Isaiah 63

Isaiah 63:1

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.

Isaiah 63:2

red = ’adom. Hence “Edom” (Isaiah 63:1).

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

Isaiah 63:3

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.

Isaiah 63:4

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).

Isaiah 63:5

Mine own arm. Compare Isaiah 59:16.

salvation = victory.

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

Isaiah 63:6

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.

Isaiah 63:7

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

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

Isaiah 63:8

children = sons.

lie = deal falsely.

Isaiah 63:9

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.

Isaiah 63:10

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.

Isaiah 63:11

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.

Isaiah 63:12

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.

Isaiah 63:14

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

Isaiah 63:15

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

strength = mighty deeds.

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

Isaiah 63:16

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.

Isaiah 63:17

made us = suffered us.

hardened = let us harden.

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

Isaiah 63:18

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).

Isaiah 63:19

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.