EXPOSITION. blood-stained vesture of the conqueror was CHAPTER LXIII. a glory to him (Nab. ii 3; Rev. xix. 13) Vere. 1-6.-A JuDGMENT ON Im:r11211:A. -" as he travels" (or, "bends forward") in the greatness of his strength-exhibiting Isaiah had already, in the first portion of his in his movements e. mighty indomitable prophecy, announced " a great slaughter in strength? Who is it? The reply is imme- the land of Idumma '' as resolved on in the diate-I that speak in righteousness, mighty counsels of God (eh. xxxiv. 5-10). He now to save; i.e. I, whose every word is "holy, recurs to the subject, and represents Jehovah just, and true," who a.lone am able to "save to the uttermost all that come to me" (Heb. as e. warrior with blood-stained garments, vii. 25). The answer unmistakably indicates fresh from the field of battle in Edam, where that the figure which has appeared to the he has trodden down his foes and taken a prophet is that of Jehovah. :fierce vengeance on them. The Idumieans Ver. 2.-Wherefore a.rt thou red in thine probably represent the world-power; and apparel 1 The prophet resumes his ques- tioning. What means the redness of thine the "day of vengeance" may be one still apparel? Whence the ate.ins? Are they future, in which the enemies of God will feel wine-stains consequent on tree.ding the wine- the weight of his hand. press? Among the Hebrews, as among the The description stands by itself, neither Egyptians (Wilkinson, 'Ancient Egyptians,' connected with what goes before nor with vol. i. p. 46), the juice of the grape was trodden out by the feet of men, who often what follows. It has the appearance of a splushed some upon their garments (Gen. separate poem, which accident has placed xlix. 11). in its present position. In form it is "e. Ver. 3.-I have trodden the wine-press. lyrico-dramatio dialogue between the pro- The warrior replies. He uccepts the sugges- phet as a bystander and a victorious warrior tion of the prophet; but metnphorically, not literally. He ho.a indeed been " treading a (i.e. Jehovah) returning from battle in wine-press," but it is the wine-press of his ldnmmo." (Oheyne). fury, in which he has trampled down his Ver. 1.-Who is this 1 The prophet opens enemies; and the stains upon his raiment the dialogue with an inquiry, "Who is it are, consequently, not wine-stains, but stains that presents himself before him suddenly of blood (comp. Joel iii. 13; Lam. i. 15; in a strange guise?" He oomes from Edom, Rev. xiv. 19, 20; x.ix. 15). Alone. In mine from Bozrah-o. principal Edomite city (see own might, with none to aid me. The the comment on oh. xxxiv. 6)-with dyed literal wine-press was always trodden by a glLl'Jllents; or, rather, with blood-red gar- band of men. Of the people ; rather, of the ment,-garments incarnadined with gore. peoples ; i.e. of the neighbouring nations " Who is this," again he asks, " that is none took pa.rt with God age.inst the special glorious (or, aplendid) in bis apparel ''-the enemies of his people, the ldumieans. All 442 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET ISAIAH. [on. txm. 1-19.
more or 1('81! eympo.tbi2ed with bis a.dver- Ver. 5.-And I looked, and there wl\s none 11e.ries, and therefore participated in their to help (comp. eh. v. 2, "He looked that it punishment (eee ver. 6). For I will tread should bring forth gmpes, and it brought them ... mmple them ; rather, "° I trode forth wild grapes ; " also oh. xli. 28, "I tMm . . . trampled. them (Lowth, Rosen- beheld, and there wae no man "). Dy miiller, Delitzach, Cheyne, by e.n alteration an anthropomorphism God is represented of the vowel-points). The whole iA o. pro- as looking for and expecting what might phecy of the future; but the dramatic form reA.sone.bly have been expected, and even of the narrative requires that the verbs e.s surprised when be does not find it (comp. 11houlJ be in the past As "the peoples" ob. lix. 16). Out of all the mony nations it would not help God, but took the side of his was reasonable to suppose thl\t some would enemies, they too wore placed in the wine- lll\ve chosen the better part and have been pwess, o.nd crushed under his foet. Their on the Lord's side. But the fact was other- blood; literally, t'hsir juire. Lowth and Kay wise (comp. ver. 8). Mine own arm brought translate, "lire-blood ; " Delitzsch, "life- sa.lvation unto me; or, mine own arm helped 11ap ; " Mr. Cheyne, excellently, " life- 1'118 (comp. oh. lix. 16). Nothing more is 11lream." She.11 be sprillkled . . . will stain; needed. If God arises, his enemies e.t once rather, t.i,ai: ,prinkied . . . stai11ed. "are eoe.ttered" (Ps. lxviii. 1). "His own Yer. 4.-For the day of vengeance is in right hand, and his holy arm, get him the my heart. 'l'ransle.te,jor a day of "engeance victory " (Pa. xcviii. 1). ffiU in my heart (comp. eh. :i.:xxiv. 8; lxi.. 2). Ver. 6.-I will tread down , , . make "A day" is time enough for God to take drunk . , . bring down; rather, I trode vengeance, to kill, and to destroy. He down . . . made drunk . , . brought down. hastens ornr work that is nec8888.ry, but See the comment on ver. 8. The destruction uncongenial. But he lengthens out the was to be utter, overwhelming, absolute- time of release and redemption for his loved one from which there could be no recovery ones. The "day of vengeance" ushers in (comp. Rev. xi.x. 11-21, where the simile the "year of redemption." la come; rather, of the wine-press, and the "vesture dipped u,~ come. The Divine speaker goes back in blood," seem introduced with e. special to the time preceding the e.ctne.l punishment reforence to this passage). of the nations.
SECTION X. AJil .ADDRESS OF THE EXILES TO GoD, INCLUDING THANKSGIVING, Co!s""FESSION OF SIN, AND SUPPLICATION (CB. LXIII. 7-LXIV.).