Isaiah 34:6
The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.
Original Language Analysis
חֶ֣רֶב
The sword
H2719
חֶ֣רֶב
The sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
1 of 20
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
לַֽיהוָה֙
for the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מָלְאָ֥ה
is filled
H4390
מָלְאָ֥ה
is filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
3 of 20
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
מִדַּ֤ם
and with the blood
H1818
מִדַּ֤ם
and with the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
4 of 20
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
הֻדַּ֣שְׁנָה
it is made fat
H1878
הֻדַּ֣שְׁנָה
it is made fat
Strong's:
H1878
Word #:
5 of 20
to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy; to remove (fat) ashes (of sacrifices)
מֵחֵ֖לֶב
with fatness
H2459
מֵחֵ֖לֶב
with fatness
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
6 of 20
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
מִדַּ֤ם
and with the blood
H1818
מִדַּ֤ם
and with the blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
7 of 20
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
כָּרִים֙
of lambs
H3733
כָּרִים֙
of lambs
Strong's:
H3733
Word #:
8 of 20
a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)
וְעַתּוּדִ֔ים
and goats
H6260
וְעַתּוּדִ֔ים
and goats
Strong's:
H6260
Word #:
9 of 20
prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people
מֵחֵ֖לֶב
with fatness
H2459
מֵחֵ֖לֶב
with fatness
Strong's:
H2459
Word #:
10 of 20
fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part
כִּלְי֣וֹת
of the kidneys
H3629
כִּלְי֣וֹת
of the kidneys
Strong's:
H3629
Word #:
11 of 20
a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)
אֵילִ֑ים
of rams
H352
אֵילִ֑ים
of rams
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
12 of 20
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
זֶ֤בַח
hath a sacrifice
H2077
זֶ֤בַח
hath a sacrifice
Strong's:
H2077
Word #:
14 of 20
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
לַֽיהוָה֙
for the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְטֶ֥בַח
slaughter
H2874
וְטֶ֥בַח
slaughter
Strong's:
H2874
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)
גָּד֖וֹל
and a great
H1419
גָּד֖וֹל
and a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
18 of 20
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Cross References
Isaiah 63:1Who 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.Jeremiah 49:13For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.
Historical Context
Bozrah was a fortified city in northern Edom, representing military power. Archaeological evidence shows its destruction, confirming prophetic fulfillment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does sacrifice imagery help us understand the substitutionary nature of Christ's death?
- What does it mean that judgment itself is a sacred act of God?
- How should the reality of divine vengeance shape our evangelistic urgency?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The sacrificial imagery inverts worship—instead of Edom offering sacrifices to God, they become the sacrifice. "Bozrah" (sheepfold) was Edom's capital, symbolizing their wealth and strength. The blood and fat language echoes Levitical sacrifices, suggesting that God's judgment is itself a holy act. This concept reaches fulfillment in Christ, the true sacrifice, and warns that those who reject His atonement face God's consuming holiness directly.