Isaiah 63:2

KJV

Wherefore [art thou] red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore art thou red {H122} in thine apparel {H3830}, and thy garments {H899} like him that treadeth {H1869} in the winefat {H1660}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Why is your apparel red, your clothes like someone treading a winepress?

Berean Standard Bible

Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress?

American Standard Version

Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winevat?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 63:2 presents a dramatic prophetic inquiry, following the majestic appearance of a triumphant warrior in the preceding verse. The prophet, witnessing this figure arriving from Edom, asks why his apparel is stained red, likening his garments to those of one who has trodden grapes in a winepress. This vivid imagery immediately signals a scene of intense judgment and decisive victory, setting the stage for a profound revelation of divine justice and vengeance against the enemies of God's people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 63:2 is an integral part of a powerful dialogue initiated in [Isaiah 63:1](/isaiah/63-1 "Isaiah 63:1 - The Triumphant Warrior"). The prophet observes a formidable figure approaching from Edom, a nation historically hostile to Israel, and immediately questions his identity and the striking, blood-red appearance of his garments. This verse serves as the prophet's direct inquiry into the nature of the warrior's recent engagement, prompting the warrior's own explanation in [Isaiah 63:3-6](/isaiah/63-3 "Isaiah 63:3-6 - The Warrior's Explanation of Judgment"). The passage transitions from a vision of God's ultimate salvation and restoration of Israel (as seen in earlier chapters like [Isaiah 62](/isaiah/62 "Isaiah 62 - Zion's Vindication and Salvation")) to a depiction of the necessary divine judgment that precedes and secures this salvation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of treading the winepress was deeply familiar to an ancient agrarian society. Grapes were harvested and then placed in large vats (winefats or winepresses), where laborers would tread them barefoot to extract the juice. This process was messy, often staining the workers' clothes red. In the biblical context, this agricultural metaphor is consistently employed to symbolize the crushing of enemies and the pouring out of divine wrath, as seen in passages like [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "Joel 3:13 - The Winepress of Judgment") and [Lamentations 1:15](/lamentations/1-15 "Lamentations 1:15 - Judah's Desolation"). Edom, mentioned in [Isaiah 63:1](/isaiah/63-1 "Isaiah 63:1 - The Triumphant Warrior"), was a long-standing adversary of Israel, often representing the archetypal enemy nation due to its consistent hostility and betrayal, particularly after the Babylonian exile (cf. [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Violence Against Jacob")). The prophet's vision thus taps into a rich cultural understanding of judgment and a specific historical antagonism.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes emerging from this verse include **Divine Vengeance and Justice**, where God is depicted as actively intervening to right wrongs and execute judgment upon those who oppose His will and oppress His people. The "red apparel" signifies the completion of a terrible, yet righteous, work of judgment, foreshadowing the ultimate day of the Lord when divine justice will be fully executed. Another key theme is the **Messianic Role as Judge**, as this triumphant warrior is often understood to be the Messiah, who not only comes as a Savior but also as a formidable Judge. Furthermore, the imagery subtly introduces the theme of **Solitary Work**, which is explicitly confirmed in [Isaiah 63:3](/isaiah/63-3 "Isaiah 63:3 - The Solitary Treading of the Winepress"), underscoring God's unique power and sovereignty in carrying out His decrees of judgment without human assistance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **red (Hebrew, _ʼâdôm'_):** From the root _ʼâdam_, meaning "to be red" or "rosy." In this context, the color red is not merely descriptive but highly symbolic, immediately evoking images of blood, violence, and intense conflict. It signifies the outcome of a recent, decisive, and bloody confrontation, setting a stark and dramatic tone for the warrior's appearance.
* **apparel (Hebrew, _lᵉbûwsh'_):** Refers to a garment or clothing. This term, along with "garments" (_beged_), emphasizes the outward appearance of the warrior, which is strikingly stained. The state of his clothing is central to the prophet's inquiry, as it provides the visual evidence of the battle he has just concluded.
* **treadeth (Hebrew, _dârak'_):** A primitive root meaning "to tread," "to walk," or "to go over." In the context of the winepress, it specifically refers to the action of crushing grapes underfoot. This verb is crucial as it links the warrior's stained garments directly to the agricultural process of treading, which is then reinterpreted metaphorically as the crushing of enemies in judgment.
* **winefat (Hebrew, _gath'_):** Probably derived from a root meaning "to tread out grapes," this word refers to a wine-press or a vat for holding grapes during pressing. It is the literal location where grapes are crushed. Its symbolic use here is profound, transforming a common agricultural tool into a powerful metaphor for the place where divine wrath is executed, and enemies are "crushed" like grapes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore [art thou] red in thine apparel,"**: This opening clause is a direct, rhetorical question posed by the prophet, expressing astonishment and demanding an explanation for the warrior's striking, blood-red appearance. The color red is immediately highlighted as the most prominent and perplexing feature of the figure's attire, prompting the inquiry into the nature of his recent activity.
* **"and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?"**: This second clause expands on the initial observation, providing a vivid simile that clarifies the nature of the "red" stain. By likening the garments to those of a winepress worker, the prophet immediately invokes the imagery of crushing and intense, messy labor. This comparison, however, subtly shifts from grape juice to blood, setting up the subsequent revelation that the warrior has been engaged in a work of judgment, not viticulture.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 63:2 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of a warrior whose clothes are stained red, immediately conjuring associations with blood and battle. The central device is a powerful **Simile**, comparing the warrior's garments to those of "him that treadeth in the winefat." This simile functions as an extended **Metaphor**, where the act of treading grapes in a winepress transforms into a symbol of divine judgment, crushing adversaries. The verse opens with a **Rhetorical Question**, "Wherefore [art thou] red in thine apparel...?", which serves to engage the reader, build suspense, and prompt the warrior's subsequent explanation, making the revelation of divine judgment more impactful. The color red itself is highly **Symbolic**, representing not only the blood of battle but also the fierceness of God's wrath and the completeness of His vengeance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 63:2 powerfully introduces the theme of God's righteous judgment and vengeance, portraying Him as a divine warrior who personally executes justice. This imagery underscores the biblical principle that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also perfectly just and will ultimately bring all unrighteousness to account. The "winepress" metaphor is a consistent biblical symbol for the outpouring of divine wrath, signifying a decisive and overwhelming defeat of God's enemies. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God's plan for salvation is inextricably linked with His work of judgment, ensuring that righteousness will ultimately prevail and His covenant people will be vindicated.

* [Revelation 14:19-20](/revelation/14-19 "Revelation 14:19-20 - The Great Winepress of God's Wrath")
* [Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Revelation 19:15 - Christ Treading the Winepress")
* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine, and Recompense")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 63:2 confronts us with the awe-inspiring and sometimes terrifying reality of God's justice. While we often emphasize God's love and mercy, this verse reminds us of His unwavering commitment to righteousness and His ultimate resolve to address evil and oppression. For those who persist in rebellion against God or who oppress the vulnerable, this passage serves as a solemn warning of impending accountability. It calls us to consider the seriousness of sin and the certainty of divine judgment. Conversely, for those who are suffering under injustice, or who feel overwhelmed by the prevalence of evil in the world, this verse offers profound comfort and hope. It assures us that God sees, He cares, and He will indeed act decisively to bring about justice and deliverance for His people. This vision encourages us to trust in God's sovereign control, knowing that His perfect kingdom will ultimately be established through both salvation and necessary judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the "winefat" challenge or expand your understanding of God's character?**
* **In what ways does this verse offer comfort to the oppressed, and a warning to the oppressor?**
* **How should the reality of divine judgment shape our own pursuit of justice and righteousness in the world?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "red apparel" in this verse?**

Answer: The "red apparel" is highly symbolic, representing the blood of God's enemies, not grape juice. It signifies that the triumphant warrior has just completed a work of intense judgment and vengeance, having "trodden" or crushed His adversaries. This vivid imagery immediately communicates the violent and decisive nature of the divine intervention.

**Why is the "winefat" or "winepress" used as a metaphor for judgment?**

Answer: The "winefat" or "winepress" was a common agricultural tool where grapes were crushed underfoot to extract juice. This process was messy and resulted in red stains. Biblically, this familiar imagery is consistently employed as a powerful metaphor for God's wrath and judgment, where His enemies are "crushed" and utterly defeated, much like grapes are crushed in the press. It conveys the totality and overwhelming nature of divine retribution, as seen in passages like [Revelation 14:19-20](/revelation/14-19 "Revelation 14:19-20 - The Winepress of God's Wrath").

**Who is the warrior described in Isaiah 63:2?**

Answer: While not explicitly named in this verse, the warrior is widely interpreted by Christian theologians as a prefigurement of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is depicted as the one who "speaketh in righteousness, mighty to save" ([Isaiah 63:1](/isaiah/63-1 "Isaiah 63:1 - The Triumphant Warrior")), and the subsequent verses confirm His solitary work of judgment. This figure embodies God's own power and commitment to justice, ultimately fulfilled in Christ's role as both Savior and Judge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 63:2 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who embodies both the saving and judging aspects of God's character. While Christ's first advent was marked by humility, sacrifice, and the offering of salvation (as prophesied in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")), this passage powerfully foreshadows His second coming as the triumphant divine warrior. The imagery of the "red apparel" and garments "like him that treadeth in the winefat" resonates profoundly with New Testament depictions of Christ's return. In [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse"), Jesus is described as riding a white horse, "clothed with a vesture dipped in blood," and from His mouth "goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." This direct parallel confirms that the prophetic vision of Isaiah 63:2 points to Christ's definitive victory over all evil, sin, and opposition at the consummation of history. He is the one who, having secured salvation through His own blood on the cross ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through His Blood")), will return to execute perfect justice, bringing an end to all unrighteousness and establishing His eternal kingdom ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")).

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

Revelation 19:13

And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Revelation 19:15

And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.