Isaiah 34:3

Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.

Their slain {H2491} also shall be cast out {H7993}, and their stink {H889} shall come up {H5927} out of their carcases {H6297}, and the mountains {H2022} shall be melted {H4549} with their blood {H1818}.

Their slain will be thrown out, the stench will rise from their corpses, the mountains will flow with their blood.

Their slain will be left unburied, and the stench of their corpses will rise; the mountains will flow with their blood.

Their slain also shall be cast out, and the stench of their dead bodies shall come up; and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.

Isaiah 34:3 (KJV) delivers a stark and graphic prophecy of divine judgment, vividly depicting the devastating consequences for those who oppose God. This verse is part of a broader prophecy in Isaiah 34, which foretells a "day of the LORD's vengeance" against all nations, with a particular focus on Edom, Israel's long-standing adversary.

Context of Isaiah 34:3

Chapter 34 of Isaiah paints a terrifying picture of God's wrath poured out on the earth, specifically targeting nations that have oppressed His people and defied His sovereignty. It contrasts sharply with the subsequent chapter (Isaiah 35), which describes the glorious restoration of Zion. The imagery in verse 3, with its focus on unburied bodies, pervasive stench, and mountains "melted with blood," underscores the absolute and overwhelming nature of this coming desolation. This is not merely a human conflict but a manifestation of God's righteous indignation against sin and rebellion. Historically, this chapter is often understood in the context of God's judgment on Edom, a nation descended from Esau, known for its consistent hostility towards Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Wrath: The verse powerfully conveys the severity of God's judgment against His enemies. The imagery of widespread death and destruction highlights that God is not indifferent to injustice but will ultimately execute perfect justice. For further understanding of God's judgment, consider exploring Revelation 14:19-20.
  • Utter Desolation: "Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases" describes a scene of complete ruin, where bodies are left unburied, leading to a repulsive stench. This signifies a total lack of respect for the dead and a profound state of abandonment and desolation, indicating that no one is left to mourn or bury the fallen. This imagery emphasizes the completeness of the destruction.
  • Overwhelming Bloodshed: The phrase "and the mountains shall be melted with their blood" is a hyperbolic expression emphasizing the sheer volume of slaughter. It illustrates an unimaginable scale of destruction, so vast that it seems to alter the very landscape, symbolizing the overwhelming force of God's vengeance. This vivid imagery is echoed in other prophetic books concerning the Day of the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "stink" (בָּאשׁ, ba'ash) conveys a strong sense of putrefaction and abhorrence, emphasizing the repulsive and dishonorable end of the slain. The term "melted" (מָקַק, maqaq) typically means to decay, rot, or dissolve. Here, its application to mountains "melting" with blood is a powerful poetic exaggeration, underscoring the immense and transformative impact of the bloodshed. This hyperbole serves to convey the truly cataclysmic nature of God's judgment.

Practical Application

While the imagery of Isaiah 34:3 is stark and unsettling, it serves as a crucial reminder of God's holiness and His ultimate sovereignty over all nations. It teaches us several important lessons:

  1. God is Just: He will not let evil go unpunished forever. This verse underscores the certainty of divine retribution for rebellion against Him and His purposes, providing assurance for those who suffer injustice.
  2. Reverence for God: It calls for a profound reverence for God, recognizing His immense power and the seriousness of defying His commands. It encourages seeking His mercy and walking in His ways rather than incurring His wrath.
  3. Sobering Warning: For those who persist in wickedness, it stands as a sobering warning of the inevitable consequences of opposing God. Conversely, for believers, it offers assurance that God will ultimately vindicate His righteousness and His people, as seen in passages like Romans 12:19, where vengeance belongs to the Lord, and believers are called to trust in His perfect timing and judgment.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joel 2:20

    But I will remove far off from you the northern [army], and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

  • Ezekiel 39:4

    Thou shalt fall upon the mountains of Israel, thou, and all thy bands, and the people that [is] with thee: I will give thee unto the ravenous birds of every sort, and [to] the beasts of the field to be devoured.

  • Isaiah 34:7

    And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.

  • Ezekiel 38:22

    And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that [are] with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

  • Ezekiel 32:5

    And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height.

  • Ezekiel 32:6

    I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, [even] to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee.

  • 2 Kings 9:35

    And they went to bury her: but they found no more of her than the skull, and the feet, and the palms of [her] hands.

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