Isaiah 34:5,6 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For my sword shall be bathed In the blood of these people; in heaven Where God dwells; in which this is said to be done, because it was there decreed and appointed. Or, it shall, as it were, be sharpened and made ready in heaven, to bathe itself on earth. It shall come down upon Idumea Upon the Edomites, who, though they were nearly related to the Israelites, yet were their implacable enemies. But these are named for all the enemies of God's church, of whom they were an eminent type. The people of my curse Whom I have devoted to utter destruction, as the word properly signifies. The sword of the Lord is filled with blood Shall drink its fill of blood. The metaphor is taken from a great glutton, who is almost insatiable, With the blood of lambs, &c. By lambs, and goats, and rams, he means people of all ranks and conditions, high and low, rich and poor. Dr. Waterland renders the verse, “When my sword in heaven is bathed, behold it shall sink deep into Idumea, into the people whom I have devoted to judgment.” For the Lord hath a sacrifice So the prophet terms this bloody work, because it was done by God's command, and for the honour of his justice and righteous government, and therefore was a service acceptable to him; in Bozrah A chief city of Edom, (Isaiah 63:1,) and a type of those cities which should be most hostile to God's people.