Isaiah 63:1
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? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Original Language Analysis
מִי
H4310
מִי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
1 of 18
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בָּ֣א
Who is this that cometh
H935
בָּ֣א
Who is this that cometh
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מֵאֱד֗וֹם
from Edom
H123
מֵאֱד֗וֹם
from Edom
Strong's:
H123
Word #:
4 of 18
edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him
חֲמ֤וּץ
with dyed
H2556
חֲמ֤וּץ
with dyed
Strong's:
H2556
Word #:
5 of 18
to be pungent; i.e., in taste (sour, i.e., literally fermented, or figuratively, harsh), in color (dazzling)
הָד֣וּר
this that is glorious
H1921
הָד֣וּר
this that is glorious
Strong's:
H1921
Word #:
9 of 18
to swell up (literally or figuratively, active or passive); by implication, to favor or honor, be high or proud
בִּלְבוּשׁ֔וֹ
in his apparel
H3830
בִּלְבוּשׁ֔וֹ
in his apparel
Strong's:
H3830
Word #:
10 of 18
a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife
צֹעֶ֖ה
travelling
H6808
צֹעֶ֖ה
travelling
Strong's:
H6808
Word #:
11 of 18
to tip over (for the purpose of spilling or pouring out), i.e., (figuratively) depopulate; by implication, to imprison or conquer; (reflexive) to lie
כֹּח֑וֹ
of his strength
H3581
כֹּח֑וֹ
of his strength
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
13 of 18
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
מְדַבֵּ֥ר
I that speak
H1696
מְדַבֵּ֥ר
I that speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
15 of 18
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בִּצְדָקָ֖ה
in righteousness
H6666
בִּצְדָקָ֖ה
in righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
16 of 18
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
Cross References
Revelation 19:13And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.Psalms 137:7Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.Numbers 23:19God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?Matthew 21:10And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?Song of Solomon 8:5Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee.
Historical Context
Edom (descendant of Esau) represents persistent hostility toward Israel. Bozrah was Edom's capital. This judgment on Edom pictures God's judgment on all His enemies.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the divine warrior imagery balance with God's mercy?
- What does 'mighty to save' mean when connected to judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
A dramatic vision opens: 'Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah?' The returning warrior's clothes are stained. He is 'glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength.' The response: 'I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.' The Hebrew 'rav' (great) and 'yasha' (save) combine power with redemption.