Isaiah 63:1

On Bozrah, a city of Edom, see on ch. Isaiah 34:6.

with dyed garments Better, with bright coloured garments. The word for "dyed" means literally "sharp," "piercing."

The mention of Edom as the scene of a judgement which is obviously universal (see Isaiah 63:3; Isaiah 63:6), including all the enemies of Jehovah and Israel, is a feature common to this prophecy and that of ch. 34. It is partly accounted for by the embittered relations between the two peoples, of which traces are found in post-exilic writings (see the note on ch. 34); and partly perhaps by the ancient conception that Jehovah marches from Edom to the succour of His people (Judges 5:4). There can hardly be a reference to anticipated resistance on the part of the Edomites to the re-establishment of the Jewish State, for the judgement is not on Edom alone but on all nations; and moreover the prophecy in all probability belongs to a date subsequent to the first return of the exiles from Babylon.

glorious in his apparel The word for gloriousis lit. "swelling," being identical with that which is wrongly rendered "crooked" in ch. Isaiah 45:2 (see the note). It is doubtful what is the exact sense of the expression "swelling in his raiment." Duhm's suggestion of loose robes inflated by the wind seems a little fanciful. On the other hand "glorious" or "splendid" (LXX. ὡραῖος) conveys an impression hardly consistent with the image, since the garments of the divine champion are said to be "defiled" by the blood of His enemies (Isaiah 63:3).

travelling R.V. marching; Vulg. gradiens. This however may represent a variant reading (çô-çd, cf. Judges 5:4) which is perhaps preferable to the Massoretic text (çô-eh). The Hebr. word occurs in the difficult passage Isaiah 51:14 with the sense of "crouching." Those who retain it here explain it in various ways with the help of the Arabic as a "gesture of proud self-consciousness" (Del.); "swaying to and fro"; "with head thrown back," &c.

I that speak in righteousness &c. i.e. "speak righteously" (cf. Isaiah 45:19). Jehovah declares Himself to be true in speech, faithfully fulfilling His prophecies, and powerful in deed (mighty to save).