Isaiah 34:4 NIV

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Isaiah 34:1-17

JUDAH AND EGYPT These chapters make a unit since, with the exception of the opening part of chapter 28, they chiefly deal with Judah’s futile alliance with Egypt. Isaiah 28:0 Israel, or the kingdom of the ten tribes, is addressed under the name of her leading tribe “Ephraim” (Isaiah 28:1 ). Her great sin is strong drink. “The head of the fat valley” is Samaria the capital, which is soon to be overthrown by the Assyrians (Isaiah 28:2-4 ). Observe, however, the usual forecast of the end of the... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Isaiah 34:1-17

Contrasts In Providence Isaiah 34:0 , Isaiah 35:0 These chapters are part of the summing-up of the first section of Isaiah's double volume. They are the epilogue of the first volume. Hezekiah was closing his sovereignty, apparently; whether anything may occur to extend the reign will presently be seen. The Egyptian alliance, and the attack of Sennacherib upon Israel, are matters that have fallen back a long way, if not in time-distance, yet in sense of victory and deliverance. These are two... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Isaiah 34:1-4

The manner in which the Lord, by his servant the Prophet, opens this chapter, is very striking, and not unsimilar to other places on the same subject. When the Lord speaks, well may man hear; Ezekiel 9:1 ; Micah 6:2 . It is only for the Reader to turn to those scriptures, to discover, how both prophets and apostles agree in this same thing; 2 Peter 3:10 ; Matthew 24:29-30 ; Revelation 6:12-14 . read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Isaiah 34:4

Away. These strong expressions denote great misery, chap. xiii., and Joel ii. 10., and Ezechiel xxxii. 27. (Calmet) --- Book. Hebrew, "roll." (Haydock) --- Some thence foolishly inferred that the destiny of every one might be read in the heavens. (Huet.; Eusebius, pr'e6p. vi. 11.; Philoo. xxiii.; Pic. Astrol. viii. 5.) --- The prophet only means that the heavens shall be devoid of beauty, (Calmet) and covered with darkness. (Haydock) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 34:1-8

1-8 Here is a prophecy of the wars of the Lord, all which are both righteous and successful. All nations are concerned. And as they have all had the benefit of his patience, so all must expect to feel his resentment. The description of bloodshed suggests tremendous ideas of the Divine judgments. Idumea here denotes the nations at enmity with the church; also the kingdom of antichrist. Our thoughts cannot reach the horrors of that awful season, to those found opposing the church of Christ. There... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Isaiah 34:1-4

Judgments upon Idumea. Isaiah is rightly called the evangelist of the Old Testament. Throughout his book of prophecies he refers to conditions as they would obtain in the time of the Messiah. In chapters 34 and 35 also, which form the conclusion of the first half of his book, he makes use of New Testament ideas and pictures. For this reason these ers, at the same time, strike the introductory chords to the great Book of Consolations, 40-66. Introductory Proclamation v. 1. Come near, ye... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Isaiah 34:1-4

FOURTH SUBDIVISIONTHE CONCLUSION OF PART FIRSTIsaiah 34-35Chapters 34–35 are the proper conclusion of the first part of Isaiah’s prophecies. For chaps. 36–39 are only an historical supplement, though a very important one. Hence I do not think that chaps. 34–35. are only the finale of chaps 28–33; for that we have already found in chap. 33. rather chaps. 34–35 form a conclusion of the first half of the book that sums up and finishes the announcements of judgment and salvation of the first part,... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Isaiah 34:1-17

Reaping the Whirlwind Isaiah 34:1-17 This chapter is one prolonged description of the judgments which were to befall the nations at the hand of Assyria and Babylon. The imagery employed is borrowed from the destruction of the cities of the plain. Streams of pitch; dust of brimstone; the ever-ascending smoke of a furnace; the scream of the eagle, hawk, and owl; the invasion of palaces by the thistle; the howl of the wolf; the call of the jackal; the arrow-snakes nest; the kite with its... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Isaiah 34:1-17

This and the following chapter constitute the second part of the final circle of the prophecies of judgment. Terrible indeed is the description of world-wide desolation which this chapter presents. The nations, the people, and the whole earth are summoned to hear. Jehovah declares His indignation, and announces His determination to act in a judgment which will involve the whole earth and the host of heaven. From this wide outlook, the prophet passes to a description of the judgment of God on... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 34:4

‘And all the host of heaven will be dissolved, And the heavens will be rolled together as a scroll, And all their host will fade away, As the leaf fades from the vine, And as a fading leaf from the fig tree.’ This kind of vivid language in respect of heavenly bodies comes regularly on Isaiah’s lips to describe both judgment and glory (see especially the parallel in Isaiah 13:10 when speaking of Babylon; and compare Isaiah 24:23; Isaiah 30:26; Isaiah 60:19-20). The ‘host of heaven’ could mean... read more