Isaiah 34:9-10

9 1And the streams of Edom[a] shall be turned into pitch, and her soil into sulfur; her land shall become burning pitch.
10 Night and day 2it shall not be quenched; 3its smoke shall go up forever. 4From generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it forever and ever.

Isaiah 34:9-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ISAIAH 34

This chapter is a prophecy of the destruction of all the antichristian nations of the world, and particularly of Rome, signified by Idumea; which is introduced with a call to a general attention to it, it being a very awful and solemn affair, Isa 34:1 utter and universal destruction is declared, as the effect of God's wrath, Isa 34:2 which is expressed by a dreadful scene of blood, to the melting of the mountains with it, and by the dissolution of the heavens, and the hosts of them, Isa 34:3,4 particularly the destruction of Idumea is denounced by the sword of the Lord being on it, and bathed with the blood, both of the common people, and of their princes, signified by various sorts of creatures, Isa 34:5-7 the cause of which is the Lord's vengeance for the controversy of his church and people, injured by Edom or Rome, Isa 34:8 whose desolate and calamitous state is represented as being like that of Sodom, Isa 34:9,10 and should be no more inhabited by men, nor governed by princes, but be the dwelling of wild beasts and unclean birds, Isa 34:11-15 all which is confirmed by the word and Spirit of God, Isa 34:16,17.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Deuteronomy 29:23
  • 2. Isaiah 66:24
  • 3. [Revelation 14:11; Revelation 18:18; Revelation 19:3]
  • 4. Malachi 1:4

Footnotes 1

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.