or day; Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation it will be desolate; None will pass through it forever and ever. 11But pelican and hedgehog will possess it, And owl and raven will dwell in it; And He will stretch over it the line of desolation And the plumb line of emptiness. 12Its nobles - there is no one there Whom they may proclaim king - And all its princes will be nothing. 13Thorns will come up in its fortified towers, Nettles and thistles in its fortified cities; It will also be a haunt of jackals And an abode of ostriches. 14The desert creatures will meet with the wolves, The hairy goat also will cry to its kind; Yes, the night monster will settle there And will find herself a resting place. 15The tree snake will make its nest and lay eggs there, And it will hatch and gather them under its protection. Yes, the hawks will be gathered there, Every one with its kind.

Isaiah 34:1 There are several commands in this verse.

1. draw near, BDB 897 I, KB 1132, Qal IMPERATIVE

2. listen, BDB 904, KB 1151, Hiphil IMPERATIVE

3. hear, BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal JUSSIVE

The Sovereign of the universe is addressing His creation and announcing its judgment.

1. “O nations,” BDB 156, cf. Isaiah 34:2; Isaiah 43:9

2. O peoples, BDB 522, cf. Isaiah 17:12; Isaiah 43:9

3. the earth, BDB 75, cf. Isaiah 37:16, Isaiah 37:20; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:18; Micah 1:2

4. all it contains, BDB 571, cf. Isaiah 6:3

5. the world, BDB 385, cf. Isaiah 13:11; Isaiah 24:4

6. all that springs from it, BDB 481 CONSTRUCT BDB 425

Obviously this refers to the known world of Isaiah's day, but the language is universal.

Isaiah 34:2 “For the LORD'S indignation is against all the nations. . .He has utterly destroyed them” The idea of “utterly destroyed” (BDB 355 I, KB 353, Hiphil PERFECT) refers to the concept of “holy war.” In Joshua this concept in relation to Jericho is translated “under the ban” (i.e., dedicated to YHWH for destruction, cf. Joshua 6:17, Joshua 6:18 [thrice]; Isaiah 7:1 [twice], 12 [twice], 13 [twice], 15).

Isaiah 34:3 This verse expands the thought of Isaiah 34:2, with graphic metaphors of warfare.

1. their slain thrown out, BDB 1020, KB 1527, Hophal IMPERFECT

2. their corpses will give off (lit. “go up”) their stench, BDB 748, KB 828, Qal IMPERFECT, cf. Amos 4:10

3. the mountains will be drenched (lit. “dissolve”) with their blood, BDB 587, KB 606, Niphal PERFECT

This reflects a battle scene where the bodies of the dead have remained for an extended period of time. In the ANE improper burial was a horror and disgrace and might affect one's afterlife. It represented a total defeat, physically and spiritually.

Isaiah 34:4 This hyperbolic language relating to the sun and moon cycles of nature is a recurrent theme in the Bible.

1. Isaiah 13:13; Isaiah 34:4; Isaiah 51:6

2. Ezekiel 32:7, Ezekiel 32:8

3. Joel 2:31

4. Matthew 24:29

5. 2 Peter 3:10

6. Revelation 6:12-14; Revelation 20:11

The phrase “host of heaven” can refer to

1. astral deities (sun, moon, stars, planets, comets, etc.) usually associated with Babylon

2. the angelic army (cf. Isaiah 24:21-22; Joshua 5:14-15, based on Deuteronomy 32:8 in the LXX and illustrated in Daniel 10:0)

In this context it refers to the objects of light in the sky. These objects are affected and thrown into disarray by the approach of their creator! These physical objects, often viewed as deities, are subject to YHWH!

▣ “rolled up like a scroll” This imagery is used by John in Revelation 6:14. The sky in the ANE was thought to be (1) tightly stretched skin over the earth like a bowl (cf. Isaiah 40:22) or (2) a set up tent (cf. Psalms 104:2). The old order will be replaced by the new (cf. Revelation 21:1).

NASB, NRSV“wither” NKJV, TEV“fall”

This VERB (BDB 615, KB 663) occurs three times in this verse.

1. Qal IMPERFECT

2. Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT

3. Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE

It also occurs in the parallel literary unit of Isaiah 24-27 (cf. Isaiah 24:4 [twice]). Agriculture also shakes at the coming of the creator! We could say heaven and earth both fall apart at the approach of the Creator/Judge because they, too, have been affected by mankind's sin (cf. Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:19-22).

Isaiah 34:5 “for judgment upon Edom” Edom is singled out for judgment in this literary unit just as Moab was singled out in Isaiah 25:10-12. Here Edom (like Moab earlier) is symbolic of all the arrogant nations who rebel against God.

Isaiah 34:6-7 These verses use the metaphor of sacrifice (cf. BDB 830, f, cf. Jeremiah 50:27; Jeremiah 51:40; Ezekiel 39:17-20) to describe YHWH's judgment

1. the blood of lambs and goats, Isaiah 34:6

2. the fat of the kidneys of rams, Isaiah 34:6

3. young bulls, Isaiah 34:7

Not only are domestic animals going to be sacrificed, but also wild oxen (BDB 910).

The imagery of YHWH's sword is also found in Deuteronomy 32:41-42 and Ezekiel 21:28-32.

Isaiah 34:6

NASB“is sated with fat” NKJV“made overflowing with fatness” NRSV, REB, LXX“is gorged with fat” NJB“is greasy with fat”

This VERB (BDB 206, KB 234, Hothpael PERFECT) is found only here in this rare stem. It denotes a reflexive concept, “YHWH's sword has fattened itself.” The Pual IMPERFECT of the same VERB is found in Isaiah 34:7, “became greasy with fat.” Both speak of a huge number of sacrificial victims slain (metaphor for the dead of the enemies' army). The fat of the lower organs was that part of the animal placed on the altar.

Isaiah 34:8 We as modern interpreters must remember the essence of Hebrew poetry is

1. its abbreviated form

2. its sound plays

3. its parallelism

Westerners tend to be Greek-thinking, logical literalists! However, this is ancient eastern poetic literature. See G. B. Caird, The Language and Imagery of the Bible, chapter 5, “Hebrew Idiom and Hebrew Thought,” pp. 107-117. This is also true of Genesis 1-2. See John L. Walton, The Lost World of Genesis 1:0.

This verse is a good example, “day,” line 1 is parallel to “year,” line 2. This is not meant to be a temporal, historical comment, but the recognition that a time of judgment and accountability to God is coming! How long it will last is not an issue.

Isaiah 34:9 “pitch. . .brimstone. . .burning pitch” These (BDB 278, 172, 278/128) are allusions to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19:24. Also, see the significant parallel of Jeremiah 49:17-18. Sodom and Gomorrah are in the northern area of Edom (i.e., southern end of the Dead Sea).

Isaiah 34:10 This is hyperbolic language which denotes a complete destruction that lasts into the indefinite future (cf. Isaiah 1:31; Isaiah 13:20; Isaiah 66:24).

There are two terms for “forever” used.

1. line 2, עולם (BDB 761, see Special Topic: Forever ['olam])

2. line 4, נצח (BDB 664, cf. 2 Samuel 2:26; Isaiah 13:20; Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 28:28; Isaiah 33:20; Isaiah 57:16)

The phrase “its smoke shall go up forever” is used in Isaiah 34:1 and 19:3. It seems probable that (1) “Moab” in Isaiah 25:10-12; (2) Edom in this context; and (3) “Babylon” in Revelation all stand for “human society organized and functioning apart from God or even in rebellion against God.”

For a good discussion of the biblical uses of “forever” see D. Brent Sandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks, pp. 98-101.

Isaiah 34:11-15 There are many animals (mostly birds) mentioned in this section. All of them are unclean according to Leviticus 11:0. These same unclean animals are seen in the ruins of the city of Babylon (cf. Isaiah 13:19-22). There are two possible interpretations for this: (1) these ruins are symbolic of fallen human efforts judged and destroyed by God so that nothing but the animals lived there or (2) these cities are now inhabited by the demonic (cf. Matthew 12:43). Modern translations such as the NEB have shown clear archaeological evidence that these animals may refer to the demonic (cf. particularly Isaiah 34:14).

1. NASB “hairy goat”

NKJV “wild goat”

NRSV “goat-demons”

TEV “demons”

NJB “satyr”

REB”he-goats”

This term (BDB 972 III) refers to

a. idols (cf. 2 Chronicles 11:15)

b. demons (cf. Leviticus 17:7)

c. wild animals (cf. Isaiah 13:21)

2. NASB, TEV “night monster”

NKJV “night creature”

NRSV, NJB “Lilith”

REB”nightjar”

This term (BDB 535) in later Judaism became the name for a female night tempter. The origin of the term and concept may be the three night demons of Akkadian mythology (KB 528). The Peshitta identifies it as a “screech owl.” The night with all its “nature-sounds” was terrifying to ancient people.

SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DEMONIC (UNCLEAN SPIRITS)

Isaiah 34:11 The terms translated “desolation” (BDB 1062, cf. Isaiah 24:10) and “emptiness” (BDB 96) are used in Genesis 1:2 to describe the initial chaos of the planet. Edom (i.e., all rebellious nations) will be reduced to original void and chaos(i.e., Isaiah 13:9-11; Jeremiah 4:23-26).

Verses 16-17

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Isaiah 34:16-17 16Seek from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these will be missing; None will lack its mate. For His mouth has commanded, And His Spirit has gathered them. 17He has cast the lot for them, And His hand has divided it to them by line. They shall possess it forever; From generation to generation they will dwell in it.

Isaiah 34:16 “Seek from the book of the Lord, and read” Except for Isaiah 34:1, there are no IMPERATIVES in this chapter before this verse. YHWH's calling them to approach and to listen in Isaiah 34:1 (two IMPERATIVES) is matched by the two IMPERATIVES which close the chapter (a common Semitic literary technique).

1. seek, BDB 205, KB 233, Qal IMPERATIVE

2. read, BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal IMPERATIVE

The nations have abrogated the dominion given to mankind in Genesis 2:0, so the animals are divinely allotted the land!

There have been many opinions about this book (BDB 706). Some see it as the judgment scroll (cf. Isaiah 29:11, Isaiah 29:12; Isaiah 30:8). Others see it as an allusion to the two books mentioned in Daniel 7:10; Daniel 12:1 and Revelation 20:4-15, which are metaphorical for the memory of God.

1. “the book of life”

a. Exodus 32:32

b. Psalms 69:28

c. Isaiah 4:3

d. Daniel 7:10; Daniel 12:1

e. Luke 10:20

f. Philippians 4:3

g. Hebrews 12:23

h. Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:12, Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21:27

2. the book of deeds/remembrances

a. Psalms 56:8; Psalms 139:16

b. Isaiah 65:6

c. Daniel 7:10

d. Malachi 3:16

e. Revelation 20:12-13

▣ “Not one of these will be missing;

None will lack its mate.

For His mouth has commanded” Here we have two metaphors that refer to the power of God's word. The first is a military metaphor, while the second is a domestic one. When God speaks, it can be counted on (cf. Isaiah 24:3; Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 55:10-11).

▣ “His Spirit has gathered them” See the notes at Isaiah 11:2, and SPECIAL TOPIC: Personhood of the Spirit.

God gathers the animals/demons listed in Isaiah 34:11-15.

Isaiah 34:17 This is an allusion to the dividing of the land by lot (i.e., Urim and Thummim) in Joshua 12-19. It is an archaic way of asserting that the covenant is renewed and permanent!