Isaiah 49:5

49:5 So now the Lord says,

the one who formed me from birth to be his servant –

he did this to restore Jacob to himself,

so that Israel might be gathered to him;

and I will be honored in the Lord’s sight,

for my God is my source of strength

Isaiah 63:1

The Victorious Divine Warrior

63:1 Who is this who comes from Edom,

dressed in bright red, coming from Bozrah?

Who is this one wearing royal attire,

who marches confidently because of his great strength?

“It is I, the one who announces vindication,

and who is able to deliver!” 10 


tn Heb “from the womb” (so KJV, NASB).

tn The words “he did this” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons. In the Hebrew text the infinitive construct of purpose is subordinated to the previous statement.

tn The vav (ו) + imperfect is translated here as a result clause; one might interpret it as indicating purpose, “and so I might be honored.”

tn Heb “and my God is [perhaps, “having been”] my strength.” The disjunctive structure (vav [ו] + subject + verb) is interpreted here as indicating a causal circumstantial clause.

sn Edom is here an archetype for the Lord’s enemies. See 34:5.

tn Heb “[in] bright red garments, from Bozrah.”

tn The interrogative particle is understood by ellipsis; note the first line of the verse.

tn Heb “honored in his clothing”; KJV, ASV “glorious in his apparel.”

tc The Hebrew text has צָעָה (tsaah), which means “stoop, bend” (51:14). The translation assumes an emendation to צָעַד (tsaad, “march”; see BDB 858 s.v. צָעָה).

10 tn Heb “I, [the one] speaking in vindication [or “righteousness”], great to deliver.”