Isaiah — Chapter 63

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1Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”

2Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress?

3“I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained.

4For the day of vengeance was in My heart, and the year of My redemption had come.

5I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled that no one assisted. So My arm brought Me salvation, and My own wrath upheld Me.

6I trampled the nations in My anger; in My wrath I made them drunk and poured out their blood on the ground.”

7I will make known the LORD’s loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all that the LORD has done for us—the many good things for the house of Israel according to His great compassion and loving devotion.

8For He said, “They are surely My people, sons who will not be disloyal.” So He became their Savior.

9In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

10But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them.

11Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them,

12who sent His glorious arm to lead them by the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to gain for Himself everlasting renown,

13who led them through the depths like a horse in the wilderness, so that they did not stumble?

14Like cattle going down to the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led Your people this way to make for Yourself a glorious name.

15Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained.

16Yet You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.

17Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.

18For a short while Your people possessed Your holy place, but our enemies have trampled Your sanctuary.

19We have become like those You never ruled, like those not called by Your name.

1Who 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.

2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

5And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.

6And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

7I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

8For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.

9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

10But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

11Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?

12That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

13That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?

14As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

15Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

16Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

17O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

18The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.

19We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.

1Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winevat?

3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yea, I trod them in mine anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled upon my garments, and I have stained all my raiment.

4For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

5And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my wrath, it upheld me.

6And I trod down the peoples in mine anger, and made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.

7I will make mention of the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah, [and] the praises of Jehovah, according to all that Jehovah hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

8For he said, Surely, they are my people, children that will not deal falsely: so he was their Saviour.

9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

10But they rebelled, and grieved his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, [and] himself fought against them.

11Then he remembered the days of old, Moses [and] his people, [saying], Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit in the midst of them?

12that caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses? that divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

13that led them through the depths, as a horse in the wilderness, so that they stumbled not?

14As the cattle that go down into the valley, the Spirit of Jehovah caused them to rest; so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.

15Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where are thy zeal and thy mighty acts? the yearning of thy heart and thy compassions are restrained toward me.

16For thou art our Father, though Abraham knoweth us not, and Israel doth not acknowledge us: thou, O Jehovah, art our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is thy name.

17O Jehovah, why dost thou make us to err from thy ways, and hardenest our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants` sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

18Thy holy people possessed [it] but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.

19We are become as they over whom thou never barest rule, as they that were not called by thy name.

1Who is this who comes from Edom, dressed in bright red, coming from Bozrah? Who is this one wearing royal attire, who marches confidently because of his great strength? “It is I, the one who announces vindication, and who is able to deliver!”

2Why are your clothes red? Why do you look like someone who has stomped on grapes in a vat?

3“I have stomped grapes in the winepress all by myself; no one from the nations joined me. I stomped on them in my anger; I trampled them down in my rage. Their juice splashed on my garments and stained all my clothes.

4For I looked forward to the day of vengeance, and then payback time arrived.

5I looked, but there was no one to help; I was shocked because there was no one offering support. So my right arm accomplished deliverance; my raging anger drove me on.

6I trampled nations in my anger; I made them drunk in my rage; I splashed their blood on the ground.”

7I will tell of the faithful acts of the Lord, of the Lord’s praiseworthy deeds. I will tell about all the Lord did for us, the many good things he did for the family of Israel, because of his compassion and great faithfulness.

8He said, “Certainly they will be my people, children who are not disloyal.” He became their deliverer.

9Through all that they suffered, he suffered too. The messenger sent from his very presence delivered them. In his love and mercy he protected them; he lifted them up and carried them throughout ancient times.

10But they rebelled and offended his Holy Spirit, so he turned into an enemy and fought against them.

11His people remembered the ancient times. Where is the one who brought them up out of the sea, along with the shepherd of his flock? Where is the one who placed his Holy Spirit among them,

12the one who made his majestic power available to Moses, who divided the water before them, gaining for himself a lasting reputation,

13who led them through the deep water? Like a horse running through the wilderness they did not stumble.

14As an animal that goes down into a valley to graze, so the Spirit of the Lord granted them rest. In this way you guided your people, gaining for yourself an honored reputation.

15Look down from heaven and take notice, from your holy, majestic palace! Where are your zeal and power? Do not hold back your tender compassion!

16For you are our father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not recognize us. You, Lord, are our father; you have been called our Protector from ancient times.

17Why, Lord, do you make us stray from your ways and make our minds stubborn so that we do not obey you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your inheritance!

18For a short time your special nation possessed a land, but then our adversaries knocked down your holy sanctuary.

19We existed from ancient times, but you did not rule over them; they were not your subjects.

1Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? Who this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”

2Why is your clothing red, and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat?

3“I have trodden the wine press alone; and of the peoples, no one was with me: Yes, I trod them in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath. Their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my clothing.

4For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed has come.

5I looked, and there was no one to help; and I wondered that there was no one to uphold: therefore my own arm brought salvation to me; and my own wrath upheld me.

6I trod down the peoples in my anger, and made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”

7I will tell of the loving kindnesses of Yahweh and the praises of Yahweh, according to all that Yahweh has given to us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has given to them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.

8For he said, “Surely, they are my people, children who will not deal falsely;” so he became their Savior.

9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and in his pity he redeemed them. He bore them, and carried them all the days of old.

10But they rebelled, and grieved his holy Spirit. Therefore he turned and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them.

11Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying, “Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put his Holy Spirit among them?”

12Who caused his glorious arm to be at Moses’ right hand? Who divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

13Who led them through the depths, like a horse in the wilderness, so that they didn’t stumble?

14As the livestock that go down into the valley, Yahweh’s Spirit caused them to rest. So you led your people, to make yourself a glorious name.

15Look down from heaven, and see from the habitation of your holiness and of your glory. Where are your zeal and your mighty acts? The yearning of your heart and your compassion is restrained toward me.

16For you are our Father, though Abraham doesn’t know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, Yahweh, are our Father. Our Redeemer from everlasting is your name.

17O Yahweh, why do you make us wander from your ways, and harden our heart from your fear? Return for your servants’ sake, the tribes of your inheritance.

18Your holy people possessed it but a little while. Our adversaries have trodden down your sanctuary.

19We have become like those over whom you never ruled, like those who were not called by your name.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Articles
Reflection

Summary

Isaiah pictures a lone figure striding from Edom with garments stained crimson, identified as the Lord, who has trodden the winepress of judgment alone because no one else would help (vv. 1-6). The tone then shifts to grateful remembrance of God's past kindnesses and the deliverance he gave Israel out of love and pity (vv. 7-9), followed by the sobering admission that Israel rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit, turning him into their enemy (vv. 10-14). The chapter ends with an anguished prayer pleading for God to look down from heaven, asking where his zeal and compassion have gone and appealing to him as Father and Redeemer to return for his servants' sake (vv. 15-19).

Authorship & Background

Author: Isaiah son of Amoz (see Chapter 1 notes for full details).
Classification: Prophetic Oracle — Divine Warrior + Communal Lament
Key Themes: God as lone warrior, the winepress of judgment, garments dipped in blood, remembering God's past mercies, the Holy Spirit grieved, "thou art our Father," prayer for God's return
Historical Context: The chapter opens with one of Scripture's most dramatic scenes: a lone figure comes from Edom (Bozrah) with crimson-stained garments (vv.1-6). It's GOD — and He has executed judgment alone because no one helped. Revelation 19:13-15 draws heavily on this imagery for Christ's return. The chapter then shifts abruptly (vv.7-14) to grateful remembrance of God's past lovingkindnesses, and finally (vv.15-19) to an anguished communal prayer — almost accusing God of absence.
Who Is This from Edom (vv.1-6): 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. The passage opens as a challenge from a watchman to an approaching figure, and the answer identifies both the stains and the work, I have trodden the winepress alone, and of the people there was none with me. The imagery is a grape harvest and the juice is blood, and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments. Revelation 19:13-15 takes it up of the rider on the white horse. Two details are worth holding on to. The aloneness is stated twice, which connects to 59:16, where no intercessor could be found. And the motive given is legal, for the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come, so the vengeance and the redemption are one date.
I Will Mention the Lovingkindnesses (vv.7-9): I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us. The tone changes completely from the winepress and stays changed for the rest of the chapter. Then a sentence about identification that has no real parallel in the Old Testament, in all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them. And the carrying image of 46:4 returns, in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
They Rebelled and Vexed His Holy Spirit (vv.10-14): But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit, therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. That last clause is among the hardest in the book, and Paul's grieve not the Holy Spirit in Ephesians 4:30 is drawing on this verse. Then the memory works backwards through the exodus, where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock, where is he that put his holy Spirit within him. The questions are asked in the past tense about a God who is present, which is what makes them a prayer rather than a history. And the closing image is livestock finding shelter, as a beast that goeth down into the valley, so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
Where Is Thy Zeal (vv.15-19): Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory, where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me, are they restrained. Then the appeal goes behind the ancestors to the only relationship left, doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not, thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer. And the boldest sentence in the prayer is put as a question, O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear. The prophet who was told at 6:10 to make the heart of the people fat is now asking why it was done.

Map & Geography

  • Edom (v.1): Land south of the Dead Sea; descendants of Esau.

Places on this map

  • Edomsouthern JordanThe red sandstone highlands south-east of the Dead Sea, holding the King's Highway and later Petra. Settlements sat behind cliffs and narrow gorges, which is the pride Obadiah addresses when he speaks to those who dwell in the clefts of the rock. Wikipedia
  • Dead SeaIsrael / JordanThe lowest exposed ground on earth, about 1,400 feet below sea level, and roughly ten times saltier than the ocean because water leaves only by evaporation. Nothing lives in it, which is the image Ezekiel 47 overturns when he has it filled with fish. Wikipedia

Towns sit on their excavated or traditional site. Regions, rivers and seas are ringed rather than dotted, because for those a single point is only an anchor. Coastlines from Natural Earth.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com
  • Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871): blueletterbible.org A critical and explanatory commentary on the whole Bible, more concise than Matthew Henry and closer to the Hebrew and Greek, with attention to historical and geographical detail. Public domain.
  • Matthew Henry's Exposition (1710): blueletterbible.org A devotional verse-by-verse commentary in the Puritan tradition, still among the most widely read three centuries on. Public domain.

Videos

Like a Horse in Open Country - Isaiah 63:7, 14
David Guzik

Isaiah 63-66 | The Warrior in Red | Bible Study
Spoken Gospel

Isaiah 63:4 || 90-Second Sermon #6 || "God's Love and Wrath"
Spoken Gospel

Articles

  • BibleProject: bibleproject.com On the whole book: the promised king who runs through Isaiah from beginning to end.
  • GotQuestions.org: gotquestions.org On the whole book: an overview of the book of Isaiah -- who wrote it, when, why, and how it fits the rest of Scripture.

Links open on the publisher's own site. Nothing here is reproduced on this page.

Reflection

  • The Warrior Who Trod the Winepress Alone (v.3) — The lone figure returning from Edom declares He trampled the nations in judgment by Himself, with no one to help. Does knowing Christ bore His hardest hour completely alone change how you understand what He accomplished for you?
  • Afflicted With Them in Their Affliction (v.9) — God is described as being afflicted right along with His people in all their suffering, not watching from a distance. Does it change how you pray to know God feels your pain with you rather than observing it from far off?
  • Grieving God's Holy Spirit (v.10) — Israel's rebellion is described as grieving the Holy Spirit, turning Him from friend to something they had to contend with. Do you think of sin primarily as breaking a rule, or as something that personally grieves God?
  • Thou Art Our Father (v.16) — Even though the patriarchs might not recognize them, the people cling to the truth that God is their Father regardless. Does your identity as God's child depend on your circumstances or performance, or is it as fixed as this verse insists?
  • An Honest, Almost Accusing Prayer (v.17) — The prayer bluntly asks God why He let His people wander from His ways and hardened their hearts against Him. Do you allow yourself that kind of raw honesty with God, or only offer Him polite, careful requests?