Isaiah 63:19

We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.

We are (thine): thou never barest rule over them - rather, 'We are thine from of old (Hebrew, mee`owlaam (H5769)); thou barest not rule over them.' So the Chaldaic and Syriac, and seemingly the Septuagint and Vulgate. Lowth translates, 'We for long have been as those over whom thou hast not ruled, who are not called by thy name;' 'for long' thus stands in contrast to "but a little while" (Isaiah 63:18). But the analogy of Isaiah 63:18 makes it likely that the first clause in this verse refers to the Jews, and the second to their foes, as the English version and Barnes translate it. The Jews' foes are aliens who have unjustly intruded into the Lord's heritage.

Remarks: This is another of the prophecies which, while bearing partial features of the first advent of Christ, mainly looks on to the grand consummation at His second advent. He plainly appears here, not so much in His character of the suffering Messiah, as in that of the glorified Messiah, coming to take vengeance on His enemies and to reign. Having trodden down the Antichristian faction represented by Edom, He is represented as returning to Jerusalem, His royal capital, in triumph. As here He describes Himself as 'speaking in righteousness,' so in the parallel passage of Revelation He appears as "the Word of God;" and it is said of Him "in righteousness He doth judge and make war." As here He is seen 'red in His apparel' (Isaiah 63:2), so John says, "He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood." As here He says, "I have trodden the wine-press alone" (Isaiah 63:3), so there it is written of Him, "He treadeth the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." As here "He treads the people in His anger, and tramples them in His fury," so there it is said of Him, 'out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations, and He rules them with a rod of iron.'