Isaiah 34:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.

NIV: For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause.

NASB: For the Lord has a day of vengeance, A year of retribution for the cause of Zion.

CSB: For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a time of paying back Edom for its hostility against Zion.

NLT: For it is the day of the Lord’s revenge, the year when Edom will be paid back for all it did to Israel.

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

NKJV: For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion.

Isaiah 34:5–17 narrows God's intense judgment to the nation of Edom. This kingdom descended from Esau (Genesis 25:23–26; 31:1). Edom frequently opposed and harmed Israel. The Lord's judgment would come exactly when He planned. None of Edom's strengths will save them. The kingdom will be shattered and even the land, itself, will fall into ruin and decay.

The Lord is enraged against the godless nations who have rejected Him. In the end times, He will devoted all the unbelieving peoples of the earth to destruction and slaughter (Revelation 19:15–18). After judging heaven and earth, God will turn His wrath on Edom. They will be destroyed as thoroughly as if they were animals sacrificed on an altar. Even the land and soil will be ruined so no one dares even cross the territory. Only animals will live there. This is all part of the Lord's divine plan and purpose.

This is part of an announcement of the Lord's judgment against the pagan, godless nations of earth (Isaiah 33). This passage focuses specifically on Edom (Genesis 36:1). God's bloody sword of judgment will turn to Edom and utterly destroy it. Even the environment will be spoiled. None will even dare cross the territory, other than the various animals God will allow to reclaim the land., This matches descriptions of Christ's return and millennial rule (Revelation 19:15–18).

Isaiah is among the most important prophetic books in the entire Bible. The first segment details God's impending judgment against ancient peoples for sin and idolatry (Isaiah 1—35). The second part of Isaiah briefly explains a failed assault on Jerusalem during the rule of Hezekiah (Isaiah 36—39). The final chapters predict Israel's rescue from Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 40—48), the promised Messiah (Isaiah 49—57), and the final glory of Jerusalem and God's people (Isaiah 58—66).

Accessed 4/22/2026 6:36:32 PM