Isaiah 59:17

17 And he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle.

Isaiah 59:17 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 59:17

For he put on righteousness as a breastplate
Here the Lord is represented as a warrior clothed with armour, and as Christ is, and as he will appear in the latter day on the behalf of his people, and against their enemies, who is called faithful and true, and in righteousness will make war, ( Revelation 19:11-13 ) , he will proceed according to justice and equity in righting the wrongs and avenging the injuries of his people; and both in saving them, and destroying their enemies, he will secure the honour of his faithfulness and justice, and the credit of his name and character; which will be preserved by his conduct, as the breast and inward parts are by the breastplate: and an helmet of salvation upon his head;
the salvation he will work out for his people will be very conspicuous; it will be seen by all, as the helmet on the head; and he will have the glory of it, on whose head are many crowns, ( Revelation 19:12 ) . The apostle has borrowed these phrases from hence, and applied them to the Christian armour, ( Ephesians 6:14 Ephesians 6:17 ) ( 1 Thessalonians 5:8 ) : and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing;
or, "he clothed himself with vengeance as a garment" F11; he wrapped himself in it, and resolved to execute it on his and his people's enemies; the time being come to avenge the blood of his servants, by shedding the blood of their adversaries, with which his garments will be stained; and therefore is represented as having on a vesture dipped in blood, ( Revelation 19:13 ) : and was clad with zeal as a cloak;
with zeal for his own glory, and the interest of his people, and against antichrist, and all antichristian worship and doctrine; and therefore his eyes are said to be as a flame of fire, ( Revelation 19:12 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F11 (Mqn ydgb vblyw) "et ultionem induit tanquam vestem", Tigurine version.

Isaiah 59:17 In-Context

15 Yea, truth is lacking; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey. And Jehovah saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.
16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his own arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it upheld him.
17 And he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a mantle.
18 According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense.
19 So shall they fear the name of Jehovah from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come as a rushing stream, which the breath of Jehovah driveth.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.