Isaiah 59:17

17 For he put on righteousness as a breast-plate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance [for] clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

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 Yes, truth faileth; and he [that] departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw [it], and it displeased him that [there was] no judgment.
16 And he saw that [there was] no man, and wondered that [there was] no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
17 For he put on righteousness as a breast-plate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance [for] clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
18 According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the isles he will repay recompense.
19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
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