Isaiah 34:6

KJV

The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, [and] with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.

KJV (with Strong's)

The sword {H2719} of the LORD {H3068} is filled {H4390} with blood {H1818}, it is made fat {H1878} with fatness {H2459}, and with the blood {H1818} of lambs {H3733} and goats {H6260}, with the fat {H2459} of the kidneys {H3629} of rams {H352}: for the LORD {H3068} hath a sacrifice {H2077} in Bozrah {H1224}, and a great {H1419} slaughter {H2874} in the land {H776} of Idumea {H123}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There is a sword that belongs to ADONAI. It is filled with blood, gorged with fat, filled with the blood of lambs and goats, gorged with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For ADONAI has a sacrifice in Botzrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

Berean Standard Bible

The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat— with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

American Standard Version

The sword of Jehovah is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams; for Jehovah hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 34:6 presents a stark and visceral depiction of the Lord's impending, comprehensive judgment against Edom, serving as a symbolic representation of all nations hostile to God and His people. Through graphic sacrificial imagery, the prophet portrays divine wrath as a "sacrifice" and "great slaughter" in Bozrah and Idumea, where the "sword of the LORD" is drenched and engorged with the blood and fat of countless victims, thereby underscoring the absolute, devastating, and righteous nature of God's retribution against unrepentant rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 34 forms a distinct prophetic oracle, often termed "The Day of the Lord's Vengeance," which immediately follows a section (Isaiah 28-33) dealing with various nations and culminating in a promise of Zion's restoration. This chapter, however, shifts dramatically to a universal judgment, with Edom serving as a prime example. Verse 6 builds directly upon the preceding verse, which declares God's "sword" to be "bathed in heaven" and prepared to descend upon Edom ([Isaiah 34:5](/isaiah/34-5 "Isaiah 34:5 - God's Sword Prepared for Judgment")). The detailed description of the slaughter in verse 6 intensifies the imagery, moving from preparation to execution, setting the stage for the utter desolation described in subsequent verses, such as the perpetual burning and wasteland of Edom ([Isaiah 34:9-10](/isaiah/34-9-10 "Isaiah 34:9-10 - Edom's Perpetual Desolation")). The singular focus on Edom (Idumea) functions as a specific, tangible illustration of this broader, universal judgment, a microcosm of divine wrath against all who oppose God and His covenant community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Edom, also known as Idumea, was a nation descended from Esau, Jacob's elder twin brother, situated southeast of Judah, bordering the Arabah. Throughout the history of Israel, Edom was a persistent and often treacherous adversary, characterized by its pride, hostility, and opportunistic actions against Judah, particularly during times of distress and vulnerability, such as the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (e.g., [Psalm 137:7](/psalms/137-7 "Psalm 137:7 - Edom's Role in Jerusalem's Fall") and [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10-14 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Violence Against Jacob")). Bozrah was a prominent capital city of Edom, renowned for its strategic location and fortifications, making its inclusion in the prophecy particularly significant as a symbol of Edomite strength. The imagery of "sacrifice," "blood," and "fatness" would have been immediately recognizable to an ancient Israelite audience, as these terms were central to their understanding of temple worship and the sacrificial system ordained by Yahweh. The repurposing of these sacred cultic terms for a scene of bloody divine judgment highlights a profound theological reversal, where the enemies of God become the unwilling "sacrifice" of His wrath, emphasizing the severity and completeness of the impending destruction.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Isaiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, portraying God not merely as a passive observer but as an active, formidable warrior who executes perfect justice against wickedness. The "sword of the LORD" is a potent and terrifying symbol of His irresistible power and righteous indignation. Secondly, it masterfully employs **Ironic Sacrificial Imagery**, transforming the familiar and sacred language of cultic offerings into a terrifying depiction of divine retribution. This dark parody emphasizes the thoroughness and severity of the judgment, where the "fatness" and "blood" are not from voluntary offerings of worship but from the involuntary slaughter of the unrighteous, a "sacrifice" of judgment rather than propitiation. Finally, the specific targeting of Edom highlights the pervasive theme of **Edom's Prophesied Destruction**, a common motif in prophetic literature (e.g., [Jeremiah 49:7-22](/jeremiah/49-7-22 "Jeremiah 49:7-22 - Prophecy Against Edom") and [Ezekiel 35:1-15](/ezekiel/35-1-15 "Ezekiel 35:1-15 - Prophecy Against Mount Seir")). Edom, due to its persistent hostility, serves as an archetype of the proud, unrepentant nation that ultimately faces the full brunt of God's righteous anger, a warning to all who defy the Almighty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** This term (H2719) refers to a cutting instrument, such as a knife or sword, specifically noted for its destructive effect. In this context, "the sword of the LORD" is a powerful **anthropomorphism**, representing God's active agent of judgment and the instrument through which He executes His divine will. It is not a literal sword but a metaphorical embodiment of His irresistible wrath and destructive power.
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_):** This word (H1818) denotes the life-giving fluid, but when shed, it universally signifies death. It can also figuratively represent bloodshed, guilt, or the consequence of violence. Here, the sword being "filled with blood" vividly portrays the immense carnage and loss of life resulting from God's judgment, emphasizing the severity, scale, and completeness of the divine slaughter.
* **Sacrifice (Hebrew, _zebach'_):** While typically referring to a slaughter (H2077) for the purpose of an offering made to God, particularly the flesh of an animal offered in worship, its use here is profoundly ironic. Instead of a propitiatory or thanksgiving offering, it describes a "slaughter" of enemies as an act of divine vengeance, transforming the sacred concept of sacrifice into a metaphor for utter and destructive judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness":** This opening clause immediately establishes the graphic and violent nature of the divine judgment. The "sword of the LORD" is personified as an instrument of war, not merely used, but actively "filled" and "made fat" with the very essence of life—blood and fat. This imagery suggests an overwhelming, superabundant slaughter, where the instrument of judgment is literally gorged with its victims, indicating the vast scale, thoroughness, and gruesome reality of the destruction. The "fatness" (H2459, _cheleb'_) implies the richest or choicest part, ironically applied to the victims.
* **"[and] with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams":** This clause further elaborates on the nature of the "fatness" and "blood," using specific animal references that powerfully evoke sacrificial language. Lambs (H3733, _kar_), goats (H6260, _ʻattûwd_), and rams (H352, _ʼayil_) were common sacrificial animals in Israelite worship. The "fat of the kidneys" (H3629, _kilyâh_) was considered the choicest part of the animal, typically reserved for God in offerings as a sign of dedication and honor. By applying this precise cultic imagery to the victims of judgment, Isaiah underscores a profound and ironic reversal: what was once consecrated to God in worship now becomes the gruesome "offering" of His wrath, emphasizing the totality of the judgment and the preciousness of the lives being consumed by divine fury.
* **"for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea":** This final clause provides the theological rationale and precise geographical target for the preceding graphic imagery. The "sacrifice" (H2077, _zebach'_) and "great slaughter" (H2874, _ṭebach'_, H1419, _gâdôwl_) are explicitly declared to be taking place in Bozrah (H1224, _Botsrâh_), a chief city, and the wider land of Idumea (H123, _ʼĔdôm_). This confirms that the graphic descriptions are not random hyperbole but are precise prophecies of God's deliberate and devastating judgment against this specific, historically hostile nation (H776, _ʼerets_), serving as a powerful and concrete example of the consequences of defying the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 34:6 is replete with powerful **Imagery**, particularly **Gustatory Imagery** and **Anthropomorphism**. The "sword of the LORD" is a striking **Anthropomorphism**, portraying God as a divine warrior wielding a weapon, making His judgment tangible and active. The sword is then described with vivid and gruesome **Imagery** of being "filled with blood" and "made fat with fatness," which evokes a sense of overwhelming and consuming destruction. This leads to profound **Irony**: terms typically associated with sacred, propitiatory temple sacrifices ("blood of lambs and goats," "fat of the kidneys of rams," "sacrifice") are repurposed to describe a scene of divine retribution and mass slaughter. This **Ironic Juxtaposition** heightens the horror and underscores the complete reversal of what is holy when God's righteous wrath is unleashed. The specific mention of "Bozrah" and "Idumea" provides crucial **Geographic Specificity**, grounding the universal judgment in a concrete, historical context, making the prophecy more immediate and impactful for its original audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 34:6 profoundly reveals the character of God as both a righteous judge and the sovereign ruler over all nations. It underscores that divine wrath is not capricious or arbitrary, but a just and necessary response to unrepentant sin, rebellion, and persistent hostility towards His purposes and His people. The graphic imagery, while disturbing to modern sensibilities, serves to emphasize the absolute seriousness of defying the Almighty and the unwavering certainty of His decreed judgments. This passage, by portraying judgment as a "sacrifice," highlights the theological principle that sin demands a reckoning, and in this context, the lives of the wicked become the unwilling "payment" for their rebellion. It serves as a stark warning to all who oppose God, demonstrating that His patience is not infinite and His justice will ultimately prevail, ensuring that all injustice is addressed and His holiness vindicated.

* [Psalm 7:11](/psalms/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge")
* [Nahum 1:2](/nahum/1-2 "Nahum 1:2 - The Lord is a Jealous and Avenging God")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 34:6, with its stark imagery of divine judgment, calls us to a profound reflection on the holiness of God and the gravity of sin. While the specific target is ancient Edom, the underlying principles are timeless: God is sovereign, righteous, and will ultimately hold all nations and individuals accountable for their actions. This passage should instill a healthy fear of the Lord, not a paralyzing dread, but a reverent awe that acknowledges His absolute authority, His unwavering justice, and the devastating consequences of rejecting His rule. For those who trust in Christ, it deepens our appreciation for the immense grace and mercy extended to us, knowing that we have been spared from such wrath through His atoning sacrifice. It also compels us to live in a manner that honors God, to pursue righteousness, and to urgently share the message of reconciliation with a world that desperately needs to hear of God's justice and His boundless love offered in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of God's "sword" being "filled with blood" challenge or deepen your understanding of God's character and His justice?**
* **In what ways does this passage highlight the seriousness of sin and rebellion against God, even for nations?**
* **How should the certainty of God's judgment motivate believers to live differently, to pursue holiness, and to engage with the world around them?**

### FAQ
**Why is Edom singled out for such a severe prophecy in Isaiah 34?**

Answer: Edom (Idumea) is frequently singled out in prophetic literature, including [Isaiah 34](/isaiah/34 "Isaiah 34 - The Day of the Lord's Vengeance"), primarily because of its consistent historical antagonism towards Israel, God's chosen people. Descended from Esau, Jacob's brother, Edom often acted with pride, hostility, and opportunistic cruelty, even rejoicing in Jerusalem's downfall and participating in the plundering of Judah (e.g., [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10-14 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Cruelty to Jacob")). Therefore, Edom became a symbolic representation of all nations that embody unrepentant pride and actively oppose God and His covenant community. Its destruction serves as a vivid object lesson of God's righteous judgment against all forms of wickedness and those who harm His people, demonstrating that no nation, however strong or proud, is beyond His divine reckoning.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Isaiah 34:6 depicts a literal and symbolic judgment on ancient Edom, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment is found in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and His final victory over all evil. The "sacrifice" and "great slaughter" described here, though gruesome, foreshadow the profound theological necessity of an ultimate reckoning for sin. In the New Testament, we learn that God's righteous wrath against sin was fully poured out not on humanity, but on His own Son, Jesus, who became the perfect and ultimate "sacrifice" for sin (e.g., [Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice Once for All") and [1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Jesus, the Propitiation for Our Sins")). He absorbed the "sword of the LORD's" judgment on the cross, taking away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Therefore, for those who are in Christ, the terrifying judgment described in Isaiah 34:6 has been averted, as they are covered by His atoning blood. However, for those who reject Him, the passage also points to a future "Day of the Lord" when Christ will return in power and glory, not as a suffering servant, but as the righteous Judge, to execute final judgment on all unrighteousness, as vividly described in passages like [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ as Victorious Warrior"), where He is depicted as a warrior whose robe is "dipped in blood," bringing ultimate justice and establishing His eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 63:1

¶ Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Jeremiah 49:13

For I have sworn by myself, saith the LORD, that Bozrah shall become a desolation, a reproach, a waste, and a curse; and all the cities thereof shall be perpetual wastes.

Deuteronomy 32:14

Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.

Zephaniah 1:7

¶ Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD [is] at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

Isaiah 63:3

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

Isaiah 34:5

For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.

Jeremiah 51:40

I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.