Isaiah 63:1 - Exposition

Who is this? The prophet opens the dialogue with an inquiry, "Who is it that presents himself before him suddenly in a strange guise?" He comes from Edom, from Bozrah —a principal Edomite city (see the comment on Isaiah 34:6 )— with dyed garments ; or, rather, with blood-red garments—garments incarnadined with gore. "Who is this," again he asks, "that is glorious (or, splendid ) in his apparel"—the blood-stained vesture of the conqueror was a glory to him ( Nahum 2:3 ; Revelation 19:13 )—"as he travels" (or, "bends forward" ) in the greatness of his strength —exhibiting in his movements a mighty indomitable strength? Who is it? The reply is immediate— I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save ; i.e. I, whose every word is "holy, just, and true," who alone am able to "save to the uttermost all that come to me" ( Hebrews 7:25 ). The answer unmistakably indicates that the figure which has appeared to the prophet is that of Jehovah.