Isaiah 63:6

KJV

And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will tread down {H947} the people {H5971} in mine anger {H639}, and make them drunk {H7937} in my fury {H2534}, and I will bring down {H3381} their strength {H5332} to the earth {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In my anger I trod down the peoples, made them drunk with my fury, then poured out their lifeblood on the earth."

Berean Standard Bible

I trampled the nations in My anger; in My wrath I made them drunk and poured out their blood on the ground.”

American Standard Version

And I trod down the peoples in mine anger, and made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Isaiah 63:6 delivers a powerful and unyielding portrayal of God's righteous judgment against those who oppose His divine will and His covenant people. Continuing the dramatic imagery of a solitary divine warrior returning from a decisive battle, the verse climactically underscores the Lord's absolute sovereignty and overwhelming might. It depicts His wrath as an irresistible, crushing force that utterly incapacitates and dismantles the strength of His adversaries, ensuring the ultimate and undeniable triumph of His perfect justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Isaiah 63:6 serves as the forceful culmination of a highly anthropomorphic and dramatic prophetic vision spanning [Isaiah 63:1-6](/isaiah/63-1-6 "Isaiah 63:1-6 - The Divine Warrior's Vengeance"). The preceding verses introduce the Lord as a majestic warrior, stained with the blood of His enemies, arriving from Edom. The rhetorical question in [Isaiah 63:1](/isaiah/63-1 "Isaiah 63:1 - The Divine Warrior's Return") ("Who is this that comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah?") sets a scene of profound mystery and awe. The Lord's subsequent explanation in [Isaiah 63:3](/isaiah/63-3 "Isaiah 63:3 - God Treads the Winepress Alone") clarifies that He has "trodden the winepress alone," signifying a singular, unassisted, and complete act of judgment. This imagery, deeply rooted in the agricultural practices of ancient Israel, vividly portrays the crushing of enemies. Verse 6, therefore, provides the definitive summary of this divine act of retribution, asserting the comprehensive nature of God's wrath and the total subjugation of those who stand against Him, bringing the prophetic vision of vengeance to its climactic and forceful conclusion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This passage resonates deeply with the historical and cultural experiences of Israel, particularly during periods of exile and oppression. Edom, a perennial adversary and symbolic representation of hostile nations (as seen in [Obadiah 1:10-14](/obadiah/1-10-14 "Obadiah 1:10-14 - Edom's Treachery Against Jacob")), embodies all those who stand in defiance of God's covenant people. The powerful metaphor of "treading the winepress" was a familiar and visceral agricultural practice, making the imagery of divine judgment intensely relatable to an agrarian society. Just as grapes are crushed underfoot to yield wine, so too would God utterly crush His adversaries. The broader concept of a "Day of the Lord"—a definitive intervention by God in human history to judge evil and deliver His people—was a cornerstone of Israelite prophecy. This reflected a profound belief in God's active, just, and decisive involvement in the affairs of the world, offering both warning to the wicked and hope to the oppressed.

* **Key Themes:** Isaiah 63:6 powerfully reinforces several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Isaiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment and Retribution**, which unequivocally underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and His active role in punishing sin and rebellion. This portrays God not as a passive observer but as a decisive agent who intervenes to right wrongs. Secondly, the verse highlights **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Omnipotence**. The emphatic repetition of "I will" statements emphasizes that God alone possesses the ultimate power and authority to execute such comprehensive judgment, demonstrating that no human or national strength can withstand His ultimate decree. Finally, though stark in its imagery, the passage subtly conveys the theme of **Vindication for the Oppressed**. For a people suffering under the heel of foreign powers, this vision of God's wrath against their enemies offers profound assurance that God sees their affliction and will ultimately act on their behalf, fulfilling His covenant promises to bring justice and restoration, echoing the divine promise of vengeance and atonement for His land and people found in [Deuteronomy 32:43](/deuteronomy/32-43 "Deuteronomy 32:43 - God's Vengeance and Atonement for His Land and People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tread down (Hebrew, _bûwç'_):** From H947, this primitive root signifies to trample, whether literally or figuratively. It conveys the powerful sense of crushing underfoot, often implying utter disdain, contempt, or complete subjugation. In the context of Isaiah 63:6, it directly evokes the vivid imagery of treading grapes in a winepress, where the fruit is utterly crushed to extract its essence, thereby symbolizing the complete and overwhelming defeat and destruction of God's adversaries.
* **fury (Hebrew, _chêmâh'_):** From H2534, this word denotes intense heat, which is figuratively extended to anger or poison (from its feverish effect). It describes a profound, burning wrath, often with destructive and consuming consequences. The use of "fury" alongside "anger" (H639, _ʼaph'_, referring to the nose/nostril, often associated with rapid, passionate breathing) underscores the profound, uncontainable, and consuming nature of God's righteous indignation, which is not a fleeting emotion but a decisive, destructive force against evil.
* **strength (Hebrew, _Nêtsach'_):** From H5332, this word is likely identical with a term meaning brilliancy of color, specifically referring to the juice of the grape (as blood red), or more broadly, blood or strength. In this context, "strength" encompasses not merely physical might but also the very vitality, power, pride, and lifeblood of the nations. Bringing down their "strength to the earth" implies a total draining of their power, vitality, and very existence, mirroring the crushing of grapes that yields their life-giving juice, which then becomes a potent symbol of the blood and utter defeat of the enemies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will tread down the people in mine anger":** This opening clause unequivocally establishes God's active, decisive, and personal role in executing judgment. The phrase "tread down" (from _bûwç'_) signifies a forceful, overwhelming act of subjugation, directly invoking the powerful imagery of crushing grapes in a winepress. The "people" here refer to the nations or individuals who stand in direct opposition to God and His divine purposes. This action is driven by God's "anger" (from _ʼaph'_), which is presented not as a human flaw but as a righteous indignation against sin, rebellion, and injustice.
* **"and make them drunk in my fury":** This vivid and potent metaphor describes the complete disorientation and incapacitation of God's adversaries. To be "made drunk" (from _shâkar'_) by God's "fury" (from _chêmâh'_) means to be utterly overwhelmed by the intensity of His wrath to the point of absolute helplessness. They lose all capacity for resistance, rational thought, or escape, becoming utterly confused and powerless, much like one intoxicated beyond measure. This imagery emphasizes the overwhelming and inescapable nature of divine judgment.
* **"and I will bring down their strength to the earth":** This final clause powerfully emphasizes the total, irreversible, and humiliating defeat of God's enemies. "Bring down" (from _yârad'_) signifies a complete descent, a fall, or a profound humbling. Their "strength" (from _Nêtsach'_), which encompasses their power, pride, vitality, and very existence, is utterly annihilated and reduced to nothing, returning to the dust from which all things come. This signifies a complete and decisive end to their opposition and their very existence as a formidable force, underscoring the finality of God's judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Isaiah 63:6 masterfully employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the intensity, totality, and divine nature of God's judgment. The most prominent is the pervasive **Metaphor**, particularly the continuation of the **winepress metaphor** introduced earlier in the chapter. The act of "treading down" directly evokes the crushing of grapes, transforming an agricultural process into a visceral image of divine wrath and total subjugation. Similarly, the phrase "make them drunk in my fury" is a striking **metaphor** for overwhelming incapacitation, likening God's wrath to an intoxicating substance that renders its victims helpless, disoriented, and utterly powerless. The passage also utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme nature of God's power and the complete devastation of His enemies; the language is intentionally exaggerated to convey the absolute magnitude and finality of the divine act. Furthermore, the repeated "I will" statements exemplify **Anaphora**, creating a rhythmic, emphatic quality to God's declarations and powerfully underscoring His unwavering resolve and absolute sovereignty in executing judgment. Finally, the description of God's "anger" and "fury" is a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human emotions to God to make His righteous indignation comprehensible to human readers, though it is understood that divine wrath is perfectly just, holy, and controlled, unlike human anger.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Isaiah 63:6 stands as a stark and profound reminder of God's unwavering justice and His ultimate sovereignty over all creation. It unveils a crucial facet of God's character—His holy wrath against sin and rebellion—a dimension often overshadowed by His love and mercy. This wrath is not capricious or vindictive but is a perfectly righteous and necessary response to persistent injustice, defiance of His divine order, and the oppression of His people. The passage assures believers that evil will not prevail indefinitely and that God will ultimately intervene to vindicate His people and establish His perfect rule. It underscores the profound seriousness of sin and the inevitability of divine reckoning for those who reject His authority, while simultaneously offering deep comfort to the oppressed by guaranteeing that their oppressors will face ultimate and decisive judgment.

* [Psalm 75:8](/psalms/75-8 "The Cup of Wrath")
* [Jeremiah 25:15](/jeremiah/25-15 "The Cup of God's Wrath")
* [Revelation 14:19-20](/revelation/14-19-20 "The Great Winepress of God's Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Isaiah 63:6, while depicting a fearsome and awe-inspiring aspect of God's character, offers profound and practical lessons for believers today. It calls us to a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of God's holiness and His unyielding commitment to justice. In a world frequently marked by pervasive injustice, suffering, and the apparent triumph of evil, this verse provides a powerful and enduring assurance that God is neither indifferent nor inactive; He sees, He acts, and He will ultimately bring all things to account. This truth should cultivate in us a healthy reverence for God, recognizing the profound gravity of sin and the absolute necessity of living in alignment with His righteous and holy will. Furthermore, it instills a robust and resilient hope, reminding us that the final victory belongs exclusively to God, and His eternal purposes for righteousness, peace, and restoration will ultimately prevail, providing immense comfort and strength in times of personal adversity, societal injustice, and global turmoil.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's righteous anger and judgment, as depicted in Isaiah 63:6, deepen your appreciation for His boundless mercy and grace?**
* **In what specific ways does this passage challenge or affirm your current understanding of God's absolute sovereignty over nations and the unfolding of human history?**
* **How might the assurance of God's ultimate justice, even conveyed through such stark and powerful imagery, provide comfort, motivation, or a call to action in your own life or in the face of contemporary global injustices?**

### FAQ

**Does this passage imply that God is cruel or vindictive?**

Answer: No, this passage does not imply that God is cruel or vindictive in a human, flawed sense. Instead, it profoundly portrays God's **righteous wrath**, which is a holy, just, and necessary response to persistent sin, unrepentant rebellion, and the oppression of His people. Unlike human anger, which is often tainted by sin, malice, or impulsiveness, God's wrath is always perfectly just, controlled, and without any trace of evil. It is an essential expression of His character as a holy God who cannot and will not tolerate evil indefinitely. The imagery, though stark and powerful, emphasizes the certainty, completeness, and overwhelming nature of divine judgment against those who defiantly oppose His perfect will and inflict harm upon His creation and covenant people, ultimately ensuring absolute justice. This portrayal is entirely consistent with God's character as revealed throughout scripture, where His justice and righteousness are as foundational to His throne as His love and mercy (e.g., [Psalm 89:14](/psalms/89-14 "Righteousness and Justice are the Foundation of God's Throne")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Isaiah 63:6, with its vivid and fearsome imagery of the divine warrior treading the winepress of wrath, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Old Testament passages often depict God's judgment upon specific nations or historical enemies, the New Testament progressively reveals Christ as the one through whom all judgment will ultimately be executed, for the Father "judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son" ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "The Father Judges No One, But Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). The terrifying vision of the "winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" is explicitly and directly attributed to Christ Himself in the book of Revelation ([Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Christ Treads the Winepress of God's Wrath")), where He appears as the conquering King, arrayed in garments dipped in blood, executing righteous judgment upon all who have rebelled against God and His kingdom. This is not merely a picture of destruction but of the ultimate triumph of God's perfect justice over sin, evil, and death, paving the way for the establishment of His eternal kingdom and the glorious new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, Isaiah 63:6 powerfully foreshadows the decisive, final victory of the Lamb of God, who, having first borne the full wrath of God for sin on the cross ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Justified by His Blood")), will return in glory to bring perfect justice and establish His righteous reign forevermore.

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 14:10

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Isaiah 49:26

And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Revelation 16:19

And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Isaiah 26:5

¶ For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, [even] to the ground; he bringeth it [even] to the dust.

Isaiah 26:6

The foot shall tread it down, [even] the feet of the poor, [and] the steps of the needy.

Isaiah 29:9

¶ Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

Revelation 18:3

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.