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Judgment on Edom
Isaiah 34:5–17 is prophecy and teaching about Yahweh’s judgment on Edom. It uses strong images of sword, sacrifice, burning land, and wild creatures to show complete overthrow and lasting desolation.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage stays focused on Edom, Bozrah, and Zion. Isaiah first speaks of Yahweh’s sword and sacrifice-like judgment, then describes the land becoming ruined and occupied by wild animals. It ends by grounding the outcome in Yahweh’s own command and allotment.
Isaiah 34:5–17Main takeaway
This prophecy teaches that Yahweh’s declared judgment on Edom is total, lasting, and established by his word.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A sword aimed at EdomThe opening image is Yahweh’s sword coming down from the sky on Edom. The verse explains the picture clearly: this is “judgment”.
Explanation
The opening image is Yahweh’s sword coming down from the sky on Edom. The verse explains the picture clearly: this is “judgment”. Edom is also called “the people of my curse”, so the prophecy begins by naming both the target and the reason.
02Judgment pictured as sacrificeThe next verses compare the judgment to a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in Edom.
Explanation
The next verses compare the judgment to a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in Edom. Blood, fat, lambs, goats, rams, oxen, and bulls all emphasise scale. Verse 8 adds that Yahweh has a day of vengeance and a year of recompense for Zion’s cause.
03A land that burns and lies wasteThe prophecy then turns from people to the land itself. Streams become pitch, dust becomes sulfur, and the land becomes burning pitch.
Explanation
The prophecy then turns from people to the land itself. Streams become pitch, dust becomes sulfur, and the land becomes burning pitch. The fire is not quenched, smoke keeps rising, and no one passes through. The picture is of ongoing ruin, not a brief blow.
04Ruins measured out for wild creaturesInstead of rulers and busy cities, wild creatures take over. Birds, jackals, ostriches, desert animals, wolves, snakes, and kites fill former palaces and fortresses.
Explanation
Instead of rulers and busy cities, wild creatures take over. Birds, jackals, ostriches, desert animals, wolves, snakes, and kites fill former palaces and fortresses. The “line of confusion” and “plumb line of emptiness” show that this desolation is measured out, not accidental.
05Yahweh’s word secures the outcomeThe passage ends by telling readers to search and read in the book of Yahweh. None of these creatures will be missing, because Yahweh’s mouth has commanded and his Spirit has gathered them.
Explanation
The passage ends by telling readers to search and read in the book of Yahweh. None of these creatures will be missing, because Yahweh’s mouth has commanded and his Spirit has gathered them. He has assigned the land to them, and they will possess it from generation to generation.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does Isaiah 34:5 explain the sword image?
The verse itself says the sword comes down on Edom “for judgment”.
02Which words show the land’s ruin is lasting?
Look for the unquenched burning, rising smoke, waste, and no passing through.
03Why does the passage say this desolation will surely happen?
It points to Yahweh’s command, his Spirit, and his dividing of the land.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Isaiah 34:5–17
5For my sword has drunk its fill in the sky. Behold, it will come down on Edom, and on the people of my curse, for judgment.
6Yahweh’s sword is filled with blood. It is covered with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams; for Yahweh has a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.
7The wild oxen will come down with them, and the young bulls with the mighty bulls; and their land will be drunken with blood, and their dust made greasy with fat.
8For Yahweh has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.
9Its streams will be turned into pitch, its dust into sulfur, and its land will become burning pitch.
10It won’t be quenched night or day. Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation, it will lie waste. No one will pass through it forever and ever.
11But the pelican and the porcupine will possess it. The owl and the raven will dwell in it. He will stretch the line of confusion over it, and the plumb line of emptiness.
12They shall call its nobles to the kingdom, but none shall be there; and all its princes shall be nothing.
13Thorns will come up in its palaces, nettles and thistles in its fortresses; and it will be a habitation of jackals, a court for ostriches.
14The wild animals of the desert will meet with the wolves, and the wild goat will cry to his fellow. Yes, the night creature shall settle there, and shall find herself a place of rest.
15The arrow snake will make her nest there, and lay, hatch, and gather under her shade. Yes, the kites will be gathered there, every one with her mate.
16Search in the book of Yahweh, and read: not one of these will be missing. None will lack her mate. For my mouth has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them.
17He has cast the lot for them, and his hand has divided it to them with a measuring line. They shall possess it forever. From generation to generation they will dwell in it.