King James Version

What Does Isaiah 34:2 Mean?

Isaiah 34:2 in the King James Version says “For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them,... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

Isaiah 34:2 · KJV


Context

1

Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. all that: Heb. the fulness thereof

2

For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

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.

4

And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The phrase "indignation of the LORD" (Hebrew "qetseph YHWH") emphasizes God's holy wrath against sin. The "ban" or "herem" signifies complete devotional destruction, a concept fulfilled ultimately in Christ who became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). God's anger is not capricious emotion but righteous response to covenant violation and moral evil. The imagery of armies delivered to slaughter prefigures the winepress of God's wrath in Revelation 14:19-20.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This oracle specifically targets Edom (verse 5), Israel's ancient enemy descended from Esau. Edom's gloating over Jerusalem's fall (Obadiah 1:10-14) made them exemplars of nations opposing God's purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do we reconcile God's love with His wrath against nations?
  2. What does it mean that Christ bore God's indignation on our behalf?
  3. How should God's righteous anger shape our understanding of sin's seriousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כִּ֣י1 of 13
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

קֶ֤צֶף2 of 13

For the indignation

H7110

a splinter (as chipped off)

לַֽיהוָה֙3 of 13

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עַל4 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל5 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַגּוֹיִ֔ם6 of 13

is upon all nations

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

וְחֵמָ֖ה7 of 13

and his fury

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

עַל8 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל9 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

צְבָאָ֑ם10 of 13

upon all their armies

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הֶחֱרִימָ֖ם11 of 13

he hath utterly destroyed

H2763

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

נְתָנָ֥ם12 of 13

them he hath delivered

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לַטָּֽבַח׃13 of 13

them to the slaughter

H2874

properly, something slaughtered; hence, a beast (or meat, as butchered); abstractly butchery (or concretely, a place of slaughter)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Isaiah 34:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Isaiah 34:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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