(The Lord speaking is red text)
For the indignation of the LORD [is] upon all nations, and [his] fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
For ADONAI is angry at every nation, furious with all their armies; he has completely destroyed them, handed them over to slaughter.
The LORD is angry with all the nations and furious with all their armies. He will devote them to destruction; He will give them over to slaughter.
For Jehovah hath indignation against all the nations, and wrath against all their host: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
For the indignation{H7110} of the LORD{H3068} is upon all nations{H1471}, and his fury{H2534} upon all their armies{H6635}: he hath utterly destroyed{H2763} them, he hath delivered{H5414} them to the slaughter{H2874}.
Isaiah 34:2 is a part of the prophetic book of Isaiah, which is a collection of prophecies attributed to the prophet Isaiah, who lived in the 8th century BCE. The book is divided into two main sections: chapters 1-39, which focus on prophecies of judgment and restoration for Judah and Israel, and chapters 40-66, which broaden to include the nations and God's universal reign.
The verse itself is set within a larger passage of oracles against the nations, specifically in the context of God's judgment against Edom, which is symbolic of all nations that oppose God's people. The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Divine Wrath**: The "indignation of the LORD" refers to God's righteous anger against sin and disobedience. This concept is common in the prophetic literature of the Bible, where God's wrath is often depicted as being directed against those who persist in wickedness and refuse to repent.
2. **Universal Judgment**: The verse emphasizes that God's judgment is not limited to Israel or Judah but extends "upon all nations" and "all their armies." This reflects the understanding that God is sovereign over all the earth and that all people are accountable to Him.
3. **Destruction and Slaughter**: The language used ("he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter") is stark and vivid, indicating complete devastation. This hyperbolic language is typical of prophetic oracles, meant to convey the severity of God's judgment.
4. **Historical Context**: The specific historical context for this oracle is thought to be the period after the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (722 BCE) and during the Assyrian threats to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Edom, mentioned elsewhere in the context of Isaiah 34, had a complex relationship with Israel, often characterized by hostility, which may have contributed to its role as a symbol of the nations opposing God's people.
In summary, Isaiah 34:2 is a declaration of God's universal sovereignty and the consequence of His wrath against all nations that stand against His will. It serves as a warning and a reminder of God's power and justice, emphasizing that no one, regardless of nationality or strength of armies, can ultimately withstand the judgment of the Lord.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)