ScriptureDepth's study of Isaiah 63
“Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? Who this who is glorious in his clothing, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
Isaiah 63:1
The speaker, who comes from Edom, proclaims his identity as a savior, initiating the declaration of God's judgment and strength throughout the chapter.
What Isaiah 63 is about
A warrior comes from Edom, with garments stained red from Bozrah. He declares himself as ‘mighty to save’ and explains his red clothing by saying, ‘I have trodden the wine press alone’ (vv. 1-3). He recounts how he executed judgment against the nations in anger, resulting in their blood staining his garments (vv. 4-6). Then, the speaker shifts to remembering the kindnesses of Yahweh towards Israel, recalling past mercies and how He became their Savior (vv. 7-9). However, Israel rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit, leading God to become their enemy (vv. 10-11). The text recalls Moses and the exodus, highlighting God’s guidance and care for the people (vv. 12-14). Lastly, the speaker pleads for restoration, addressing Yahweh as their Father and asking why they have been made to wander from His ways (vv. 15-19).
The chapter leaves the reader holding a plea for restoration and a longing for divine presence.
Isaiah 63 at a glance
- Isaiah 63:1–2The Warrior from Edom
- Isaiah 63:3–6God's Judgment on Nations
- Isaiah 63:7–9Remembrance of God's Kindness
- Isaiah 63:10–14Rebellion and Grief
- Isaiah 63:15–19A Plea for Restoration
Key verse: Isaiah 63:1
One thing to notice
In verses 10-14, Israel 'grieved his holy Spirit' in v. 10. The text recounts past deliverances, depicting God as a guiding presence, and notes a change from divine support to conflict due to Israel's actions.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Isaiah 63 (WEB)
The Warrior from Edom Isaiah 63:1–2
1Verse 1. Who is this who comes from Edom,with dyed garments from Bozrah?Who this who is glorious in his clothing,marching in the greatness of his strength?“It is I who speak in righteousness,mighty to save.”2Verse 2. Why is your clothing red,and your garments like him who treads in the wine vat?
God's Judgment on Nations Isaiah 63:3–6
3Verse 3. “I have trodden the wine press alone;and of the peoples, no one was with me:Yes, I trod them in my anger,and trampled them in my wrath.Their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments,and I have stained all my clothing.4Verse 4. For the day of vengeance was in my heart,and the year of my redeemed has come.5Verse 5. I looked, and there was no one to help;and I wondered that there was no one to uphold:therefore my own arm brought salvation to me;and my own wrath upheld me.6Verse 6. I trod down the peoples in my anger,and made them drunk in my wrath,and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”
Remembrance of God's Kindness Isaiah 63:7–9
7Verse 7. I will tell of the loving kindnesses of Yahwehand the praises of Yahweh,according to all that Yahweh has given to us,and the great goodness toward the house of Israel,which he has given to them according to his mercies,and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.8Verse 8. For he said, “Surely, they are my people,children who will not deal falsely;”so he became their Savior.9Verse 9. In all their affliction he was afflicted,and the angel of his presence saved them.In his love and in his pity he redeemed them.He bore them,and carried them all the days of old.
Rebellion and Grief Isaiah 63:10–14
10Verse 10. But they rebelled,and grieved his holy Spirit.Therefore he turned and became their enemy,and he himself fought against them.11Verse 11. Then he remembered the days of old,Moses and his people, saying,“Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock?Where is he who put his Holy Spirit among them?”12Verse 12. Who caused his glorious arm to be at Moses’ right hand?Who divided the waters before them, to make himself an everlasting name?13Verse 13. Who led them through the depths,like a horse in the wilderness,so that they didn’t stumble?14Verse 14. As the livestock that go down into the valley,Yahweh’s Spirit caused them to rest.So you led your people, to make yourself a glorious name.
A Plea for Restoration Isaiah 63:15–19
15Verse 15. Look down from heaven,and see from the habitation of your holiness and of your glory.Where are your zeal and your mighty acts?The yearning of your heart and your compassion is restrained toward me.16Verse 16. For you are our Father,though Abraham doesn’t know us,and Israel does not acknowledge us.You, Yahweh, are our Father.Our Redeemer from everlasting is your name.17Verse 17. O Yahweh, why do you make us wander from your ways,and harden our heart from your fear?Return for your servants’ sake,the tribes of your inheritance.18Verse 18. Your holy people possessed it but a little while.Our adversaries have trodden down your sanctuary.19Verse 19. We have become like those over whom you never ruled,like those who were not called by your name.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Isaiah 63
Divine Judgment
In verses 3-6, God declares, 'I have trodden the wine press alone' and describes His anger as He 'trod down the peoples in my anger.' The imagery of His 'red' clothing from treading the wine vat serves to illustrate the severity of His judgment on the nations. This section moves from the specific act of judgment to a broader declaration of God's authority over nations.
God's Steadfast Love
Verses 7-9 recount God's loving kindness and mercy towards Israel, stating, 'I will tell of the loving kindnesses of Yahweh.' The text expresses how God became their Savior, affirming His commitment to His people. His past actions, such as redeeming them in their affliction, reveal the enduring nature of His love throughout their history.
Repentance and Restoration
In verses 17-19, a plea for restoration arises, questioning why God has made them 'wander from your ways.' Israel openly acknowledges its disobedience and the consequences of their actions. The text conveys their deep desire for renewal and return, articulating a longing for God's restoration amid their current desolation and suffering.
Intercessory Prayer
Verses 15-16 present a heartfelt plea, asking God to look down from heaven and remember His people. The invocation of God as 'our Father' shows a deep desire for His intervention. This section contrasts their suffering with God's past faithfulness, capturing the community's call for divine compassion and immediate help.
Chapter outline
How Isaiah 63 unfolds
Isaiah 63:1–2 The Warrior from Edom
The speaker inquires about a triumphant figure from Edom, identified by their 'dyed garments' and strength, introducing a powerful deliverer (vv. 1-2).
Isaiah 63:3–6 God's Judgment on Nations
The speaker describes their solitary act of judgment against the nations, emphasizing the severity of their wrath and the result of their actions, with blood on their garments (vv. 3-6).
Isaiah 63:7–9 Remembrance of God's Kindness
The speaker recounts Yahweh's kindness and faithfulness towards Israel, acknowledging His mercies and praises, noting His identity as their Savior (vv. 7-9).
Isaiah 63:10–14 Rebellion and Grief
The people 'rebelled' and 'grieved his holy Spirit,' leading God to become their 'enemy' as He reflected on His past acts through Moses, recalling how He led them and gave them rest (vv. 10-14).
Isaiah 63:15–19 A Plea for Restoration
The speaker asks Yahweh to 'look down from heaven' and restore them, expressing their feelings of being abandoned and likening themselves to those 'over whom you never ruled' (vv. 15-19).
Key verses
Isaiah 63:1The speaker, who comes from Edom, proclaims his identity as a savior, initiating the declaration of God's judgment and strength throughout the chapter.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Isaiah 63
- observeIn v1, who is described as 'glorious in his clothing' and 'mighty to save'?
- observeWhat does the image of 'dyed garments' in v1 suggest about the coming figure?
- interpretIn v10, why does it say that God's people 'grieved his holy Spirit'? What does this imply about their relationship with Him?
- interpretIn vv. 17-18, why does the speaker question God about wandering from His ways and the adversaries' actions?
- applyWhen has your relationship with God felt distant, as expressed in v19, 'like those over whom you never ruled'?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Isaiah 63
- Revelation 19Isaiah 63:3 and Revelation 19:13Both describe a garment sprinkled with blood: Isaiah 63:3 states, 'I have stained all my clothing,' while Revelation 19:13 mentions, 'He is clothed in a garment sprinkled with blood.'
- Acts 7Isaiah 63:10 and Acts 7:51Both address rebellion against the Spirit: Isaiah 63:10 notes, 'they rebelled, and grieved his holy Spirit,' while Acts 7:51 states, 'you always resist the Holy Spirit.'
- 2 Chronicles 7Isaiah 63:19 and 2 Chronicles 7:14Both reflect on being unrecognized by God: Isaiah 63:19 states, 'We have become like those over whom you never ruled,' while 2 Chronicles 7:14 emphasizes, 'if my people... will humble themselves.'
- Ephesians 4Isaiah 63:10 and Ephesians 4:30Both warn against grieving the Spirit: Isaiah 63:10 states, 'they rebelled, and grieved his holy Spirit,' while Ephesians 4:30 urges, 'Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God.'
- Psalm 78Isaiah 63:10 and Psalm 78:56Both recount rebellion against God: Isaiah 63:10 mentions, 'they rebelled, and grieved his holy Spirit,' while Psalm 78:56 states, 'they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God.'
- Nehemiah 9Isaiah 63:11 and Nehemiah 9:20Both recall God's provision of the Spirit: Isaiah 63:11 mentions, 'put his Holy Spirit among them,' while Nehemiah 9:20 states, 'You gave also your good Spirit to instruct them.'
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Where to go from here
- Isaiah: the whole bookIsaiah son of Amoz prophesied in Jerusalem across roughly forty years and four kings — Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz…
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 227Day 227 of 365: Isaiah 61–63.
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- Common Bible questionsThe questions people bring to Bible study, each answered from the text.
- Today's devotionalOne verse and a short reflection, new every morning.
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