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Isaiah 34

BSB·17 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Come nearקִרְב֤וּqir·ḇū — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study →, O nationsגוֹיִם֙ḡō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →, to listenלִשְׁמֹ֔עַliš·mō·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →; pay attentionהַקְשִׁ֑יבוּhaq·šî·ḇū — To listen attentively; to give heedH7181 — Full Word Study →, O peoplesוּלְאֻמִּ֖יםū·lə·’um·mîm — A people or nation; ethnic or political communityH3816 — Full Word Study →. Let the earthהָאָ֙רֶץ֙hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → hearתִּשְׁמַ֤עtiš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →, and all that fills itוּמְלֹאָ֔הּū·mə·lō·’āh — Fullness, abundance, or that which fillsH4393 — Full Word Study →, the worldתֵּבֵ֖לtê·ḇêl — The inhabited earth; the worldH8398 — Full Word Study → and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → that springs from itצֶאֱצָאֶֽיהָ׃ṣe·’ĕ·ṣā·’e·hā — Offspring, progeny, descendantsH6631 — Full Word Study →. 2The LORDלַֽיהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is angryקֶ֤צֶףqe·ṣep̄ — Rage, wrath, or fierce angerH7110 — Full Word Study → withעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the nationsהַגּוֹיִ֔םhag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → and furiousוְחֵמָ֖הwə·ḥê·māh — Intense rage, burning wrath, divine angerH2534 — Full Word Study → with all their armiesצְבָאָ֑םṣə·ḇā·’ām — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →. He will devote them to destructionהֶחֱרִימָ֖םhe·ḥĕ·rî·mām — to devote to destruction; to consecrate by destructionH2763 — Full Word Study →; He will give them overנְתָנָ֥םnə·ṯā·nām — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → to slaughterלַטָּֽבַח׃laṭ·ṭā·ḇaḥ — slaughter, butchering of animals for meat or sacrificeH2874 — Full Word Study →. 3Their slainוְחַלְלֵיהֶ֣םwə·ḥal·lê·hem — to pierce through; to kill or slayH2491 — Full Word Study → will be left unburiedיֻשְׁלָ֔כוּyuš·lā·ḵū — to throw, cast, or hurlH7993 — Full Word Study →, and the stenchבָאְשָׁ֑םḇā·’ə·šām — Stench, foul odor, stinkH889 — Full Word Study → of their corpsesוּפִגְרֵיהֶ֖םū·p̄iḡ·rê·hem — A lifeless body; corpse or carcassH6297 — Full Word Study → will riseיַעֲלֶ֣הya·‘ă·leh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study →; the mountainsהָרִ֖יםhā·rîm — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study → will flowוְנָמַ֥סּוּwə·nā·mas·sū — To melt, dissolve, or lose courageH4549 — Full Word Study → with their bloodמִדָּמָֽם׃mid·dā·mām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →. 4Allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the starsצְבָ֣אṣə·ḇā — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → of heavenהַשָּׁמַ֔יִםhaš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study → will be dissolvedוְנָמַ֙קּוּ֙wə·nā·maq·qū — To rot, decay, or waste awayH4743 — Full Word Study →. The skiesהַשָּׁמָ֑יִםhaš·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study → will be rolled upוְנָגֹ֥לּוּwə·nā·ḡōl·lū — to roll, turn over, or commitH1556 — Full Word Study → like a scrollכַסֵּ֖פֶרḵas·sê·p̄er — A written document, scroll, or bookH5612 — Full Word Study →, and all their starsצְבָאָ֣םṣə·ḇā·’ām — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → will fallיִבּ֔וֹלyib·bō·wl — to wilt, fall away, become foolish or vileH5034 — Full Word Study → like witheredכִּנְבֹ֤לkin·ḇōl — to wilt, fall away, become foolish or vileH5034 — Full Word Study → leavesעָלֶה֙‘ā·leh — Leaf or foliage of a treeH5929 — Full Word Study → from the vineמִגֶּ֔פֶןmig·ge·p̄en — grapevine; vine plantH1612 — Full Word Study →, like foliageוּכְנֹבֶ֖לֶתū·ḵə·nō·ḇe·leṯ — to wilt, fall away, become foolish or vileH5034 — Full Word Study → from the fig treeמִתְּאֵנָֽה׃mit·tə·’ê·nāh — Fig tree; fig fruitH8384 — Full Word Study →. 5Whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → My swordחַרְבִּ֑יḥar·bî — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study → has drunk its fillרִוְּתָ֥הriw·wə·ṯāh — To saturate, drench, or fully satisfyH7301 — Full Word Study → in the heavensבַשָּׁמַ֖יִםḇaš·šā·ma·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →, thenהִנֵּה֙hin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → it will come downתֵּרֵ֔דtê·rêḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → uponעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Edomאֱד֣וֹם’ĕ·ḏō·wm — Red, EdomH123 — Full Word Study →, uponוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the peopleעַ֥ם‘am — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → I have devotedחֶרְמִ֖יḥer·mî — devoted to destruction; accursed thing; netH2764 — Full Word Study → to destructionלְמִשְׁפָּֽט׃lə·miš·pāṭ — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study →. 6The swordחֶ֣רֶבḥe·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study → of the LORDלַיהוָ֞הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is bathedמָלְאָ֥הmā·lə·’āh — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → in bloodדָם֙ḏām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →. It dripsהֻדַּ֣שְׁנָהhud·daš·nāh — to make fat, prosper, or grow richH1878 — Full Word Study → with fatמֵחֵ֔לֶבmê·ḥê·leḇ — Fat; the richest or best partH2459 — Full Word Study →with the bloodמִדַּ֤םmid·dam — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → of lambsכָּרִים֙kā·rîm — Ram; battering-ram; meadow; saddle padH3733 — Full Word Study → and goatsוְעַתּוּדִ֔יםwə·‘at·tū·ḏîm — male goat; leader or chiefH6260 — Full Word Study →, with the fatמֵחֵ֖לֶבmê·ḥê·leḇ — Fat; the richest or best partH2459 — Full Word Study → of the kidneysכִּלְי֣וֹתkil·yō·wṯ — Kidney; seat of emotion and conscienceH3629 — Full Word Study → of ramsאֵילִ֑ים’ê·lîm — strength, mighty one, ram, pillarH352 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDלַֽיהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has a sacrificeזֶ֤בַחze·ḇaḥ — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → in Bozrahבְּבָצְרָ֔הbə·ḇā·ṣə·rāh — A city in EdomH1224 — Full Word Study →, a greatגָּד֖וֹלgā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → slaughterוְטֶ֥בַחwə·ṭe·ḇaḥ — slaughter, butchering of animals for meat or sacrificeH2874 — Full Word Study → in the landבְּאֶ֥רֶץbə·’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of Edomאֱדֽוֹם׃’ĕ·ḏō·wm — Red, EdomH123 — Full Word Study →. 7And the wild oxenרְאֵמִים֙rə·’ê·mîm — Wild ox; aurochsH7214 — Full Word Study → will fallוְיָרְד֤וּwə·yā·rə·ḏū — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → with themעִמָּ֔ם‘im·mām — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study →, the young bullsוּפָרִ֖יםū·p̄ā·rîm — Young bull or bullock; a sacrificial animalH6499 — Full Word Study → withעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → the strong ones. Their landאַרְצָם֙’ar·ṣām — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → will be drenchedוְרִוְּתָ֤הwə·riw·wə·ṯāh — To saturate, drench, or fully satisfyH7301 — Full Word Study → with bloodמִדָּ֔םmid·dām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →, and their soilוַעֲפָרָ֖םwa·‘ă·p̄ā·rām — dust; fine particles of earth or ground matterH6083 — Full Word Study → will be soakedיְדֻשָּֽׁן׃yə·ḏuš·šān — to make fat, prosper, or grow richH1878 — Full Word Study → with fatמֵחֵ֥לֶבmê·ḥê·leḇ — Fat; the richest or best partH2459 — Full Word Study →. 8Forכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDלַֽיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has a dayי֥וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of vengeanceנָקָ֖םnā·qām — Vengeance, retribution, or the avenging of a wrongH5359 — Full Word Study →, a yearשְׁנַ֥תšə·naṯ — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study → of recompenseשִׁלּוּמִ֖יםšil·lū·mîm — Recompense, reward, or repaymentH7966 — Full Word Study → for the causeלְרִ֥יבlə·rîḇ — Strife, contention, legal disputeH7379 — Full Word Study → of Zionצִיּֽוֹן׃ṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study →. 9Edom’s streams will be turnedוְנֶהֶפְכ֤וּwə·ne·hep̄·ḵū — to overturn, turn over, transformH2015 — Full Word Study → to tarלְזֶ֔פֶתlə·ze·p̄eṯ — Pitch; a dark, viscous, waterproofing substanceH2203 — Full Word Study →, and her soilוַעֲפָרָ֖הּwa·‘ă·p̄ā·rāh — dust; fine particles of earth or ground matterH6083 — Full Word Study → to sulfurלְגָפְרִ֑יתlə·ḡā·p̄ə·rîṯ — sulfur; brimstone used in divine judgmentH1614 — Full Word Study →; her landאַרְצָ֔הּ’ar·ṣāh — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → will becomeוְהָיְתָ֣הwə·hā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a blazingבֹּעֵרָֽה׃bō·‘ê·rāh — to burn, consume, or act brutishlyH1197 — Full Word Study → pitchלְזֶ֖פֶתlə·ze·p̄eṯ — Pitch; a dark, viscous, waterproofing substanceH2203 — Full Word Study →. 10It will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be quenchedתִכְבֶּ֔הṯiḵ·beh — To extinguish or quench; to put outH3518 — Full Word Study →dayוְיוֹמָם֙wə·yō·w·mām — During the day; daytime; by dayH3119 — Full Word Study → or nightלַ֤יְלָהlay·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study →. Its smokeעֲשָׁנָ֑הּ‘ă·šā·nāh — Smoke; vapor rising from fireH6227 — Full Word Study → will ascendיַעֲלֶ֣הya·‘ă·leh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → foreverלְעוֹלָ֖םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →. From generationמִדּ֤וֹרmid·dō·wr — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study → to generationלָדוֹר֙lā·ḏō·wr — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study → it will lie desolateתֶּחֱרָ֔בte·ḥĕ·rāḇ — to be desolate, wither, or be destroyedH2717 — Full Word Study →; no oneאֵ֥ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → will ever againלְנֵ֣צַחlə·nê·ṣaḥ — perpetual strength; eternal enduranceH5331 — Full Word Study → passעֹבֵ֖ר‘ō·ḇêr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → through it. 11The desert owlקָאַ֣תqā·’aṯ — pelican or cormorant (unclean water bird)H6893 — Full Word Study → and screech owlוְקִפּ֔וֹדwə·qip·pō·wḏ — porcupine or hedgehogH7090 — Full Word Study → will possess itוִירֵשׁ֙וּהָ֙wî·rê·šū·hā — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study →, and the great owlוְיַנְשׁ֥וֹףwə·yan·šō·wp̄ — Great owl; a large nocturnal bird of preyH3244 — Full Word Study → and ravenוְעֹרֵ֖בwə·‘ō·rêḇ — raven, a black birdH6158 — Full Word Study → will dwellיִשְׁכְּנוּ־yiš·kə·nū- — To dwell, inhabit, or settle in a placeH7931 — Full Word Study → in it. The LORD will stretch outוְנָטָ֥הwə·nā·ṭāh — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → over Edom a measuring lineקַֽו־qaw- — A cord, line, or measuring instrument; figuratively, a rule or standardH6957 — Full Word Study → of chaosתֹ֖הוּṯō·hū — Formlessness, emptiness, void, or chaosH8414 — Full Word Study → and a plumb lineוְאַבְנֵי־wə·’aḇ·nê- — Stone; rock; precious stoneH68 — Full Word Study → of destructionבֹֽהוּ׃ḇō·hū — emptiness, void, formlessnessH922 — Full Word Study →. 12Noוְאֵֽין־wə·’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → noblesחֹרֶ֥יהָḥō·re·hā — A person of noble birth or rank; a freeman or dignitaryH2715 — Full Word Study → will be left to proclaimיִקְרָ֑אוּyiq·rā·’ū — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → a kingמְלוּכָ֣הmə·lū·ḵāh — Kingship, royal authority, sovereigntyH4410 — Full Word Study →, and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → her princesשָׂרֶ֖יהָśā·re·hā — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study → will comeיִ֥הְיוּyih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → to nothingאָֽפֶס׃’ā·p̄es — End, cessation, extremity; nothing, noughtH657 — Full Word Study →. 13Her towersאַרְמְנֹתֶ֙יהָ֙’ar·mə·nō·ṯe·hā — Royal palace or fortified citadelH759 — Full Word Study → will be overgrownוְעָלְתָ֤הwə·‘ā·lə·ṯāh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → with thornsסִירִ֔יםsî·rîm — Cooking pot; hook; thornH5518 — Full Word Study →, her fortressesבְּמִבְצָרֶ֑יהָbə·miḇ·ṣā·re·hā — fortress, fortified city, strongholdH4013 — Full Word Study → with thistlesקִמּ֥וֹשׂqim·mō·wś — Nettle; a stinging weedH7057 — Full Word Study → and briersוָח֖וֹחַwā·ḥō·w·aḥ — thorny plant; bramble or thistleH2336 — Full Word Study →. She will becomeוְהָיְתָה֙wə·hā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a hauntנְוֵ֣הnə·wêh — Pleasant dwelling place or homeH5116 — Full Word Study → for jackalsתַנִּ֔יםṯan·nîm — Sea monster, dragon, or serpentH8577 — Full Word Study →, an abodeחָצִ֖ירḥā·ṣîr — court, courtyard, enclosureH2681 — Full Word Study → for ostrichesיַעֲנָֽה׃ya·‘ă·nāh — ostrich (large flightless bird)H3284 — Full Word Study →. 14The desert creaturesצִיִּים֙ṣî·yîm — Wild beasts of the desert; jackalsH6728 — Full Word Study → will meetוּפָגְשׁ֤וּū·p̄ā·ḡə·šū — To meet, encounter, or come togetherH6298 — Full Word Study → with hyenasאִיִּ֔ים’î·yîm — Wild beast or jackal of the islands/coastlandsH338 — Full Word Study →, and one wild goatוְשָׂעִ֖ירwə·śā·‘îr — he-goat; hairy or rough creatureH8163 — Full Word Study → will callיִקְרָ֑אyiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → anotherרֵעֵ֣הוּrê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study →. Thereשָׁם֙šām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → the night creatureלִּילִ֔יתlî·lîṯ — Night creature; screech owlH3917 — Full Word Study → will settleהִרְגִּ֣יעָהhir·gî·‘āh — To shake, tremble; to rest, be quietH7280 — Full Word Study → and findוּמָצְאָ֥הū·mā·ṣə·’āh — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → her place of reposeמָנֽוֹחַ׃mā·nō·w·aḥ — Rest, resting place, or peaceH4494 — Full Word Study →. 15Thereשָׁ֣מָּהšām·māh — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → the owl willקִפּוֹז֙qip·pō·wz — Great owl, likely an eagle owl or similar large nocturnal birdH7091 — Full Word Study → make her nestקִנְּנָ֤הqin·nə·nāh — to build or make a nestH7077 — Full Word Study →; she will layוַתְּמַלֵּ֔טwat·tə·mal·lêṭ — to escape, deliver, or save from dangerH4422 — Full Word Study → and hatch her eggsוּבָקְעָ֖הū·ḇā·qə·‘āh — To break open, split, or break throughH1234 — Full Word Study → and gatherוְדָגְרָ֣הwə·ḏā·ḡə·rāh — to brood, sit upon, gather togetherH1716 — Full Word Study → her brood under her shadowבְצִלָּ֑הּḇə·ṣil·lāh — shadow; protection; shelterH6738 — Full Word Study →. Evenאַךְ־’aḵ- — Surely, certainly, only, neverthelessH389 — Full Word Study → thereשָׁ֛םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study → the birds of preyדַיּ֖וֹתḏay·yō·wṯ — hawk or bird of preyH1772 — Full Word Study → will gatherנִקְבְּצ֥וּniq·bə·ṣū — to gather, assemble, or collect togetherH6908 — Full Word Study →, eachאִשָּׁ֥ה’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → with its mateרְעוּתָֽהּ׃rə·‘ū·ṯāh — Companion, neighbor, or associate in relationshipH7468 — Full Word Study →. 16Searchדִּרְשׁ֨וּdir·šū — to seek, inquire, search diligentlyH1875 — Full Word Study → and readוּֽקְרָ֔אוּū·qə·rā·’ū — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → the scrollסֵ֤פֶרsê·p̄er — A written document, scroll, or bookH5612 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →: Notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → oneאַחַ֤ת’a·ḥaṯ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → of these will go missingנֶעְדָּ֔רָהne‘·dā·rāh — To arrange in rows; to lack or failH5737 — Full Word Study →, not oneאִשָּׁ֥ה’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → will lackפָקָ֑דוּp̄ā·qā·ḏū — to visit, oversee, appoint, care forH6485 — Full Word Study → her mateרְעוּתָ֖הּrə·‘ū·ṯāh — Companion, neighbor, or associate in relationshipH7468 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Heה֣וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → has orderedצִוָּ֔הṣiw·wāh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → it by His mouthפִי֙p̄î — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →, and Heה֥וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → will gather themקִבְּצָֽן׃qib·bə·ṣān — to gather, assemble, or collect togetherH6908 — Full Word Study → by His Spiritוְרוּח֖וֹwə·rū·ḥōw — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study →. 17Heוְהֽוּא־wə·hū- — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → has allottedהִפִּ֤ילhip·pîl — to fall; collapse; perishH5307 — Full Word Study → their portionגּוֹרָ֔לgō·w·rāl — lot, portion, inheritance, destinyH1486 — Full Word Study →; His handוְיָד֛וֹwə·yā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → has distributedחִלְּקַ֥תָּהḥil·lə·qat·tāh — to divide, distribute, or apportion; to be smooth or flatterH2505 — Full Word Study → it by measureבַּקָּ֑וbaq·qāw — A cord, line, or measuring instrument; figuratively, a rule or standardH6957 — Full Word Study →. They will possessיִֽירָשׁ֔וּהָyî·rā·šū·hā — to possess, inherit, dispossessH3423 — Full Word Study → it foreverעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study →; they will dwellיִשְׁכְּנוּ־yiš·kə·nū- — To dwell, inhabit, or settle in a placeH7931 — Full Word Study → in it from generationלְד֥וֹרlə·ḏō·wr — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study → to generationוָד֖וֹרwā·ḏō·wr — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Isaiah 34
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Isaiah 34 is a solemn prophecy of God's judgment against the nations, particularly Edom (Idumea), and serves as a stark reminder that the Lord's justice cannot be escaped. The chapter employs vivid, apocalyptic language to describe divine vengeance—a judgment that is both specific (targeting Edom for its historical enmity toward God's people) and cosmic in scope. This passage must be read in the context of God's righteous character: His judgment is not arbitrary cruelty but the inevitable consequence of rebellion against Him. The chapter concludes with an affirmation that God's word will certainly be fulfilled, establishing both the certainty of His judgment and the security of His purposes.

Verses 1–5: The Call to Witness God's Judgment

Isaiah opens with a universal summons: all nations and peoples are invited to hear of God's coming indignation (verse 1). This is not a private matter but a public declaration of divine justice. The Lord's fury falls upon "all their armies" (verse 2), indicating that human military might offers no defense against God's wrath. The language becomes increasingly graphic: the slain will be left unburied, their stench rising up (verse 3)—an image of complete defeat and shame in ancient Near Eastern terms.

Verses 4 and 5 shift to cosmic language. The heavens themselves will "dissolve," and the stars will fall like leaves from a vine (verse 4). This apocalyptic imagery—borrowed by Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament (Matthew 24, 2 Peter 3)—emphasizes that God's judgment reaches beyond earthly kingdoms to the very structure of creation. The "sword" of the Lord (verse 5) is a weapon of divine judgment, "bathed in heaven" before descending upon Edom, God's "people of curse." This poetic language stresses the certainty and totality of God's judgment.

Application: We are reminded that God's justice is both certain and cosmic in scale. When we witness injustice in our world, we can trust that the Lord sees all and will ultimately set things right.

Verses 6–10: The Sacrifice and Desolation

Isaiah uses sacrificial language to describe God's judgment (verses 6–7). The "sword of the Lord is filled with blood" as though it were a sacrifice offering—not a pleasant image, but one conveying that judgment is God's solemn, deliberate act. Bozrah and Idumea (Edom) are named specifically; Edom's historical opposition to Israel (see Obadiah) made them a symbol of nations hostile to God's purposes.

Verses 8–10 reveal the purpose behind this judgment: "it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion" (verse 8). God judges not out of caprice but to vindicate His people and His holy name. The land becomes desolate—streams turned to pitch, dust to brimstone, a perpetual burning (verses 9–10). This total desolation mirrors the language used later in Scripture for final judgment, though here it applies to a specific historical enemy.

Application: God's judgments vindicate the suffering of His people. Our present troubles are not forgotten by the Lord; He keeps account and will ultimately establish justice.

Verses 11–17: Desolation and Divine Purpose

The final section describes the land as a wasteland inhabited only by unclean animals—cormorants, owls, ravens (verses 11–15). Palaces become homes for serpents; nobles disappear. This reversal echoes Genesis's creation account but inverted: what was meant for human dominion returns to wilderness and chaos.

Yet verses 16–17 pivot to assurance. The reader is told to "seek...out of the book of the LORD"—referring to Isaiah's own prophecy. Not one creature will be missing; not one divine promise will fail. God has cast lots and assigned boundaries; the fulfillment is as certain as creation itself. This ending reminds us that God's word is reliable and His plans immutable.

Application: God's promises are as reliable as His judgment. We can stake our lives on His word, knowing that every prophecy He has given will come to pass.

Application for Today

Isaiah 34 calls us to take God's justice seriously and to trust His character. While the specific judgment on Edom belongs to ancient history, the chapter's theology remains eternally relevant: God will judge sin, vindicate His people, and fulfill every word He has spoken. For believers, this is both sobering and comforting—sobering as a reminder of God's holiness, comforting as assurance that He will make all things right.

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