King James Version

What Does Isaiah 34:6 Mean?

Isaiah 34:6 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Isaiah 34:6 · KJV


Context

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.

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.

6

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.

7

And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. unicorns: or, rhinocerots soaked: or, drunken

8

For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The sacrificial imagery inverts worship—instead of Edom offering sacrifices to God, they become the sacrifice. "Bozrah" (sheepfold) was Edom's capital, symbolizing their wealth and strength. The blood and fat language echoes Levitical sacrifices, suggesting that God's judgment is itself a holy act. This concept reaches fulfillment in Christ, the true sacrifice, and warns that those who reject His atonement face God's consuming holiness directly.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Bozrah was a fortified city in northern Edom, representing military power. Archaeological evidence shows its destruction, confirming prophetic fulfillment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does sacrifice imagery help us understand the substitutionary nature of Christ's death?
  2. What does it mean that judgment itself is a sacred act of God?
  3. How should the reality of divine vengeance shape our evangelistic urgency?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
חֶ֣רֶב1 of 20

The sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

לַֽיהוָה֙2 of 20

for the LORD

H3068

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

מָלְאָ֥ה3 of 20

is filled

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

מִדַּ֤ם4 of 20

and with the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

הֻדַּ֣שְׁנָה5 of 20

it is made fat

H1878

to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint; figuratively, to satisfy; to remove (fat) ashes (of sacrifices)

מֵחֵ֖לֶב6 of 20

with fatness

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

מִדַּ֤ם7 of 20

and with the blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

כָּרִים֙8 of 20

of lambs

H3733

a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)

וְעַתּוּדִ֔ים9 of 20

and goats

H6260

prepared, i.e., full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people

מֵחֵ֖לֶב10 of 20

with fatness

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

כִּלְי֣וֹת11 of 20

of the kidneys

H3629

a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self)

אֵילִ֑ים12 of 20

of rams

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

כִּ֣י13 of 20
H3588

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

זֶ֤בַח14 of 20

hath a sacrifice

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

לַֽיהוָה֙15 of 20

for the LORD

H3068

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

בְּבָצְרָ֔ה16 of 20

in Bozrah

H1224

botsrah, a place in edom

וְטֶ֥בַח17 of 20

slaughter

H2874

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

גָּד֖וֹל18 of 20

and a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

בְּאֶ֥רֶץ19 of 20

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֱדֽוֹם׃20 of 20

of Idumea

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him


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 34:6 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 34:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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