Isaiah 63:1

Context

The Victorious Divine Warrior

63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom,¹

dressed in bright red, coming from Bozrah?²

Who³ is this one wearing royal attire,⁴

who marches confidently⁵ because of his great strength?

“It is I, the one who announces vindication,

and who is able to deliver!”⁶

[63:1] ¹sn Edom is here an archetype for the Lord’s enemies. See 34:5.

[63:1] ²tn Heb “[in] bright red garments, from Bozrah.”

[63:1] ³tn The interrogative particle is understood by ellipsis; note the first line of the verse.

[63:1] ⁴tn Heb “honored in his clothing”; KJV, ASV “glorious in his apparel.”

[63:1] ⁵tc The Hebrew text has צָעָה (tsa’ah), which means “stoop, bend” (51:14). The translation assumes an emendation to צָעַד (tsa’ad, “march”; see BDB 858 s.v. צָעָה).

[63:1] ⁶tn Heb “I, [the one] speaking in vindication [or “righteousness”], great to deliver.”