The Lord's Vengeance: Treading the Winepress
Isaiah 63:1-6
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Isa.63.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאדום: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- חמוץ: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- בגדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מבצרה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- הדור: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בלבושו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+3,m,sg
- צעה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ברב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כחו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF:3,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- בצדקה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- להושיע: VERB,hiph,inf,-,-,-,abs
Parallels
- Revelation 19:11-13 (allusion): The rider-judge whose robe/garment is associated with blood (’robe dipped in blood’) echoes Isaiah’s image of one coming from Edom/Bozrah in crimson garments — a warrior-judge who executes vengeance.
- Habakkuk 3:3-7 (verbal): A theophany describing God coming from Teman (in Edom) and appearing in majestic, warrior-like terms parallels Isaiah’s question about one coming from Edom/Bozrah and the divine, martial arrival.
- Isaiah 34:5-8 (thematic): Announces God’s day of vengeance against the nations, particularly Edom/Bozrah; thematically parallels the judgmental, red-clad figure coming from Edom in 63:1.
- Obadiah 1:1,7 (thematic): The oracle against Edom (their violence and coming downfall) provides a parallel backdrop: Edom/Bozrah as the scene of divine retribution evoked in Isaiah 63:1.
- Isaiah 63:2-3 (structural): Immediate continuation of 63:1: the speaker identifies himself and explains the crimson garments as resulting from treading the winepress of God’s wrath — a direct internal parallel clarifying the image.
Alternative generated candidates
- Who is this coming from Edom, in crimson garments from Bozrah—he who is glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? I speak in righteousness; mighty to save.
- Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimson garments from Bozrah? He who is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength—'I speak in vindication; I am mighty to save.'
Isa.63.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מדוע: ADV
- אדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ללבושך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- ובגדיך: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- כדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בגת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Isaiah 63:1 (verbal): Immediate context: the speaker is asked who comes from Edom with crimsoned garments — same image of red-stained clothing as in v.2.
- Isaiah 63:3 (structural): Continuation of the same oracle: 'I have trodden the winepress alone' explains the source of the blood-stained garments (judgment imagery).
- Revelation 19:13 (verbal): The rider is described as wearing a robe dipped in blood — a striking parallel image of blood-stained garments associated with divine victory/judgment.
- Revelation 14:19-20 (thematic): An angel treads the great winepress of the wrath of God and blood flows — same winepress/treading motif used for eschatological judgment.
- Joel 3:13 (Joel 4:13) (verbal): 'Put in the sickle... tread, for the winepress is full' — uses the winepress/treading metaphor for the harvest of God’s judgment, similar imagery to Isa 63:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- Why are your garments red, and your robes like one who treads the winepress?
- Why are your garments crimson, and your robes like one who treads the winepress?
Isa.63.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- פורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דרכתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לבדי: ADV,sg,suff,1,sg
- ומעמים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אין: PART,neg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- ואדרכם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- באפי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suf,1,sg
- וארמסם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- בחמתי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,_,sg
- ויז: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- נצחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,_,pl
- על: PREP
- בגדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- מלבושי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,_,sg
- אגאלתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Rev.19.15 (verbal): Explicitly echoes the 'treading the winepress' of divine wrath—'He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God,' linking Isa.63:3's image of judgment and bloodied garments.
- Rev.14.19-20 (verbal): Depicts an angel gathering grapes and treading the great winepress of God's wrath, with blood flowing—directly parallels Isa.63:3's winepress/wrath and bloody imagery.
- Joel 3.13 (verbal): Calls to 'tread' the winepress because the vats are full; an earlier prophetic source for the winepress-as-judgment motif that Isa.63:3 employs.
- Ps.60.12 (Heb. 60:12/61:12) (thematic): States that God 'treads down our enemies,' using the verb and idea of God trampling foes—themewise parallel to Isa.63:3's divine trampling/treading of peoples.
- Isa.59.17-18 (verbal): Describes God putting on 'garments of vengeance' and repaying enemies—connects closely with Isa.63:3's clothing/garment imagery and the theme of divine vengeance.
Alternative generated candidates
- I have trod the winepress alone; from the nations there was no one with me. I trampled them in my anger and crushed them in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my raiment.
- I trod the winepress alone; of the peoples there was none with me. I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their blood was splashed upon my garments, and I stained all my raiment.
Isa.63.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלבי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- ושנת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- גאולי: NOUN,m,pl,constr
- באה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Isaiah 61:2 (verbal): Phrases overlap—both speak of 'the day of vengeance' and contrast it with 'the year of the LORD's favor' (Isaiah 61:2 uses parallel language to Isaiah 63:4).
- Isaiah 34:8 (verbal): Uses similar language about a 'day of vengeance' and a 'year of recompense' for Zion—closely parallels the theme and wording of Isaiah 63:4.
- Leviticus 25:10 (structural): The Jubilee 'year' language (proclaim liberty; the year of the LORD's favor) provides the cultic/ritual background for the 'year of my redeemed' motif in Isaiah 63:4.
- Luke 4:18-19 (quotation): Jesus reads Isaiah 61 (including 'to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor')—the New Testament appropriation highlights the contrast between a year of favor and the prophetic theme of vengeance found in Isaiah 63:4.
- Luke 21:22 (allusion): Speaks of 'days of vengeance' occurring 'to fulfill all that is written,' echoing Isaiah's motif of a divinely appointed time of vengeance in 63:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redeemed has come.
- For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed has come.
Isa.63.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואביט: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- עזר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואשתומם: VERB,hitp,perf,1,c,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- סומך: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg
- ותושע: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- זרעי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- וחמתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1s
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- סמכתני: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg+obj1s
Parallels
- Isaiah 59:16 (quotation): Almost identical wording and thought: God sees there is no intercessor/helper, and so his own arm brings salvation (the verse in ch.59 is the earlier formulation of the same line).
- Isaiah 63:3 (structural): Immediate context within the same taḥanun/vengeance speech: 'I trod the winepress alone; of the peoples there was none with me' parallels the theme of there being no one to help before God acts by his own arm.
- Isaiah 52:10 (verbal): Shares the characteristic motif of God 'baring his arm' (revealing his power) to bring salvation—same anthropomorphic language of God’s arm effecting deliverance.
- Psalm 98:1 (verbal): Uses similar imagery of God's 'right hand' and 'holy arm' accomplishing salvation/victory, echoing the motif of divine self‑delivered rescue found in Isa 63:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- I looked, and there was no helper; I was astonished, and there was no one to uphold. Then my own arm brought me salvation, and my fury upheld me.
- I looked, and there was no one to help; I was astonished that there was no one to uphold. So my own arm brought salvation to me, and my fury sustained me.
Isa.63.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואבוס: VERB,qal,imprf,1,m,sg
- עמים: NOUN,pl,m,abs
- באפי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suf,1,sg
- ואשכרם: VERB,hiph,imprf,1,m,sg+OBJ:3,m,pl
- בחמתי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+POSS:1,sg
- ואוריד: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,com,sg
- לארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נצחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+POSS:3,m,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 63:3-4 (structural): Immediate context: the same winepress/treading imagery and the declaration that God trod the peoples in his anger and brought down their strength.
- Revelation 19:15 (allusion): Apocalyptic echo of the winepress of God's wrath—Christ 'treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God', drawing directly on Isaiah's image.
- Joel 3:13 (Joel 4:13 Hebrew numbering) (thematic): Uses the winepress metaphor for divine judgment ('Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe... tread the winepress'), closely paralleling Isaiah's treading imagery.
- Deuteronomy 32:41-42 (verbal): Divine retribution language and the motif of making enemies 'drink'—'I will make my arrows drunk with blood'—echoes Isaiah's 'made them drunk in my fury.'
- Habakkuk 3:13 (thematic): God's triumphant, trampling action against nations in judgment; similar depiction of divine fury bringing down the strength of the peoples.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will tread down the peoples in my anger, make them drunk in my fury, and bring down their might to the earth.
- I will tread down the peoples in my anger; I will make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring their strength down to the earth.
Who is this who comes from Edom, with crimson-stained garments from Bozrah? Who is this, glorious in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? I speak in righteousness—mighty to save.
Why are your garments red, and your raiment like him who treads the winepress?
I trod the winepress alone; of the peoples there was none with me. I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their blood was sprinkled upon my garments, and I stained all my raiment.
For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year for my redeemed has come.
I looked, but there was no one to help; I was amazed that there was no one to uphold. Then my own arm brought salvation for me, and my fury sustained me.
I will tread down the peoples in my anger; I will make them drunk in my wrath, and lay their strength low to the earth.