Isaiah 34:2

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 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}.

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.

Commentary

Context of Isaiah 34:2

Isaiah chapter 34 serves as a dramatic prophetic oracle, primarily depicting the Lord's fierce judgment against Edom, a nation historically hostile to Israel. However, the scope of this judgment quickly expands, as seen in verse 2, to encompass a universal reckoning upon "all nations." This chapter stands in stark contrast to the promises of restoration for God's people found in the following chapters, emphasizing that divine justice precedes and paves the way for ultimate redemption. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over human history and the destiny of nations.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Wrath and Indignation: The verse powerfully conveys the Lord's righteous anger and "fury" against the wickedness and rebellion of the nations. This is not arbitrary rage but a just response to widespread sin, oppression, and defiance of God's moral order. It highlights that God is not indifferent to evil but will actively intervene to uphold His justice.
  • Universality of Judgment: The phrase "upon all nations" is crucial, signifying that divine accountability extends beyond a single people or nation. No nation is exempt from God's scrutiny or His ultimate judgment. This underscores the global reach of His sovereignty and His expectation of righteousness from all peoples.
  • Certainty of Fulfillment: The use of the prophetic perfect tense—"he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter"—speaks to the absolute certainty and inevitability of this future judgment. From God's eternal perspective, the decreed destruction is as good as accomplished, emphasizing His omnipotence and the unfailing nature of His word. This certainty of judgment is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, warning of the consequences of persistent sin and rebellion, much like the pronouncements of God's wrath poured out like a cup of fury upon the nations.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses strong language to describe God's judgment. The Hebrew word for "indignation" is za'am (זַעַם), which denotes intense, boiling displeasure or wrath, often associated with divine indignation against sin. "Fury" comes from chemah (חֵמָה), emphasizing the heat and vehemence of anger. The phrase "utterly destroyed them" translates from the Hebrew root charam (חָרַם), which implies a complete and irreversible dedication to destruction, often in the context of a ban or devotion to annihilation. This signifies a comprehensive and total judgment, leaving nothing behind.

Practical Application

Isaiah 34:2 serves as a timeless reminder of God's ultimate authority and His commitment to justice. For contemporary readers, it underscores that nations, like individuals, are accountable before God. It challenges any notion that power or political might can escape divine scrutiny. For believers, it offers comfort in knowing that God will ultimately right all wrongs and bring an end to injustice and rebellion. For all, it is a sober call to repentance and a recognition of God's supreme sovereignty. Understanding this verse encourages a humble posture before the Lord, urging nations and individuals alike to align with His righteous ways and to seek Him while He may be found, turning from their wicked ways.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 25:15 (3 votes)

    ¶ For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.

  • Jeremiah 25:29 (3 votes)

    For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Zephaniah 3:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination [is] to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, [even] all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

  • Joel 3:9 (2 votes)

    ¶ Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

  • Joel 3:14 (2 votes)

    Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision.

  • Isaiah 30:25 (2 votes)

    And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers [and] streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.

  • Zechariah 14:12 (2 votes)

    And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.